CASTERTON’S golden girl is writing a new chapter in history, selected for her fifth Commonwealth Games campaign.

Athletics Australia yesterday announced home-town hero, Kathryn Mitchell, among 53 track and field athletes for its Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games squad.

The new selections boost the Australian athletics team to a total of 85 competitors, comprising 69 able-bodied athletes and 16 para-athletes.

Reigning Commonwealth javelin champion, Kathryn joins marathoner Eloise Wellings as Australia’s first track and field athletes to compete at five Commonwealth Games.

The team also includes Gold Coast 2018 gold medallist, Brandon Starc (high jump), Tokyo 2020 breakthrough star, Rohan Browning (100m), as well as a bevy of games medallists, including long jumpers Henry Frayne and Brooke Buschkuehl (nee Stratton), Alexandra Hulley (hammer throw) and Jessica Stenson (nee Trengove).

Chatting with the Casterton News on messenger following yesterday’s announcement, Kathryn said there was “no way” she had ever thought about making it to five Commonwealth Games.

“Even at my first Commonwealth Games in Melbourne ‘06, if you told me I would line up again in 2022, I wouldn’t believe it, but here we are,” she said.

“I didn’t even realise I was the first athlete with Eloise to make five games.

“Making history is nice - if I get to do it on this wild adventure called life, then why not!”

The 39-year-old has had a tumultuous three years through Covid-19 restrictions, including the loss of her mum, Robyn, to cancer, but said the journey had also been an important lesson in expectations.

“The last three years has been some of the hardest ever,” she said.

“I’ve been fairly disoriented after the passing of mum and struggled to find enjoyment and motivation in much.

“Training is going better now, but I started the season very late … I have no expectations.

“The last three years have taught me that life can change direction very quickly so I’m now just trying to do my best and accept what comes my way.”

Just days prior to the Birmingham announcement, a small group gathered for an unofficial, ‘mini-unveiling’ of a new home-town tribute to its Golden Girl.

Lyons-based metal artist, Jon Dixon, was commissioned by Glenelg Shire Council to create a sculpture in Kathryn’s honour for placement at Island Park.

Based on the world-famous photo of Kathryn just before she released the gold-medal-winning throw at the 2018 games, the sculpture was installed at Island Park last week – complete with her trademark hairstyle.

“You can’t miss that it’s Kathryn, with that fringe that everyone knows,” Glenelg Shire Councillor, Karen Stephens said.

“And the way the sculpture is positioned, she’s about to launch that javelin right into the middle of Island Park number one oval, where she started her athletics as a school-girl here.”

Also on-site to view the new artwork, was Kathryn’s stepdad, Kevin Winch, who said the family was “so proud” of her achievements and delighted that she would be honoured in such a way, by her home town.

An emotional Mr Winch also said his late wife and Kathryn’s mum, Robyn, would have “loved it”.

Thanks to modern technology, Kathryn has also had a good look at her doppelganger and is delighted with the result/.

“I was sent a photo of the sculpture the other day and it’s amazing,” she said.

“The artist has done a perfect job and I wouldn’t change a thing.

“It’s a bit surreal to see it standing in place - it’s such an honour and I’m humbled by the community support and respect.

“I wish Mum could see it, I’m sure she’s looking down.”

Kathryn and her teammates will join the Australian team in Birmingham next month, for the games kick-off on July 28 and she hopes to head ‘home’ to Australia, later this year.

“I won’t be home from overseas until mid/end of September, but I’m excited to see the sculpture in real life," she said.