A PASSION for children and athletics was the motivation for Lynne O’Donnell to help start the Rosewood Little Athletics Club in 1986.
Lynne played an instrumental role in forming the club in conjunction with Ken Marsh and Alan Jones.
The first season was held in 1987 at the Rosewood State School field on Saturday mornings with very limited equipment and a small number of athletes.
There were many things to organise such as uniforms and additional equipment.
Many colours were discussed for the uniforms until Athletics Queensland approved, aqua blue and camel singlets with black shorts.
Lynne recalls many raffles and fundraisers that were held to raise money for the club and their fundraising efforts helped spread the word of the new athletics club in town.
“The parents were heavily involved in all areas of ensuring the club was successful,” she added.
“We undertook mowing and marking the field, and all of the results were hand written with tickets given out for the athletes to keep records of their achievements from week to week.
“My children competed in the club, so it was a real family affair and it was great to be involved in something with so many people.”
In 1991, Lynne left the club, though she was still kept in the loop with how the athletes and the club was going.
This year Lynne was welcomed back to the club for their presentation night and she said that it was a real walk down memory lane.
