The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Appointments to boards of Australian Sports Foundation and Australian Sports Commission

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced the appointment of Ms Pamela Tye OAM as Chair of the Australian Sports Foundation.

Senator Kemp also announced the appointments of Mr Greg Hartung OAM, Mr Geoffrey Stooke OAM and Mr John Eales AM as Directors of the Foundation and the re-appointment of Ms Michelle Ford-Eriksson to both the Board of the Australian Sports Commission and the Foundation.

The Foundation was established by the Australian Government to raise funds for the development of Australian sport.

“These appointments provide the Foundation with the right blend of experience and fresh ideas to oversee the Foundation’s operation over the next few years,” Minister Kemp said.

“The Government recognises that the capacity of local communities to participate in sport is influenced by the level of access to facilities and equipment. The Foundation is in a unique position to provide an avenue of tax deductibility to organisations that are keen to register and undertake a fundraising campaign to develop a sport related project.”

Support for community sport through the Foundation has risen to nearly $10 million per year. The Foundation has assisted non-profit sporting organisations, schools, councils and community organisations across Australia to raise money for a variety of sport-related projects.

Ms Tye has been a director of the ASF since November 2002. She also has had extensive involvement in Australian hockey at all levels.

Mr Hartung, Mr Stooke and Mr Eales collectively possess the sport-specific, business and governance acumen required to guide the Foundation.

Mr Hartung is currently the President of the Australian Paralympic Committee.

Mr Stooke is currently the Managing Director of the Standard Wool Australia Group of Companies. He is also Chairman of Rugby WA and was a driving force behind Western Australia’s successful bid to join the Super 14 Rugby competition.

Mr Eales is an ambassador for Australian Rugby Union having played 86 Rugby Tests for Australia, captaining the national team on 55 occasions. In 2001 he founded JohnEales5, a company that was a leading sales agent for corporate hospitality during the Rugby World Cup 2003 and is currently a director with the corporate and sporting culture and development group, Mettle.

The appointment will see a continuation of Mr Eale’s role with the Australian Sports Commission.

“In addition, I am pleased to announce the re-appointment of Ms Michelle Ford-Eriksson to both the Boards of the Australian Sports Commission and Australian Sports Foundation,” Mr Kemp said.

Ms Ford-Eriksson is currently the Business Development Manager for TECHWAN SA, a Swiss-based information technology company, Director of Swimming Australia and Sydney International Masters Games, and is also a consultant to the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. She has had a successful international swimming career, having won Gold medals for Australia at Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

“I am confident that these appointments provide the necessary mix of skills and commitment to ensure the Foundation remains well placed to assist sporting communities at the grass roots level,” Senator Kemp said.

A brief biography of each appointee is attached.

See www.ausport.gov.au and www.asf.org.au for further information about the ASC and ASF respectively.

Ms Pamela Tye OAM

Ms Tye’s involvement with the hockey movement includes terms as Vice President of the Federation of International Hockey (2001, 2004), President of Hockey Australia (2001–2004), President of the Australian Women’s Hockey Association (1996–2000), liaison officer for International Hockey (2000 Olympics), member of the Men’s World Cup Organising Committee (1994), chairperson of the Organising Committee for the Women’s Hockey World Cup (1990) and president of a number of hockey associations in NSW (1970–1980). She has also been a director of the board of Sydney 2000 Paralympics Organising Committee and a member of Sydney Youth Olympic Festival Committee.

Ms Tye worked for over 40 years as a teacher with NSW Department of Education (1957–1998), including 25 years as a senior administrator.

In 1992 Ms Tye received the Order of Australia Medal for her contribution to sport and in 2001 received the Award of Merit 2001 from Federation of International Hockey for her contribution to international hockey. She received the NSW Olympic Council Order of Merit for an outstanding contribution to sport and to the Olympic Movement.

Mr John Eales AM

Mr Eales is an Ambassador for Australian Rugby Union. A former captain of Australia’s international rugby team, the Wallabies, he was spokesman for VISA International’s sponsorship of the 2003 Ruby World Cup. Among his other activities, Mr Eales has developed a consultancy, John Eales 5, that organises corporate entertainment.

At his retirement from rugby in September 2001, Mr Eales was the second-most capped Wallaby player ever and the most capped Wallaby captain. He played 86 Tests for Australia, captaining the team on 55 occasions accumulating 173 test points. He led the Wallabies to victories including the 1999 World Cup, four successive years of Bledisloe Cup wins, two successful seasons of Tri-Nations fixtures and the first ever defeat of the British and Irish Lions. During this time Mr Eales was regarded as the most outstanding forward in world rugby.

Mr Greg Hartung OAM

Mr Hartung is President of the Australian Paralympic Committee and a member of the Governing Board of the International Paralympic Committee. He has been a director on various boards and councils—including the Australian Sports Foundation (1995–1996), Australian Coaching Council, Australian Yachting Federation and ACT Rugby Union. Currently the Company Director and Principal of GNH Management Pty Ltd, he has held positions with Access Communications Pty Ltd and IPR Shandwick.

Mr Hartung has also held a position of General Manager with the Australian Sports Commission from 1984 to 1988. He has a background in journalism and has contributed to a number of sport-related reports and publications.

 
Mr Geoffrey Stooke OAM

Mr Stooke is Director of the Australian Wool Exchange and is currently the Managing Director and Chairman of Standard Wool Australia Group of Companies—the largest WA-owned wool company in Western Australia. He is also Chairman of Rugby WA and was Chairman of the Project Team that put together the successful Rugby WA submission for Australia’s Super 14 Team.

Mr Stooke has held senior management positions in the fishing and resources industries. As an Army officer from 1966 to 1980 he saw service in Australia and overseas. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Ms Michelle Ford-Eriksson

Ms Ford-Eriksson is Business Development Manager for TECHWAN SA, a Swiss‑based information technology company. She is also a consultant to the Sydney Olympic Park Authority.

Ms Ford-Eriksson has had an extensive international swimming career, having represented Australia at Olympic and Commonwealth Games. She is currently a Board member of Swimming Australia Ltd.

MELBOURNE

18 August 2006