As a country girl herself, she knows how keen bush kids are on their sport but with more than 80 children attending two sessions at Barden Park, she was taken aback.

“I’d only arranged for one session but when I looked at my website I saw there was so much interest that I had to schedule a second clinic,” she said.

“But it’s great. These kids get a lot out of the clinic, even if they’re not into athletics.

“We’ve had footballers and players from so many other sports that are looking for that little bit of extra speed in whatever it is they do.

“Some of these kids and their families have travelled fair distances to be here today, so I feel really grateful that they would do that.”

With such an array of ages and abilities it is hard to do a one-size-fits-all clinic, but the three-time Olympian and World Indoor Champion says the basics are the same for everyone.

“There’s a science to running fast and the mechanics are the same,” she said.

“You need to be upright, with your head still and your arms pumping, and be soft on the ground as you hit it.

“It can be hard sometimes when the kids see a guy like Usain Bolt looking around and doing it so easily but I just say ‘run as fast as Usain, but don’t do what Usain does in a race’.

“The really gratifying thing for me is to see how much improvement they make from when we start the session to when we end it.

“Even in the space of half an hour or so you can see that when they implement what you’re telling them, their technique improves and their confidence builds.”

Gainsford-Taylor admits the facilities available to the modern athletic aspirant are far superior to what was available when she was a youngster making her way in the sport.

And as such, she can’t wait to return to conduct further clinics with husband David and daughter Gabriella.

“Life is so busy so to be able to do this with my family is tremendous,” she said.

“Our son is at home looking after the new dog, otherwise he would have been out here as well.

“Coming out to Dubbo, being so close to where I grew up in Narromine, I also get reminded of how good it was growing up in the country.

“My coach Jackie used to measure runs for me on the farm from a particular point to the gate, or to a tree.

“To see this facility here at Barden Park and be able to utilise it with these kids is a tremendous opportunity for them and for me.

“I’ll be coming back for sure.”