Although the athletics champion resides in South East Queensland, a family connection in the North West has prompted the entire town to adopt her as an honorary Julia Creek hero. 

Joye’s grandmother Lynn has lived in the region since the 1980s.

She said when Joye was young she spent plenty of time in the back paddocks of their McKinlay property over school holidays and Christmas vacations. 

“I live in town now but I used to be out at a property south of Nelia called Alexmere Station and they [Hannah and her brother] used to visit me out there on school holidays,” she said. 

“I had goats and when they were little they would play with the goats.” 

Lynn Joye said she was excited to see her granddaughter compete in Glasgow and was proud of her achievements. 

“She’s been everywhere: Tasmania, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Townsville competing,” she said.

“She started [high jump] when she was about seven years old.

“I’m very excited and very proud of her too.”

The whole Joye family have responded to the well-wishers on McKinlay Shire Council’s Facebook Page that have made the star athlete their own mascot for the Commonwealth Games. 

Joye even responded to posts from locals after picking up on the #gohannah hashtag used by Julia Creek and McKinlay supporters to send their encouragement. 

“Thank you! I am very blessed to have support all the way up north where my grandmother lives! Love the pics too,” she said in a message.

Joye’s personal best jump is 1.89m; a record set at the Gold Coast All-Comers meet on 28 June.

You can catch Hannah Joye jump at 7.45pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time) tonight on Channel 10. 

If Joye makes it through to the final she will jump again on August 2.