At the recent Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on 30 March 2026, members of Gliding Australia voted to support a major constitutional reform – paving the way for the organisation to transition from an incorporated association to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) which will support our application to the Australian Sports Commission to achieve National Sporting Organisation accreditation.
This is a significant moment in Gliding Australia’s history, and the outcome reflects both strong engagement from members and a view for modernisation.
The Vote: A Clear Outcome
The motion required a high threshold to pass under the current Constitution – both a majority of regions, at least 75% of total votes in favour and a minimum of 100 voters (refer to Sect. 25, Constitution Ver. 7).
The Secretary’s official voting report was scrutineered, with the following outcomes declared:
- Total votes cast: 452
- Votes in favour: 360
- Votes against: 92
- Overall support: 79.65%
- Regional majority: Achieved (4 out of 5 regions carried)
State-by-state results showed strong support across most regions:
- SA/NT: 98% in favour
- QLD: 94% in favour
- NSW: 97% in favour
- VIC/TAS: 90% in favour
- WA: 19% in favour
With both the regional majority requirement, the three-quarters overall vote threshold and the minimum requirement of 100 votes met, the motion was formally declared CARRIED in accordance with Version 7 of the Gliding Australia Constitution. Importantly, independent scrutineers confirmed the integrity of the process. While a small number of votes were excluded due to ineligibility or late submission, their inclusion would not have changed the outcome.
What Does This Change Mean?
For some members, the phrase “Company Limited by Guarantee” will sound like a fundamental shift in the way Gliding Australia operates.
In practice, the change is about governance structure – not about changing the core purpose or day-to-day operation of gliding in Australia. The Gliding Australia Executive Team and Heads of Departments are unaffected by the change, and daily operations of Gliding at both member-level and club-level are unaffected. In summary:
Previous structure: Incorporated Association
Under the previous structure, Gliding Australia operated as an incorporated association governed by state-based legislation, specifically within Victoria. This model is generally suited to smaller or state-focused organisations and has supported the organisation well over time, however it can present limitations when operating nationally across multiple jurisdictions.
New structure: Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
Under the new structure, Gliding Australia will operate as a Company Limited by Guarantee under national corporate law. This is a widely used model for national not-for-profits, including sporting bodies and charities. Members do not hold shares but instead act as guarantors, and there are no dividends or shareholders, with any surplus reinvested back into the organisation to support its ongoing activities and strategic objectives.
Why Make the Transition?
The move to a company limited by guarantee is about aligning Gliding Australia with modern governance standards and supporting its national role.
The change is also about funding eligibility. As many members will know, there is currently no National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for Gliding in Australia. This occurred after the Air Sport Australia Confederation (ASAC) relinquished the NSO accreditation for all aviation sporting organisations in 2025. There were several immediate impacts: minor issues around international teams representation, but more substantially, eligibility for state government core funding. Multiple regions were expected to fail eligibility criteria during future grant applications, due to there being no recognised NSO for Gliding in Australia. Regions use this funding to deliver benefits for members. This most notably includes courses, but also training, simulators, club resources and more.
Therefore, the key benefits are
- NSO eligibility: Organisations applying for NSO accreditation under the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) are required to have a company structure
- Funding eligibility: NSO status both maintains current and increases future funding eligibility at both state and national levels
- National consistency: A single regulatory framework across all regions
- Stronger governance: Clear director duties, independence and accountability requirements under federal law
- External credibility: Often preferred by regulators, insurers and Aviation/Sports industry partners
Just as importantly, the change does not alter the fundamental purpose of the organisation. Gliding Australia will remain a not-for-profit, continue to be member-based, and exist to support and grow gliding in Australia in accordance with its constitutional Objects and Strategic Plan.
What Happens Next?
With the motion passed, Gliding Australia moves into the implementation phase. This involves:
- Registering the new company structure with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).
- Setting-up three (3) new committees, several processes and reporting channels to comply with the new constitution.
- Submission of our NSO application to the ASC.
- The Gliding Australia Board operates under the Transitional Arrangements documented in the new constitution, as preparations continue for restructuring to take place at the November 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
- For the first time, at the November 2026 AGM, ALL members will have the opportunity to democratically elect independent Board members to sit on the Gliding Australia Board.
- Any significant updates will be communicated to members and clubs during this process. Members can expect ongoing updates as this process unfolds.
A Decision by the Members
With over 450 votes cast, strong regional participation, and a clear majority in favour, this was a decision made collectively by the gliding community.
While not every region supported the motion, the overall outcome reflects a broad consensus that change is needed to support the future of the sport.
In Summary
The motion to change Gliding Australia’s governance structure has been passed with strong member support, receiving approximately 80% approval across the country. As a result, the organisation will transition to a company limited by guarantee and proceed with its application for recognition as a National Sporting Organisation.
While this represents an important step forward in governance and positioning for the future, it does not change how gliding operates day-to-day for members or clubs. Instead, it provides a stronger, more sustainable foundation to support the continued growth of gliding in Australia. This is a change which is shaped by members, for members.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at
James Nugent
Secretary Gliding Australia
