australian swimming 93rd annual report 2001/2002

The 2001–2002 season was again an
exciting year for Australian Swimming
throughout the States and Territories. It was
also definitely a year of change within ASI
and the forthcoming season will herald
reciprocal changes within the respective
State Associations.
The State Delegates Committee has undergone
several changes during the season. Colin
Davis, our previous chairperson moved on to
become treasurer of the Board of Australian
Swimming. During the season Ron Jordan
(NSW) and Clare Labowitch (NT) both retired
from their positions within their respective
States. I extend a special thank vote of thanks
on behalf of all delegates for the input and
hard work of these three invaluable people
over the years. At the same time, I welcome
Philip Musserad (Tasmania), Cli≈ Harris (NSW)
and Paul Carter (NT) to the committee.
Together with Jim Braendler (SA), Diana
Bendeich (QLD), Geo≈ Hare (Victoria) and
myself, Peter Prunster (Western Australia) they
formed the State Delegates Committee for
2001–2002.
state delegates’ report 27
I believe that the advent of the new ASI
Constitution has been a binding force within
the State Delegates Committee. Throughout
the history of this country, the various States
have had di÷culties in reaching agreement on
major issues at government level. We have
been fortunate enough on this committee to
have people who, while perhaps holding
di≈erent opinions, have the wisdom to arrive at
a realistic consensus in the name of the
progression and development of our sport.
Initially, on the Constitution issue there were
some di≈ering attitudes. However, in the final
analysis we all came together to a General
Meeting, which ran for a duration of fifteen
minutes, to confirm the new ASI Constitution.
Combined with the introduction of a new ASI
Constitution this year, we have had the launch
of the Member Protection Policy. This policy
will be released in 2002–2003 as a joint project
of ASI and each state association.
I remember my predecessor, Colin Davis’s,
comment that our basic agenda and goals
should be to try to have all States work
together on common issues and break down
any barriers which, dare I say it, may exist
between ASI and the States. I believe we have
achieved that trust, but are now faced with the
challenges of realistic policies, strategies and a
common vision, which could be improved with
more frequent communication.
In this year of the Commonwealth Games
and Pan Pacific Championships, we
witnessed the performances and selection
of the Australian Team and support group
in Brisbane. This was followed by a very
successful Australian Age Championships in
Sydney, at which we saw a rise in upcoming
new talent from around the States.
It is amazing to see the sta≈ of Australian
Swimming consistently beavering away at their
tasks wherever ASI is involved, be it
Championship events, forums, meetings,
seminars. They appear to work twenty four
hours, seven days a week and are never far
from a laptop computer or telephone. We, as
delegates, are most grateful for the extremes
to which they go to accommodate us and all
our needs. On behalf of the delegates, may
I say ‘thank you’ to all ASI employees.
As we look to the future, following the AGM
later this year, each State will be faced with
the challenge of aligning their respective
Constitutions to follow the new Australian
Swimming Constitution, in moving from a Board
of Management to a Board of Governance.
Peter Prunster
chairman