The following nominations for the FV Positions have been received.
If you cannot attend the Fencing Victoria Annual General Meeting, you can appoint a proxy, IN WRITING, using the attached PDF Proxy Voting Form Below.
President
Simon Auty
I have been an active fencer and fencing parent since 2002, when I joined the Fioretto Fencing Club. I am still a member of Fioretto. I joined the Fencing Victoria Executive in 2007, becoming President in 2008 following Peter Osvath in that position.
I had 10 years working in the finance sector until 2010 when I took up the role of CEO of Triathlon Victoria.
During my term as President of Fencing Victoria, the association has experienced significant advances, including the establishment of the State Fencing Centre at Arden Street, the development of key administrative and governance processes and an increase in membership of the association of more than 30%.
During this period I have also performed the role of Finance Director and filled key operational and financial roles at the 2010 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, held in Melbourne.
My role with Triathlon Victoria has provided the opportunity to develop experience and skills specific to the sporting sector, and in this capacity I have acquired abilities and networks that help further the interests of Victorian fencing.
I am passionate about raising the profile of fencing and increasing opportunities for participation. If re-elected I look forward to working with the executive in continuing to develop our sport in Victoria.
I would welcome the chance to continue in the role of President for the next one to two years and assist with the development of a future President for Fencing Victoria.
Directors
Grant Foster
After one year on the FV Executive, my greatest achievement with a foil is still a successful rewire (but, you’ll be pleased to know I’m much faster now).
Otherwise, I remain just a parent who would like to see the sport grow and one year on, am even more disturbed by some of the policies and processes of a national body that too often, seems to be out of step with the needs and motivations of its athletes. We’ve worked hard to change this in the past year, but it needs a lot more work and I hope, with some support from the other state associations, to continue to push for some much needed change.
In Victoria in the past year we have established a 3-year strategic plan for fencing, in which every Victorian fencing club was invited to participate - and most did so. Thank-you.
We are nearly one year into that plan and there has been progress on many of the issues you identified, thanks to the efforts of the outgoing FV Executive and a number of individuals and clubs. It is time for a one-year review and it is my intention to repeat the consultation process with those clubs who wish to participate, as there are many issues that remain in need of attention in the remaining 2 years of the plan.
I would like to renominate for the FV board to continue with the 3 tasks I identified at the time of my nomination last year:
- to provide additional support to the FV directors in their efforts to build the sport in Victoria – particularly in the areas of strategic planning and positioning our sport to attract commercial sponsorship for clubs and talented individuals
- to focus on strengthening development programs for individual fencers and their clubs and schools, and
- to ensure that FV and all state bodies combine their efforts for the good of the sport and its fencers – particularly with regard to national development and selection policies which continue to divide and damage the fencing community.
…and, I have one further objective. That is to get more fencers involved in the administration of the sport at state and national level. Parents have a role, but it is no substitute for the contribution of those who participate at club, state and elite level. It’s something we all need to work on.
My business is a strategic consultancy, which among other things has developed and advised on strategic planning, membership development and revenue growth for leading clubs in the AFL, NRL and ARU and we know a bit about underfunded business through our work in the disability and aged care sector. We build strategic plans and help organisations to execute them. I also teach marketing and brand management at the Australian Graduate School of Management, have an MBA and have completed the Stanford University Executive Program.
Kate Harman
Kate Harman is the Honorary Secretary of VRI Fencing Club, a position she has held for over 5 years. Kate is a non-fencer, but is the mother of 2 former fencers, (Catherine and Genevieve Tierney) and has maintained a strong interest in the sport over a long time. Kate has attended and supported fencing events in Victoria and interstate as well as locally (club based) since 2004. She volunteered to assist at the Commonwealth Championships in 2010 and co-ordinated the First Aid for the event. Kate comes from a background of Community service having been 9 years a Municipal councillor and a Mayor. Active in Red Cross (she held the position of Deputy Registration Officer for Victoria) and numerous local committees of management and volunteer organisations and sporting clubs.
A teacher by profession she has strong organisational skills and has been deeply involved in the governance and strategic planning for VRI Fencing Club.
Kate Harman has been nominated by VRI for a position on the Fencing Victoria Board, a body respected by VRI Fencing Club and its members. Kate will continue as Secretary to VRI Fencing Club and will represent the views of that club at council level. Kate is cognisant of the need to think and act independently as a director with obligations to good governance. She is most keen to see the profile of fencing raised in Victoria and a successful expansion of the sport.
Robyn Hunter
I am a Veteran Aged Fencer belonging to the Dragons Fencing Club. I have been the Communications Director for the past year and would like the opportunity to continue to make the communications of Fencing Victoria friendly, accessible and informative.
I have many years of administrative experience with organisations such as The Law Council of Australia and The Australian Customs Service. I have studied marketing and event management, as well as recreation organisation, as part of a Bachelor of Business degree. Prior to becoming a Director I volunteered with Fencing Victoria to arrange the following:
- “Fencing in the Park” demonstrations with the City of Melbourne for Australia Day Celebrations in 2010 and 2011,
- the Opening of the State Fencing Centre, and
- accommodation packages for the recent Commonwealth Fencing Championships in Victoria.
