Notification of Changes to WAIS Board
The Western Australian Institute of Sport wishes to advise that its Chair, Mr. Peter Abery has tendered his resignation from the WAIS Board effective June 30 to pursue other interests and will be replaced by current deputy Mr Neil McLean.
June 30 also saw Dr Rachel Harris end her 10 years of service to the WAIS Board.
Mr Abery first joined the WAIS Board in 2012 and he took on the role of Chair after Mr Grant Boyce stepped down from the position in 2015.
Mr Abery – through his extensive business and financial acumen – has played an influential role in creating a range of budgetary efficiencies for the organisation and leading development of the Institute’s current strategic plan which has continued to ensure that WAIS is achieving international sporting success.
The Acting Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon. Francis Logan MLA congratulated Mr Abery on his tenure and said his impact would continue to be positively felt in the years ahead.
“I would like to personally thank Peter for his committed effort in nurturing and protecting the best interests of the staff and athletes at WAIS,” he said.
“His work in modernising WAIS governance and redefining the Institute’s relationship with the state government will form the basis on which WAIS can confidently build its future operations.”
“I wish Neil every success in continuing the strong work that has been achieved at WAIS as we now embrace the countdown to the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.”
Mr McLean was first appointed to the WAIS Board in 2013 and he took on the role of deputy under Mr Abery in 2015. In assuming the position of Chair from June 30, Mr McLean becomes the fifth WAIS Chair since the organisation’s inception in 1984.
In addition to his service to the WAIS Board, Mr McLean has contributed significantly to multiple Australian Olympic and Commonwealth representative teams as a highly regarded sport psychologist. His skills have also been active across a number of professional sporting teams, whilst he also holds a long and distinguished association with UWA as a lecturer in Psychology.
Mr McLean paid tribute to Mr Abery and thanked him for his service to WAIS.
“It is a great honour to continue on the work that Peter has undertaken as WAIS Chair. It goes without saying that guiding a not for profit organisation requires a great deal of time and commitment, and Peter has taken on that challenge – in addition to his considerable private work arrangements – with both integrity and care,” Mr McLean said.
“I wish to also highlight the invaluable service provided by Rachel Harris. She has given so freely of her immense knowledge and passion for sport and she has been a champion of the WAIS cause as both an athlete and as a director.”
Subsequent to above mentioned exits, WAIS is delighted to announce the appointment of three new Board members.
Ms Josie Janz-Dawson has accepted a position on the Board, and she holds intimate knowledge of the organisation as a former long-term scholarship athlete during her decorated netball career. She represented the West Coast Fever for the best part of a decade, in addition to her many years of successful state representation.
She works as a Program Manager with the Wirrpanda Foundation and is an active and well regarded voice across many community focused indigenous causes.
Ms Kim Ellwood has been appointed in the capacity of ex officio through DLGSC and replaces Mr Nick Sloan. She brings with her a wealth of experience across government and sporting sectors.
She is the Executive Director for the Office of Multicultural Interests and has extensive experience in high performance team management, which has included official roles with Australian Paralympic Teams.
Ms Linda Hamersley will also add her skills and knowledge to the WAIS Board, bringing with her high level CEO experience which includes roles at West Perth Football Club, Hockey WA and Athletics New Zealand, as well as high level roles with the New Zealand Olympic Committee and the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport.
