The Yachting Australia Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 6 November 2015, with all State and Territory Yachting Associations represented by their Presidents. This was the first meeting held under the new constitution as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
In his President’s Report to the Meeting, Matt Allen stated that in the past 12 months Sailing has commenced the most significant transition in our history with agreement reached to progress One Sailing. He thanked the State and Territory Presidents for acting with consideration to their Clubs and members, while working with Yachting Australia to deliver the best outcomes for our Sport nationally and for the future.
Matt noted the year had brought change, challenges and success;
· Matt Carroll AM was appointed as CEO replacing long serving Phil Jones. Matt quickly assumed leadership of One Sailing engaging with States and Clubs.
· Preparations for Rio are well in hand despite the significant challenges.
· Disappointment in the decision to drop Sailing from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
· With the support of the Australian Sports Commission the new extended deck at the National Training Centre at Middle Harbour Yacht Club was opened allowing Olympic and Paralympic sailors to train out of a joint facility for the first time.
· The key priority of safety has been supported through additional funding to support specialised projects which will be announced shortly.
“Our thanks to the Australian Sports Commission, particularly Chairman John Wiley, for their continued support of the Performance Program and the investment in participation. Their support has ensured the Australian Sailing Team, Australian Sailing Squad and Australian Sailing Youth Team sailors, have enjoyed success in the past year”, Matt added.
In his first Report as CEO, Matt Carroll highlighted;
· Tackers numbers continued to grow at 6% and retention rates are running at 52%
· Sailing was named as one of 32 sports to take part in the Australian Sports Commission’s Sporting Schools Program
· While Yachting Australia recorded an accounting surplus the underlining financial picture remains brittle, reinforcing the need to initiate the One Sailing efficiencies and capitalise on opportunities to grow revenue from other sources.
· The excellent relationship with the Australian Sports Commission
The AGM confirmed the re-election of three Directors; President Matt Allen, Vice President Sarah Kenny and Director Garry Langford. Matt Allen advised Karyn Gojnich was stepping down as an Appointed Director. “I would like to thank Karyn for her contribution and dedication to the Yachting Australia Board for more than six years and look forward to her continued involvement as the OSAF Vice-President”, Matt said.
In closing the meeting Matt Allen asked the State and Territory Presidents for their ongoing support as One Sailing continues to roll out and we make critical changes to build an integrated organisation to secure the future of our sport.”
Immediately following the AGM, the Yachting Australia Board held a meeting re-electing Matt Allen as President and Sarah Kenny as Vice-President for another term. The Board re-appointed Doug Kerr and Rosie Collins to the Board and appointed Jenni Maclean who has served as a Board Member for Yachting Victoria, Commodore of Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron and was previously a senior leader in the water safety and aquatic recreation industry. Jenni is currently a lawyer in an in-house legal team which services the legal requirements of one of Australia’s leading diversified property groups and is an active and competitive sailor at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron in her Farr 1020 Navaho.
The Yachting Australia Annual Report 2014-15 is now available to view online at the Yachting Australia website.
– Jane Gordon
