Motorsport events rely on a dedicated team of officials working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.

At the 2025 Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix, some of the most crucial roles were filled by experienced officials like Kaye Callander, Assistant Clerk of Course, and Emily-Kate Williams, Assistant Secretary of the Event. Their journey into officiating, and the passion they bring to the role, highlights the vital contributions of volunteer officials to the sport.

In 2025, nearly 30% of Motorsport Australia Officials at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix were women. With women like Kaye and Emily-Kate leading the way, it’s clear that more women are stepping up and making their mark in motorsport.

From administration to trackside: Emily-Kate Williams

For Emily-Kate Williams, a love of motorsport quickly turned into a hands-on volunteer career. After initially completing an internship with Supercars, she became deeply involved in the administration side of motorsport, working her way up through various officiating roles.

“After my internship, I got involved in race operations and administration,” Emily-Kate explained.

“I started volunteering at events and got to experience roles such as flag marshal, pit lane official, and scrutineer. Eventually, I transitioned into stewarding, and also my current role as Assistant Secretary of the Event.”

Her responsibilities include distributing critical information such as grid sheets and race timings, ensuring officials are informed and operations run smoothly. Working behind the scenes, she plays a key role in event coordination, ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right time.

Although she only began officiating in 2022, Emily-Kate is already making an impact.

“This is my second Grand Prix in this role, and I’m excited to keep growing my experience and meeting more people in the sport.”

Decades of experience: Kaye Callander

Unlike Emily-Kate, Kaye Callander has been involved in motorsport for more than 30 years. Her journey began in 1993 when a colleague invited her to volunteer at a local event. Since then, she has worked her way through multiple roles, from trackside flag marshal to sector marshal, before stepping into race control.

“My first event was at Amaroo Park, and I haven’t stopped since,” Kaye said.

“I’ve worked as a communications chief, emergency coordinator, and now Assistant Clerk of Course.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to officiate at major events like IndyCar on the Gold Coast back in the day, Clerk of Course and Deputy Clerk of Course at Supercars rounds across the country and Deputy Race Director for GTWC Australia.”

As Assistant Clerk of Course at the Australian Grand Prix, Kaye is responsible for race control operations, ensuring the event runs on time and addressing incidents on track.

“From race control we coordinate response teams, dispatch recovery and medical vehicles, and make sure the race schedule stays on track and ensure the safety of our officials and the drivers at all times. Race control is the nerve centre of the event.”

With decades of experience, Kaye has seen the motorsport officiating community grow.

“The best part is the people. You make lifelong friends in this sport. It truly is a motorsport family.”

For both Emily-Kate and Kaye, officiating is about more than just logistics, it’s about being part of the action.

“There’s nothing quite like the buzz of an event,” Emily-Kate said.

“From the early mornings to the final chequered flag, there’s an energy that makes every Grand Prix special.”

For Kaye, some of her most memorable moments have come from unique experiences behind the scenes.

“One of my favourite memories was getting to ride around Eastern Creek in a Ferrari F40 with Sir Stirling Moss. Another was travelling around Bathurst in an army tank. Motorsport has taken me to incredible places and given me unforgettable experiences.”

Advice for aspiring Officials

For anyone interested in getting involved, Emily-Kate encourages newcomers to try different disciplines.

“Don’t just stick to one thing, try rallying, circuit racing and off-road events. Club and State rounds are the best place to learn, and they’ll help you develop the skills needed for bigger events.”

Kaye agrees, adding, “Just do it. It’s the best seat in the house.”

Get involved

Officials are the backbone of motorsport events, and there are plenty of opportunities to join the action. Whether you’re interested in race administration, trackside roles, or even working in race control, becoming an official is an exciting and rewarding way to be part of motorsport.

With over 12,000 accredited officials, Motorsport Australia offers various pathways for those passionate about motorsport to get involved and make a difference.

For more information on how to become a volunteer official visit motorsport.org.au/officials