Charlotte Adrichem is a Year 12 student making voluntary contributions towards Little Athletics and Parkrun, and in between she works as a McDonald’s Area Leader and Crew Coach.
Charlotte became a Little Athlete when she joined the program for girls and boys aged 5 to 15 and participated at the Meadowglen International Athletics Stadium in all the events, including high jump, running, discus, and shot put.
Charlotte participated in the program until she was ‘aged out,’ but continued as a volunteer coach.
“I loved it so much that I returned [even though I wasn’t competing], to coach two of the clubs, and help with the On Track Program that runs every Saturday. I even completed a course to become certified as a Level 2 Youth Athletics Coach,” she said.
Next came the Parkrun community event, a free weekly activity where participants can walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate, and it’s entirely organised by volunteers.
Charlotte joined her mother on the 5K run on many occasions, and enjoyed assisting her mother with the voluntary behind-the-scene roles even more, which included processing results, organising other volunteers, and conducting the run brief to all participants.
“Before I was 18, my mum had to volunteer with me since I was too young to do it on my own, but right after my birthday I did it independently. That was super rewarding because it proved that I was capable of the responsibility both to myself and to other people,” she said.
Soon, Charlotte became Director of the junior Parkrun group, and her high energy levels helped her to keep up with the 4 to 14 age group on their weekly 2K run.
“As a Run Director at Mernda Parkrun, my favourite events to run would be the ‘special’ days. I’m talking about occasions such as Grand Final Day, Christmas Day, and Easter,” she said.
As Crew Coach at Mernda McDonald’s, Charlotte leads a team of up to five staff, and she enjoys making their work experience memorable for all the right reasons.
“I love when we get new crew at work because I get to hear about their lives and get to know so many people,” she said.
Studies and school captaincy keep Charlotte busy, and following her formal education she plans to become an osteopath to help people get the best out of their bodies.
Charlotte said she was able to balance her commitments because she has a flexible employer.
“When people would ask me how work was going, I’d say ‘I’m McLovin’ it’, because I thought it was really funny! They’d then tell me that I’d get sick of it eventually, but I still haven’t,” she said.
The Review would like to congratulate Charlotte on being celebrated for International Youth Day, and to wish her all the best for her future.
