sue osborn
DoD Warrior Games 2024 Team Australia Competitor
ADF service: I joined the Australian Army in 1993, initially as a Medic before transferring to Artillery to become an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator in 2009. I had a very fortunate career, with a couple of highlights including being a Recruit Instructor at Kapooka, Drill Instructor at Duntroon and achieving my parachute qualifications as part of the Parachute Surgical Team. I spent time in the United States and New Zealand and deployed to the Solomon Islands in 1995, East Timor in 2002 and Afghanistan in 2010 and 2012.
Other information: I am employed part-time as a Senior Consultant at Mirragin Consulting, a drone, robotics, and artificial intelligence company. I live on the Gold Coast with my partner, Renee, and eight-year-old daughter, Bella.
Age: 48
Hometown: Gold Coast, Queensland
Current town: Gold Coast, Queensland
Competing in: Athletics, powerlifting, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball
What is the nature of your injury or illness? I have severe arthritis in my ankles, knees, lumbar and spine because of my service. I had a full knee replacement and will have an ankle replacement later this year and the other knee replaced in 2025. I have tinnitus and I’m partially deaf in one ear.
Sport background? Sport was my life. I was a nipper in surf life saving from childhood, before playing competitive touch football from age 15. I represented the ADF at national levels in soccer, rugby union, AFL and touch football. I also played rugby league in Sydney and represented NSW.
What role has sport played in your rehabilitation? Until this year, I refrained from playing sports due to injuries sustained since 2009. However, upon attending the first selection camp and engaging in wheelchair rugby and basketball, it felt as though my previous sporting life had been resurrected. Suddenly, I envisioned a future where sport played a significant role once again.
How did you feel when you were told you made the Warrior Games team? It was a mix of emotions - pride, gratitude, excitement and some disbelief. I miss the camaraderie of team sport and I’m pumped to be involved in training that is not just for rehabilitation.
What is your greatest achievement to date? Overcoming the heartache of loss and succeeding in life after service.
Why did you apply for Warrior Games? I wanted to find a way back to doing the things I love and miss from team sport.
What will “winning” look like for you at the Games? A team of lifelong friends.
Who is supporting you at the Games? I will be unaccompanied at the Games, but my partner and daughter are supporting me with family, friends and neighbours back home.
