Claire Osborn – Little Aths Local Legend
Published on 17 July 2024
Claire Osborne never had to look far to find her reason for having been the driving force behind formation of Surf Coast Little Athletics Club.
She just had to witness kids in action, striving on their new field of dreams.
“I would say that I found it overwhelmingly emotional at times,” Claire says.
“It just made me so happy to see them.
“I suppose even into life aspirations, you could see some of them wanting to pursue Olympic representation of their country through their experience of doing Little Aths, and it’s not so far-fetched.
“We’ve got locals of the likes of Ellie Pashley who have represented Australia at the Olympics, and she was a Little Aths member in her home town.
“Part of it is also celebrating the talent that we have within our community. It just makes you incredibly proud of what we have to celebrate here in our special little spot.”
Surf Coast Little Athletics launched three years ago, largely on the back of Claire’s years of groundwork, and now has more than 150 young members.
“I wanted something that would be available for my young kids to do in years to come, and felt that living in such an active community it would benefit so many kids and their families,” she says.
Her selfless devotion to the cause has qualified her as Surf Coast Shire’s latest Local Legend, recognising her contributions to helping young people to thrive, and encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.
“Claire Osborn has selflessly and tirelessly volunteered so much time for three years to start up Surf Coast Little Athletics and been the sole organiser, including getting sites, equipment, paperwork, communications, joining in regional and state relays, aths comps and so much more,” her nominee said.
“So many families have benefited so much from having this in the community already, and will continue to do so into the future.
“She has just seen something that would be so good for our community and tackled the mammoth task.”
Claire works as a paramedic and is team manager at Ambulance Victoria’s Armstrong Creek branch.
She has four young children and started the Little Aths project while on maternity leave.
“When I was on leave from work it was more than a full-time job,” she says.
“It was until all hours of the morning, but it wasn’t just me putting in that level of work. There were other people putting in just as much at that time.”
Claire participated in Little Aths at Box Hill in younger days and treasures what it gave her.
“It’s something that if you love it when you’re a child it can be a lifelong love,” she says.
“That’s what I love about it, you don’t necessarily have to stick to it for it to have a lasting impression.
“I just thought our community would benefit from having something like that accessible, because I felt that families who would like to participate were not participating because of logistics, with the closest centres being in Geelong or Colac.
“One thing I noticed when talking with parents who were keen to enrol their children is that much like me they had such fond memories of the friendships they formed in Little Aths.”
Claire launched her mission to form the Surf Coast centre with a community survey and public call-out for foundation committee members.
“I think it’s that foundation committee that should be most celebrated because without the support of those people and their commitment saying yes, I’m going to volunteer my time and skills to make this happen then it absolutely would not have happened,” she says.
“It is very nice to have been identified for the Local Legend award by my family in Little Aths but it is very much a group contribution to making this happen.”
Having welcomed her fourth child Claire has now stepped away from her central role, content that Surf Coast Little Aths is off and running in good hands.
She is proud to have made a difference for all of the kids striving on their new field of dreams.