Julianne O’Dea (nee Chapman) has been a keen netballer from a very young age, starting her playing career in the local Orroroo Association in 1970. In 1972 when Orroroo joined the Northern Areas Association, she began her netball for Orroroo Netball Club in the D Grade at the age of 11. Her first three years were rewarded with three premierships and three best and fairest awards. In 1975 at the age of 14 she started playing for Orroroo’s A grade netball team as a centre court player. She managed to achieve Runner Up best and fairest at the end of the season. It wasn’t until 1984 that she was a part of, and coach of the A grade team that won the premiership.
Over the 49 years of her senior netball career she has racked up over 770 senior games, won 10 premierships, won 12 club best and fairest, and a handful of runner up trophies, the last Best and Fairest in 2018 at the age of 58. She also represented NANA a total of 10 times at the Netball SA Country Championships.
When she reached her 750 game milestone the club president said ‘Regardless of what spot she lines up in from week to week, she is an instrumental part of her teams regular success with extreme netball smarts, lightning passes and agility. Julianne was honoured with life membership to the Orroroo Netball Club in 2001 for her contribution as a coach, official, delegate and umpiring.
Her dedication and commitment to the club was recognised in the community when she was awarded Citizen of the Year in 2016.
Although netball was her preferred sport she also managed to play in a number of Morchard and Pekina Tennis Club premierships. She was heavily involved in playing, managed junior teams and held official positions, assisted in many busy bees and was well known for her Vanilla Slice provided at afternoon tea. She was awarded Life Membership by the Pekina Tennis Club in 2019.
She has spent many years teaching at the Orroroo Area School, beginning her appointment in 1983. She has taught in many year levels ranging form Year 1 to Year 12 and has been in leadership for over 15 years. Many young, local people have been part of her classes over her long tenure at the school.