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Statement from Equestrian Australia
28 November 2018
Last week, on Wednesday 21 November, Equestrian Australia held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) where three new Elected Directors were announced, Alistair MacKinlay, Gillian Canapini and Peter Toft. They join Judy Fasher, David Lindh, Suzanne Doyle and Colin Chantler. Following the AGM Judy Fasher was elected by the board to be Chair.
During the AGM, five members of different State Branches sent an email to the CEO with a request to call a General Meeting (GM) to remove Judy Fasher, David Lindh and Colin Chantler from office. There were no details provided nor reasons tabled for their concerns in the request. Equestrian Australia are working and continue to work to ensure compliance with the Constitution and the Corporations Act. Based upon legal advice, the request for the GM is invalid. We will update members as and when necessary.
As part of the substantial funding received from our partner Sport Australia (formerly Australian Sports Commission), Equestrian Australia is bound, as the Equestrian National Sporting Organisation, to meet agreed levels of mandatory good governance principles to ensure this funding continues.
The Board of Equestrian Australia wishes to correct a number of misconceptions that have been wrongly reported in news and social media channels in recent days, because it is important that everyone knows the facts.
Stories that Equestrian Australia is to be wound up or de-registered are completely false and baseless. There is no plan to establish a new National Federation by any individual or members of the Equestrian Australia Board. Equestrian Australia is financially sound and continues to focus on building a sustainable sport across the country.
On Thursday 22 November, representatives of Equestrian Australia, State branches and eight disciplines met at our second Sports Forum to commence the development of a plan and framework for the future. A Coaches Forum was also held with representatives sharing a desire for closer working relationships to ensure greater synergies between all disciplines, and knowledge sharing to strengthen coaching programs. During 2019 there will be additional planning and opportunities for broader consultation to enable everyone to work together across the country.
Equestrian Australia is committed to a cohesive and united sport and for this to be achieved through consultation and discussion. These need to be undertaken with a spirit of respect and open communication for us all to achieve our shared goals for the love of the horse and our sport.
