But Milton’s Marina Dixon has attracted accolades from around the globe for her portrayal of the mother of Jesus in Friday’s Stations of the Cross.

The event was one of the highlights of World Youth Day celebrations and was watched by more than 250,000 pilgrims on the streets of Sydney, and approximately 500 million television viewers around the world.

Marina, 27, described it as an amazing experience that would remain with her for the rest of her life.

Speaking through her parents this week, she thanked the Catholic Church, her home church prayer family and her family and friends for their support.

The beautician had little acting experience before being awarded the role of Mary earlier this year.

Rehearsals for the event started in April with Marina relocating to Sydney six weeks ago to focus on the role.

Marina’s mother Nano, who travelled to Sydney for the week, said her daughter had been anything but nervous leading up to Friday’s three-hour performance.

She said her daughter had been “calm and confident” – probably because she was enjoying herself so much.

Proud father Bill added that after so many rehearsals, Marina knew exactly what she had to do.

Marina was exhausted after the event but still had a number of media and other official WYD08 engagements up until Monday.

She was expected to gather with other Stations of the Cross cast members to view the television coverage for the first time last night.

Mr Dixon said feedback to Marina’s performance from family and friends had been overwhelming.

“It was a great bit of theatre, very dramatic and emotional,” he said yesterday.

President of the local Catholic Women’s League, Diana Lyon, described Marina as a “beautiful girl” whose portrayal of Mary had been impressive.

Mrs Lyon said she had watched the first two stations from a dentist’s chair and that “watching the pain of Jesus Christ being played out on stage” had taken away her own pain.

Local Catholic Joe Hallahan congratulated Marina on her role and said she had brought due recognition to her skills, her family and to the district.