Australian Sailing’s Annual General Meeting will be held in late October, and affiliated clubs and MYAs may consider nominating candidates for election.

Australian Sailing’s Annual General Meeting will be held in late October. Affiliated clubs, Yachting WA and Yachting NT may consider nominating candidates for election. 

There are two elected director positions being vacated at the 2026 AGM. These are Vice-President Heather McCallum and Sian Harding, both of whom we understand will be seeking nomination and re-election. 

The Nominations Committee is appointed under clause 20.5 of the Australian Sailing Constitution. The Nominations Committee is also required under clause 14.3(e) to approve the eligibility of any director being elected or appointed. Please note that Heather McCallum and Sian Harding have received the Nominations Committee’s approval and are eligible to be re-elected. 

Whilst the elected director positions are being vacated by incumbents, Members are nonetheless entitled to nominate people for election to these positions. 

Members considering nominating a candidate need to be aware that the board has a policy position that the Nominations Committee is to identify the skills and diversity needs in directors joining the board. 

On reviewing the geographic and gender diversity gaps created by the directors vacating these positions, the Nominations Committee has identified that at least one candidate must be from Victoria, and at least one must be a woman. 

As always, there is a requirement for an excellent understanding of the sport, and elevated core skills of governance, leadership, strategy and engagement. This year the skills being sought in potential candidates for election this year are: 

Regard should also be given to this advice when considering nominees for election. The Nominations Committee will assess and approve eligible candidates for election at the AGM. 

Nominations for election will naturally be handled in accordance with the constitution. In constituencies where clubs affiliate with Australian Sailing directly, it is the affiliated club which is a Member of Australian Sailing and eligible to nominate the candidate. In states and territories where the Member Yachting Association is the affiliated Member of Australian Sailing, nominations can only be made by the MYA. 

In all cases, the CEO will write to the Members which are eligible to nominate candidates for election and invite nominations. 

Click here for information about Australian Sailing. 

Click here for Australian Sailing’s Strategic Plan.