Paul joined Aspley Centre in 1980 with his three children and served as Centre Manager for 17 years from 1983 to 2000. He was the driving force behind the success of the Centre over many years.

Over the years, Paul served on a number of LAQ committees, including Officials Education, Financial Affairs and the Discipline Tribunal. In 2000, Paul was elected to the Board of LAQ, where he served as the Officials Education Director for two years.

Paul was a highly regarded official and took on the role of Track Referee and Arena Manager at Zone level and Track Referee for LAQ from 1991 until the 2011 season. He was also a mentor for many upcoming track officials. In Paul’s era, the Met North Zone provided most of our track officials due to his encouragement and mentoring.

At LAQ Conferences, Paul was invaluable as a Centre delegate due to his intricate knowledge of Constitutional law. The words ‘point of order Madam President’ are still spoken about to this day!

Beyond Little Athletics, Paul was the Controller for the Mather’s Fun Run, President of Kedron Wavell Services Club and President of Clubs Queensland. Through his appointment at Clubs Queensland, he was instrumental in guiding Centres with their funding applications to local and state governments.

Paul has been rewarded with many honours and awards for his contribution to Little Athletics. Aspley Little Athletics Centre renamed their oval to Paul O’Brien Oval in 1999 in recognition of Paul’s outstanding contribution to the Centre.

He was also awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1993.

Other awards Paul received include:
• Aspley Little Athletics Centre Life Membership
• LAQ Distinguished Merit Award 1991
• LAQ Life Membership 2002
• Order of Australia Medal 1993
• Premier of Queensland Sports Foundation Service to Sport Award 2000
• National Sports Medal 2001
• Kedron Wavell Services Club Life Member

Paul was heavily involved with senior athletics over many years and was made a Life Member of Queensland Athletics in 2004.

Paul was a tremendous servant to Little Athletics for 33 years. Sadly, he passed away in 2013.