And on Monday morning, after a hit of tennis, Ms Sillence and her training partners Wendy Gorman, Tony Hopkins and Peter Stokes celebrated her gold medal with morning tea and a coffee.

Ms Sillence and her training troupe agreed that training through gale-force winds and cold conditions prepared her for the best the world had to offer.

She also plays in the local A-grade competition on Thursdays as part of the Bowral 4 team.

Along with her doubles partner Stephanie Bowler from the Central Coast, NSW, Ms Sillence claimed the ladies over-40s gold medal in a hard-fought final.

The two pairs were locked at one set apiece, before Ms Sillence and Ms Bowler claimed the match 10-6 in a super tiebreak.

But the win signified more than just a medal.

It capped what has been a successful move to the Southern Highlands.

“I moved down here back two years ago,” she said.

“And I absolutely love it here.

“The pace of life, the community spirit makes it such a good place to be.”

Ms Sillence said her beloved golden retriever Max had also played an important role in helping her meet other Highlanders.

Now she is a member of the Wingecarribee Tennis Assoc, the Garden Society and the Southern Highlands Computer Users group, among others.

“There is so much to do down here if you choose to get involved,” she said.

And then there is always having a coffee with your hitting partners.

Do you know of anyone who picked up a medal at last week’s World Masters Games? If so, contact sports reporter Anthony Macdonald at the News.