Donna Smith’s contribution to Little Athletics in Queensland has been instrumental in guiding the strategic direction of our Association over the past 31 years. She has dedicated a significant amount of time to our sport through her involvement at Centre, Zone, Regional, State and National level.

She first became involved in Queensland when she joined her children with Emerald Little Athletics Centre in Central Queensland. She was with the Centre from 1993-1997 and was the Centre Coach during this time. In 1998, her family moved to Brisbane and she joined Redlands Little Athletics Centre. Throughout her time with Redlands, she held numerous positions on their Committee, including Centre Manager from 2002-2005.

Donna was a regular delegate for her Centre at LAQ Conferences in the early 2000’s and was not afraid to speak openly and passionately about topics she believed were important for the development of athletes, Centres and volunteers.

Donna was highly active at Zone / Regional level, holding the position of Zone Co-ordinator on several occasions and was a key official within her Region at all events. She was a mentor for up-and-coming officials and built up a wonderful rapport with the not only other Centre representatives and volunteers, but also with athletes from Centres within her Region.

In 2003, Donna was appointed to the LAQ Officials Committee and served on this committee until 2016. During her time on the Committee, she served as the Committee Chair from 2005 – 2012.

Donna’s thirst for knowledge and her keen interest the growth and development of the Association saw her elected to the LAQ Board as a Casual Vacancy in 2006. She was a General Director until 2012. During this time from 2009 – 2011 she was voted into the role of LAQ Vice President.

For her unwavering commitment and service to LAQ at Centre, Region and State level, Donna was awarded the LAQ Distinguished Merit Award in 2012.

Donna left the LAQ Board briefly from 2012 – 2014 before being re-elected by the members as President in 2016. She has held the position of President from 2016 to the present day. During her time as President, Donna has been on the forefront of bringing our sport into the 21^st century and has been the driving force behind many changes within our Association.

She has extensively travelled the State during her time as President to see firsthand the amazing work done by our Centre committees and volunteers and makes it her priority to understand the needs of our Centres and Committees so that our Association can find ways to better develop and simplify our processes to make the workload easier for our volunteers. It has given Donna a great insight into the issues faced by our Regional Centres and allowed her to build rapport with our Committees and volunteers right across the State.

During COVID, with the help of then CEO, Simon Cook, Donna steered the Association through what was very unfamiliar waters. While this period had a dramatic effect on all levels of the Association, Donna was instrumental in assisting with blueprints and industry event plans for each stage of restrictions, which allowed Centres to return to operation and our athletes to return to our sport.

Donna is also passionate about officiating and officials education. In the mid 2000’s, while serving on the LAQ Officials Committee, she was part of the major rewrite of the LAQ Officials Handbook. She travelled the State to present and deliver officials courses and exams at our Centres, including the Introduction to Officiating workshops. She has also been heavily involved in mentoring several officials at both State and Regional competitions over many years.

For many years, Donna was appointed as LAQ’s Officials Manager for all Association events. On top of this, Donna was (and still is) a highly respected and admired official. Not only does she still help at her Centre, but she also assists and officiates at Regional, State and National competitions and was appointed as an Official at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

In 2013, for her outstanding contributions to LAQ as an official, she received LAQ’s Alison Quirke Official of the Year award.

Nationally, Donna was a member of the National Officials Committee and during her time on this committee was an integral part of creating and writing the first Little Athletics Australia national officials accreditation learning platform. She has been heavily involved in the Australian Little Athletics Championships on the past three occasions it has been held in Queensland, and still assists as an official each year at the competitions, most recently in Adelaide in April 2024.

Donna was a member of the Little Athletics Australia Board for many years and attended regular meetings during this period. At all times, Donna acted in the best interest of LAQ at these meetings. She has never been afraid to speak her mind and give her opinion on topics that were controversial, as long as there was a benefit for not only LAQ and athletes, but the sport of Little Athletics in general.

Donna has also been unwavering when she believes something is worth fighting for, for the betterment of our Association. During the One Athletics merger meetings, Donna was not afraid to ask questions to seek further clarification for our members, rather than simply assuming the grey in the detail.

Even though Donna has been President since 2016 and heavily involved at a national level, she still volunteers her time at Redlands Little Athletics Centre when she can. For her commitment and contribution to their Centre, Redlands awarded her Life Membership in 2018.

Donna has provided leadership and guidance to the Board throughout her time as President. She has been a mentor for other directors and is well respected and admired by other members of the Board as well as LAQ staff, who have had wonderful working relationships with Donna throughout her tenure as President.

In Donna’s own words, ‘it has been an honour and privilege to serve the members of the Little Athletics community in Queensland throughout my time as President.’

She has thoroughly enjoyed her time in the top spot and is thankful for the friendships she has made throughout her 30 years within our sport.

Donna has been fiercely loyal to our sport at Centre, Regional, State and National levels and passionate in her resolve of critical issues that are of benefit to our Association. She has given highly meritorious service to our organisation and been instrumental in the growth and development of Little Athletics in Queensland for over 30 years. She has been a dedicated servant of our sport and her loyalty and unwavering support to the sport is to be admired and commended. She is a thoroughly deserving candidate for LAQ Life Membership.