The 2014 Rowing Australia (RA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was conducted in Melbourne this past weekend, with the RA Board and State Council and Chief Executives meeting to discuss the future of Australian rowing.
The meeting featured unanimous agreement on the first Rowing Whole of Sport Strategic Plan, including a commitment to the collective vision of Australia being the number one rowing nation in the world as well as to be Australia’s leading Olympic sport.
The plan was collaboratively developed, unanimously endorsed and will be collectively delivered by Rowing Australia and its Member Associations.
RA Chairman, Mr Rob Scott said: “I am pleased with the commitment by the RA Board and Member Associations to adopt a collective vision of being the number one rowing nation in the world. This vision extends to all parts of Australian rowing and we will strive to be number one both on and off the water.
“Our vision extends to being the number one ranked gold medal nation at the World Championships and Olympic and Paralympic Games, to building the best and most vibrant rowing community at club, school and state level, right through to implementing a world best development program that will build future generations of champions.”
The AGM also saw the appointment of Margaret McKenzie OAM as Rowing Australia’s newest Life Member in recognition of her outstanding contribution to rowing as a competitor, coach, administrator, and supporter both at local, State and National level.
Ms Mackenzie has competed, coached and volunteered across both New South Wales and Victoria over many years and the majority of her many significant achievements relate to the promotion, growth and acknowledgement of female rowing. The efforts of Ms McKenzie and others provided the foundations upon which the current strength of female rowing in Australia has been built.
On hearing the news of her appointment, Ms Mackenzie said: “It is a great honour to join so many prestigious names as a Life Member of Rowing Australia. I am proud of my long association with the sport and am extremely grateful for the recognition from Rowing Australia and its members.”
RA and the Member Associations also collectively confirmed their intention to include two para-rowing events in the 2016 Interstate Regatta. The two events that will be added to the 2016 Interstate Regatta will be an LTA Men’s Single Scull and an LTA Women’s Single Scull (LTA – Legs, Trunk and Arms).
The AGM also featured approval of RA’s updated constitution, reinforcing RA’s commitment to good governance and continuing to ensure the organisation’s governance is in line with the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) Mandatory Governance Principles.
In addition, Australian rowing continued its Whole of Sport approach to strengthening its governance arrangements with RA’s Member Associations remaining on track to update their own Constitutions to align with the ASC’s Mandatory Governance Principles and further strengthen the management and integrity of the sport.
The weekend also saw the election of four directors to the RA Board, including that of Chairman Rob Scott. Along with Mr Scott, Andrew Rowley, Merrick Howes and Carmen Wearne were re-elected to the Board. Biographies of all four can be found here.
Finally, the AGM acknowledged outgoing RA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dee, for his achievements with the organisation in his 12 years in the role.