October 2023
Constitutional Change
It’s three years since the Board embarked on a strategic initiative to remodel our management structure. In November 2022 Gliding Australia’s Membership voted to approve the Board’s recommended changes to our Constitution to be implemented at the conclusion of the 2023 AGM. We will no longer have a President, so I am the last of that dynasty. We have created two new roles, a Chair of the Board and a Chief Executive Officer. These changes are important and will underpin our development to becoming a more efficient and progressive organisation. The Board, headed by the Chair of the Board, will be able to focus on strategic and governance issues and the Executive, led by the CEO, on implementing the strategic direction set by the Board.
We are embarking on a new path and our most significant change in 20 years. Let’s embrace the changes!
I am pleased to announce the appointment of our inaugural CEO, Mr Doug Flockhart. Doug comes to us with a broad management background including a turn as CEO of a large organisation with oversight of member clubs, not dissimilar to Gliding Australia. He is familiar with working in an environment with strict government regulatory oversight. Doug is a power pilot and former glider pilot, so he has an appreciation of our operating environment. In his role he will lead our Executive and Administration teams. Doug is a very approachable, down to earth person, so please make him feel welcome and take the opportunity to have a chat when you can.
IT Systems and Member Support
We have been promising for a long time to undertake a full review of our IT support systems. Well, that has now happened and improvements are on the way. Gliding Australia engaged a consultancy firm to undertake the review and to make recommendations. Change of this nature is complex and we need to carefully manage our decisions so as not to introduce unwanted and unintended consequences. Chris Bowman, our Treasurer, is leading a team of highly skilled technicians that will, over time, implement these changes. The effect of much of the work that is being undertaken will not be directly visible to members but will guide the more visible member interface changes that will occur in the months ahead.
Our People Resources
Gliding Australia is an organisation that has volunteerism as its foundation. We are extremely fortunate to have such a large pool of people that have exceptional personal qualities, dedication, experience and expertise who are prepared to put their hands up and fill the many leadership roles within the organisation.
This AGM will mark the departure from our management team of some very talented and dedicated people. Pat Barfield, Chair of the Operations Panel and Jenny Thompson, Chair of the Soaring Development Panel, both volunteers, are retiring from the Executive Team following an extraordinary period of involvement. Their contribution to the Integrated Training Program has been pivotal in its development and both have been important participants in our journey towards becoming a Part 149 ASAO. Lindsay Mitchell, our current Vice President, will be leaving the Board where he has filled various roles for the past 13 years.
We are also very fortunate to have high calibre paid staff such as Chris Thorpe, who has recently retired from his role as Executive Manager of Operations. Chris has overseen many changes within the flying operational area. Similarly, our Executive Officer, Terry Cubley, is also retiring following a term of 10 years providing vital support to the Executive and Board Teams.
Although these people have moved on, we won’t be losing them – they’ll just find other ways to remain involved and support the progress of Gliding Australia and its members. They are passionate people who are passionate about gliding.
As these people move on, we need to find replacements to fill their roles, and that’s not such an easy task, particularly where the incumbents have set such high standards. We are very fortunate that within the Gliding Australia membership we have such a depth of knowledge and experience from which we can recruit. Craig Vinall will be taking over from Jenny Thompson as Chair of the Soaring Development Panel and Aaron Stroop from Pat Barfield as Chair of the Operations Panel. Both Craig and Aaron are superbly talented people – I know we’re in good hands.
I’m also very pleased to announce the appointment of our new Executive Manager Operations – Dave Boulter. Dave will be well known to many Gliding Australia members, particularly those in NSW. Dave has had a long involvement in and passion for gliding – welcome aboard, Dave.
World Gliding Championships
The 37th World Gliding Championships, to be hosted by the Narromine Gliding Club, will commence with the first Practice Day on 28 November 2023 where we’re expecting 70 competing pilots across three classes of competition. The level of work that goes into the preparation for an event of this stature is immense – it’s been years in the planning. Beryl Hartley has been the driving force behind the event organisation and is well supported by Competition Director Mike Durrant and an extensive team of dedicated volunteers.
The planning has been done, the organisation team is in place, the entries are coming in and I’m told the weather will be fabulous. So, if you’ve got a few days to spare, Narromine will be the place to be in December.
A Word About Safety
This past year we’ve had two very serious accidents involving gliding operations that have resulted in fatalities. Both have been the consequence of mid-air collisions and both were avoidable. Our condolences go to those families, friends and associates who have been directly affected.
Occurrences like these should serve to remind us all that aviation is a risky pursuit, but by properly identifying and understanding the risks, applying the principles of Threat and Error Management, and understanding the Human Factors involved, we should be able to mitigate many of the circumstances that lead to these unfortunate accidents.
Drew McKinnie, our Safety Manager, is dedicated to improving safety outcomes within the sport of gliding. He has written much on the subject, and I urge you all to read his Safety Bulletins and heed the practical messages they contain.
CASA Part 149
Last year I reported that we were progressing with the preparation of our submission to CASA to become a Part 149 Approved Self-Administering Aviation Organisation (ASAO). Part 149 is legislation that was enacted in 2018 and it lays out the rules around how aviation sporting organisations, like Gliding Australia, can become self-administering.
The overarching document that supports our application is called an Exposition. The Exposition and the suite of supporting documents were submitted to CASA for their review in December 2022. CASA has reviewed our submission and has responded. It is pleasing to report that CASA has not identified any ‘showstopper’ issues although, of course, we will need to address many relatively minor items and we are currently working through those. One of my favourite sayings is that the devil is in the detail. We still have a way to go, so there may still be some devils to contend with.
As I pointed out last year, it is not expected that members will see any real, direct impact as a result of adopting Part 149. The changes are more related to management of our activities and how accountability is attributed. The adoption of Part 149 will result in a better, stronger organisation. Part 149 will mean change – it has been a challenging process to work through and we still have some distance to go, but the Board and I strongly believe that it will serve the best interests of Gliding Australia and its members – it will go a long way to ensuring our future sustainability.
Closing Comment
This past year has been a very busy and productive one for your Board. I must say I have been very fortunate to work with such a diverse group of very talented people. Apart from the Executive Board members that I’ve previously referenced that are leaving the Executive as at this AGM, the Victorian / Tasmanian Regional Representative Duncan Robertson is also retiring. I would also like to acknowledge our paid employees and contractors who put in effort above and beyond our expectations. They are devoted to what they do and we are a richer organisation for that.
I am really looking forward to the year ahead – a new Constitution, significant changes to our management structure, new employees and volunteer Executives who will bring fresh ideas and, of course, Part 149 to our organisation. This next year promises more challenges and rewards – exciting times! Fly safe and be kind to each other.
Steve Pegler
President
