SOME WORDS ABOUT DOUG
Doug’s last day of employment with GAus was June 30. Although Doug was only with us for a short period he came at a time of great change which provided many challenges and opportunities. Doug has been an inspiration for all; he has advised the Board, led the Executive and Head Office Support Teams in a cohesive way that has encouraged excellence, individual input and creativity, but with a collective result that is focussed on delivering GAus's strategic intent.
At the recent annual combined Board and Executive face-to-face meeting, the following citation was enthusiastically endorsed by all present.
The Board and Executive of Gliding Australia extend our sincere thanks and commend Doug Flockhart for his outstanding service as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Gliding Australia. Doug's service has been well above and beyond expectations. He has applied considerable intellect, innovation and initiative in a time of great change and new demands on the organisation, prior to Gliding Australia's application to CASA to become a Part 149 Approved Self Administering Aviation Organisation, and then through the organisational changes and transition period. He has set the tone for remarkable changes in collaboration and effective departmental integration in the Executive. His entrepreneurial spirit has infused the Executive and office teams and empowered them to take opportunities to advance our external relationships and profile. His approachability and enterprise have been noted by members in many clubs, advancing both national and regional organisations’ focus on member wellbeing. Doug's contributions have been profound and are most appreciated by all.
I'm sure all Members will join me in thanking Doug for his contribution and wishing him all the very best for whatever lies ahead.
GLIDING AUSTRALIA WELCOMES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Gliding Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of Mariela Pocklington as our new Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive recruitment process. The role attracted more than 350 expressions of interest over a four-week period, with 14 highly qualified candidates shortlisted for interviews.
Mariela commenced employment with GAus on 4 August.
Mariela brings a wealth of experience in sports administration, governance and stakeholder engagement. She has successfully led and supported volunteer-based, not-for-profit organisations and has overseen major programs across multiple sporting disciplines. Her career includes working in highly regulated environments where strong governance and compliance are essential, ensuring she is well-equipped to support Gliding Australia’s strategic and operational priorities.
While Mariela is new to gliding and aviation, she is eager to immerse herself in the sport, learning from our subject matter experts and connecting with members and stakeholders across the country. Her calm, approachable and engaging leadership style will be a great asset as she works to strengthen relationships and support the growth of our sport.
Please join me and the Board in welcoming Mariela to the organisation and wishing her every success in the role. She can be contacted at
GLIDING AUSTRALIA RECOGNITION AS A NATIONAL SPORTING ORGANISATION
Many may find this topic a little tedious, but I ask that you bear with me as it is important that members understand the current situation and the proposed way forward.
Although GAus is the peak body for gliding in Australia, it is not recognised by the Australian Sport Commission (ASC) as a National Sporting Organisation (NSO). Until recently Gliding came under the umbrella of the Air Sports Australia Confederation (ASAC) who held the NSO status for all Australian air-sport organisations. For a variety of reasons, ASAC has relinquished its NSO status, which in turn means that all Australian air-sport organisations, including GAus, have lost NSO recognition.
It is vital that GAus is recognised by the ASC as an NSO, again, for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most important of these is that without NSO status, our Regional Associations will not qualify for funding from their respective state governments.
Attaining NSO status is not a simple process as there are a series of cascading elements leading to eventual approval, including the following.
-
GAus will need to change its identity from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) structure.
-
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will need to approve our transfer to CLG.
-
We will need to demonstrate to ASIC and ASC that our governance and compliance structures are robust and meet their requirements.
-
Changes to GAus’s constitution will be required to support these changes.
The Board has determined that GAus should work towards recognition as an NSO and put recommendations to members that will support this direction.
GLIDING AUSTRALIA CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE
Currently, Regional Associations are not recognised in the GAus Constitution as being formally affiliated, which is contrary to CLG requirements. Hence, changes to the Constitution will need to be recommended by the Board and subsequently supported by Members for the changes to be implemented.
Effective affiliation will also support the strategic direction of GAus and provide its affiliated Regional Associations, clubs and members with clear and well understood responsibilities which will, in turn, protect the future viability and sustainability of our sport.
The Board has engaged the services of a legal firm to assist in developing a revised constitution that will be CLG compliant. The brief is to develop a like-for-like Constitution with minimal change that:
-
Will require Regional Associations to be affiliated with GAus
-
Allows the Board to appoint Independent Directors with specialist expertise
-
Removes the CEO’s membership of the Board but with the requirement for the CEO to advise the Board and attend Board meetings
The Board will be meeting before the end of August to consider and approve a final revised version of the Constitution that will then be presented to Members supported with a communication program. It is planned to call an Extraordinary General Meeting in late September where Members will be asked to vote in support of the revised Constitution.
ACCIDENT AT DARLING DOWNS SOARING CLUB
Although the cause of the recent tragic accident involving Daryl Speight, a well-known and experienced competition pilot, may never be determined, it should serve to raise the awareness of all glider pilots to the inherit dangers associated with our sport. Please be vigilant in maintaining IAMSAFE protocols and effective airworthiness safety standards.
Our heartfelt condolences are offered to Daryl’s family, friends and DDSC members.
Fly safe and be kind to each other
Steve Pegler
Chair of the Board