Rhonda O’Sign: Former Little Athletics Tasmania president learns fate for defrauding organisation

“It does appear that a desire to live beyond her means was part of her motivation”: A former president of Little Athletics Tasmania has learnt her fate for defrauding the organisation of more than $10,000.

Low Head woman Rhonda Ruth O'Sign has pleaded guilty to defrauding Little Athletics Tasmania of more than $10,000.

A former president of Little Athletics Tasmania who defrauded the volunteer organisation of more than $10,000, including money “children worked long hours” to raise, has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Chief Justice Alan Blow sentenced Rhonda Ruth O’Sign, 63, of Low Head, to three months’ imprisonment, suspended on condition that she does not re-offend for two years and ordered her to perform 140 hours of community service.

O’Sign had pleaded guilty to five fraud and stealing charges committed between 2016 and 2018.

Justice Blow said O’Sign, who spent the money on things for herself “including sportswear, cosmetics, books, clothes, toys, oils, and tickets to events”, had repaid all the money.

“The amounts misappropriated by Ms O’Sign were not large, but a lot of work went into the raising of the funds that she misappropriated,” he said.

“In particular, children worked long hours to raise money by delivering telephone books, selling raffle tickets, and running fundraising barbecues and quiz nights.”

Justice Blow said O’Sign lived in a small community and was “very remorseful and embarrassed”.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos APRIL 30 2021: Supreme Court of Tasmania, Salamanca Place, Hobart, Tasmania. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Richard Jupe

“There has been substantial publicity about her offending in that community,” he said.

“This has embarrassed her terribly, to the point where she has avoided going out in public. She is ashamed of what she has done.”

The court was told that during the period of her offending her “life was chaotic”.

Justice Blow said one of her siblings died, another was diagnosed with cancer and “there were problems in the households of two of her children”.

“This might explain why she was not thinking clearly and why she did things that she would not have done under other circumstances, but I accept that, when one looks at where the money went, it does appear that a desire to live beyond her means was part of her motivation,” he said.

“She and her husband were hoping to take on voluntarily work as carers with an organisation that provides assistance to children from households where there are significant problems.

“It seems likely that, because of this court case, she will not be able to do that and her husband will also be precluded from taking on that role.”

Justice Blow said he took into account O’Sign has “had this hanging over her head for some years.”