Why not join ... Special Olympics Echuca

In today’s edition, Oliver Shedden speaks to Special Olympics Echuca.

A sense of achievement, purpose and joy are some of the words used by long-time member and treasurer Sue Hawkins to describe what both volunteers and athletes can get out of joining Special Olympics Echuca.

Established in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy in United States as a platform for people with intellectual disabilities and autism to participate in sport, it took just eight years for the organisation to land in Australia.

What began as a representation of one gymnastics athlete in the Loddon-Campaspe area at the 1993 state games, quickly emerged into Echuca establishing its own branch in 1996.

Now, almost three decades later, Speical Olympics Echuca has 41 athletes across six sports including gymnastics, aquatics, golf, bowling, bocce and netball.

Hawkins, whose daughter was one of two rhythmic gymnasts to compete in 1994, has been involved with the Echuca branch since its inception and is on the committee and manages the bocce team.

“I think both the the athletes and volunteers get a real sense of achievement out of it,” Hawkins said of her favourite moments volunteering for Special Olympics Echuca.

“Seeing the athletes reach their full potential, make new friends, achieve their goals are some of my fondest memories with the branch.

“Every time we go to either regional, state or world games, and they play the opening ceremony, it brings me to tears.”

The club has athletes that compete in regional games twice a year, state games once a year and national games every four years.

Athletes who perform well at the regional games are selected for state games, and the national games team is made up of high performers from the state games the year prior.

This year’s Victorian state games will be held in Ballarat, with Melbourne set to host the 2026 national games.

Echuca Special Olympics athlete Kellianne Ludby is a perfect example of the success to be had as part of the organisation.

She has been participating since 1998 and has attended six national games and hosts of state and regional games across a multitude of different sports such as bocce, bowling and gymnastics.

“It’s great fun, I like meeting new people, being involved and enjoy staying active and getting to do what I love,” she said.

“I have done six national games all over Australia, and I am hoping to get chosen for the games next year.

“I’ve loved being able to travel all over to go to the national games, I haven’t really got a favourite, but I enjoyed getting to go to new places.”

For all that the Special Olympics Echuca athletes achieve, it couldn’t be possible without the assistance and support of 27 dedicated volunteers.

But it is not enough — the volunteers are stretched thin and need more help so that the athletes can shine in all of their sports.

“We want to encourage any volunteers and athletes looking for a friendly, positive environment to come and join us. We are currently low on volunteers in particular,” Hawkins said.

“We have 27 volunteers currently, that includes the committee, so we are spread pretty thinly.

“Volunteers can choose which sport they are interested in, bocce and netball in particular needs more support.

“If any volunteers weren’t as interested in being hands-on with the support, we are more than happy for people to come and join the committee and the administrative side of Special Olympics too.

“There are many people out there with an intellectual disability and might not think they can play any sport, but we want to encourage them to come and give it a try.”

The major event for Special Olympics Echuca this year will be its Polar Plunge held at Moama Beach on Sunday, August 3.

If you wish to get involved, contact Echuca chair Ross Whelan at echuca.chair@specialolympics.com.au