I have a son who has been fencing now for over 10 years. He has represented Australia at Senior World Championship Level, but I still remember his very first State and National Championships and the nerves that are present not only in the child, but also in the parent, at these events. I have travelled both nationally and internationally to events with my son and have a great deal of experience in what a fencer needs to take, how the events work and of the magnificent experiences they can enjoy.
I would really love to have a chance to continue as a Director of Fencing Victoria. I am enthusiastic about growing the sport in the state and improving the communications within the organisation and for its’ members. I believe in encouraging fencers at all levels to enjoy their sport and I wish to be involved in creating an environment that will help them make their aspirations a reality.
I want to remain on the FV board because I think our fencers, coaches and clubs deserve all the support they can get.
Kayt Spano
My involvement in fencing began when my eldest son decided that he wanted to give it a try. Soon after, I was given the opportunity to begin a small business importing fencing equipment. Since then, I have been involved with a number of clubs not only supporting my sons' efforts but supplying and repairing equipment.
My background is primarily marketing, fundraising and merchandising. I have, over the last 20 years been involved with the Variety Club, The Young Variety Club, Challenge Cancer Support Network, McHappy Day, and The Margaret Pratt Foundation to name a few. These have been roles ranging from General Committee to Chairperson. To enhance these skills I have recently completed an Event Management Diploma (2012). I made a significant contribution to the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in 2010 both as the Merchandising Manager and also as one of the Silver Sponsors. I have been fortunate enough to be a Director of Fencing Victoria for the last 2 years. During this time I have been the club & parent liaison and through this role I have met and helped many new families transition into fencing families. I have also spent many hours putting together team tours for the U15 & Cadet National competitions in Sydney and Perth as well as the VicBandits tours of Sydney. In the last 2 years I have also made inroads into new opportunities for fencing to be part of programs for Gifted children through G.A.T.E.ways, the VAGTC and have recently connected with 'Gifted Resources' to further promote fencing to this group.
Geoff Webber
Geoff Webber is a previous Director of Fencing Victoria, serving for just over 2 years from mid 2008 until the end of 2010. During this time, he assisted in a review of the FV Competitions through survey of member clubs and codified many of the operational aspects to the running of FV competitions and the ranking system design and implementation. Most recently, he was the Fencing Victoria delegate to the Australian Fencing Federation, representing the views of the Victorian fencing community and endeavouring to improve the transparency of AFF operations and processes.
With the operational functions of FV Competitions running smoothly under current Tournament Management, it is opportune to review the systems associated with Rankings and Results reporting, building on contemporary practices that will ensure longevity of operation and transferability of knowledge to maintain these in the future. If elected in 2013, Geoff will review and oversee this development and continue to work with the Finance arm to respond to the changing Governance requirements of Fencing Victoria.
Geoff is a currently competitive Veteran fencer and member of Blacklords Fencing Club.
AFF Delegate
Scott Arnold
My name is Scott Arnold and I first started fencing in 1980. Apart from being a retired elite fencer and multiple National Champion, an Olympian and an active fencing coach, I have coached two Olympians, the last of which was Pentathlete Ed Fernon for the 2012 London Olympics.
I am also an IT Professional. I currently work for IBM in a Team Lead role where we maintain the Red Cross Blood Service's National Blood Management System and provide, among other things, tactical and strategic architectural advice.
I am passionate about the sport of fencing and like many, would love to see the standard of fencing improve throughout the country.
I feel that being an AFF Delegate will permit me to not only represent FV, but also permit me to give something back to the sport to benefit the fencers.
With my accumulated years of experience in the above roles, I believe that I have the skills that would be of value to FV in the role of an AFF delegate.
Please accept my nomination.
Selection Commission Members
Paul Baker - PFA
Angela Dobson-Block - PFA
Your vote
Elections are covered by the Fencing Victoria Rules (see here).
Under Rule 5(5)(a) of the Rules, the following categories have previously been decided:
Individual Member (entitled to vote, as per Rule 18(1)(a)):
* Junior Affiliation
* Full Affiliation
* Coach Affiliation
Provisional Member (NOT entitled to vote, as per Rule 18(1)(b)):
* Club/School Affiliation
Note that a nomination for election for candidate must be made by two Individual members (i.e. not provisional). Candidates themselves may be Provisional or Individual Members.
Individual Members are entitled to vote if they have paid their affiliation for the current Fencing Year (2013).
As a minor has no legal capacity, Junior members under the age of 18 may not exercise their voting rights, except through their legal guardian. Similarly, a proxy may only be provided by the legal guardian of a minor (i.e. the minor has no legal capacity to appoint a proxy). If a minor has completed a proxy form, this will only have effect if it has been also signed by their legal guardian.
Proxies MUST be received by the Director of Communications, or received at the State Fencing Centre Office, 1st Floor, 204 Arden St, Nth Melbourne, by 7pm on Monday 6th May.
If you have any questions please contact - communications@fencingvictoria.org
Last Modified on 02/05/2013 10:03