Connecting Our Community, Telling Our Story
Before outlining some of the important work currently underway, I want to acknowledge that over the Christmas period there were a number of serious gliding accidents, which tragically resulted in two fatalities. All incidents are currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. Our thoughts are with the families, friends, and all those affected during this difficult time.
Looking ahead, one of our key priorities this year is strengthening how we communicate—both within our existing gliding community and with those who may one day discover the sport. Clear, timely, and engaging communication is essential to supporting our clubs, growing participation, and showcasing everything that makes gliding special.
Work is well underway to develop, implement, and maintain a coordinated social media strategy for Gliding Australia. This will lift our visibility across digital platforms, helping us connect more effectively with current members while also reaching potential future pilots, volunteers, and supporters. It will also enable the timely sharing of updates, safety information, achievements, and stories from across the country.
In parallel, solid progress is being made toward the development and integration of a new website platform. The focus is on improved design, functionality, and usability, along with multi-administrator capability to better support our national and regional operations. The refreshed platform will provide a more intuitive and accessible way for members to find news, policies,
resources, and stories.
As part of this work, our document library has been reviewed and outdated material archived, ensuring that the information available to members is current, relevant, and easy to navigate. At the same time, ongoing discussions with the broader team are helping shape a website that truly reflects who we are as a sport and serves as a central hub for communication and storytelling.
Beyond our digital initiatives, planning is also underway for the Human Factors Conference, which was postponed in 2025. While final details are still being confirmed, the conference is planned for April 2026 in Brisbane. The program will maintain a strong safety focus while also addressing important club-level challenges, including change management and strategic planning to support the long-term sustainability of our clubs and the sport as a whole.
We are also reviewing our governance structure and progressing work toward transitioning Gliding Australia to a company limited by guarantee. This is an important step in strengthening our organisational foundations and enabling recognition as a National Sporting Organisation. Further information will be shared with members as this work progresses, along with opportunities for engagement and discussion.
Together, these initiatives reflect a clear commitment to learning, improvement, and long-term sustainability. They are about strengthening our connections, supporting our clubs and members, and positioning gliding in Australia for a confident and resilient future.
Mariela Pocklington
Chief Executive Officer
