Message from the former & current Presidents of Fencing Victoria:
Geoff Webber (Former President)
It is with enormous sadness that Fencing Victoria wishes to inform the community of the passing of Grant Foster, Director of Fencing Victoria from 2012 to 2014.
Perhaps better known (as so many of us are, by our children) as “Matt’s dad”, Grant came to know and love the sport of Fencing and was unwavering in his desire to see Fencing flourish in an environment of equity and having “a fair go” for all participants.
Grant was enormously instrumental in guiding the strategic thinking of FV in understanding the fencing community, leading a major effort to visit every club and really understand the concerns and aspirations of our diverse membership.
Through Grant’s empathy and resolute pursuit of making fencing relevant and the leadership approachable for all, FV made significant steps towards inclusiveness and equal opportunity for all voices to truly be heard. Grant was also a key force in the development and adoption of the current FV Constitution, bringing the association into line with modern processes and regulatory best practice. His generosity in giving his marketing and communication expertise and personal time cannot be underestimated. He was my rock of sage advice when I was President of FV and I will forever be grateful for his guidance.
Kayt Spano (Current President)
I too echo Geoff’s words and sentiments. Grant’s friendship and support both personally and professionally, meant the world to me. Grant was an incredible man with a wicked sense of humour. We who knew him, are all richer for his presence in our lives. His manner was effortless and never contrived, Grant was the sounding board for many ideas and as Geoff has said a “rock” whose presence and wisdom shaped not just the ideas, but the people who then took those ideas into action. Grant’s time on the FV board officially was two years, though he was continually engaged with and supported the sport of Fencing as a whole, unofficially but never in a small way. His influence will remain with those of us who were so privileged to have known and shared in the man that was Grant Foster.
After an extended illness, Grant passed away peacefully on July 31, 2019, surrounded by family and in the thoughts of many others.
To Lorraine, Matt and Liz & the extended Foster family, FV extends unreserved and unbounded sympathy and love in your unbearable sorrow and unending thanks for sharing Grant with the Fencing community over so many years.
Vale Grant.
Last Modified on 02/08/2019 10:48