2023 AGM: Directors, Life Members and Award Winners

AusCycling's 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Saturday, May 13.

Director Elections

At the AGM, the following persons were re-elected as directors of AusCycling:

• Craig Bingham
• Lee Brentzell
• Darren Alomes

Life Membership

Life Membership is the highest honour which can be bestowed by AusCycling. It is awarded to recognise eminent achievement and merit to a person who has rendered distinguished or significant contributions to the success, reputation, or positive standing of cycling across Australia.

Life Members are approved by the AusCycling Membership at the AGM.

At the AGM, the following persons received Life Membership:

• Hilton Clarke OAM

Hilton Clarke OAM has been a towering figure in the sport for more than 50 years. As an elite cyclist, he competed widely, winning a silver medal at the 1968 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica.

He also represented Australia at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and won 17 Australian titles between 1966 and 1976. But it’s as a coach that Clarke has had his greatest impact, guiding and developing riders to worldwide success.

Twice awarded Cycling Australia’s Coach of the Year award, Clarke has coached riders to more than 240 Australian and junior and senior world titles. He is an inductee to the Victorian Cycling Hall of Fame and remains active as a coach of both road and track cyclists at the Carnegie Caufield Cycling Club.

• Toireasa Gallagher

Launching her life of cycling as a two-year-old, Toireasa Gallagher has been an elite competitor, coach, volunteer, commissaire and stalwart of the Bathurst Cycling Club.

Gallagher raced at all age levels and competed in state, national and international events. This included riding as a pilot in multiple para-sport games, where she helped secure medals at both the Paralympic Games and IPC World Championships.

Gallagher’s coaching career has seen her guide and mentor countless young riders. She was the head coach of NSW Western Region Academy of Sport from 2014 to 2018. She remains a valued and energetic volunteer at the Bathurst Cycling Club.

• Duncan Murray

As the leader of what has been described as the biggest and most important merger in Australia’s sporting history, Duncan Murray was responsible for creating the foundation from which cycling and riding could thrive.

As Chair of Cycling Australia from July 2018 to November 2020 and then the inaugural Chair of AusCycling for its first 15 months, Murray was responsible for guiding change on a massive scale.

He also played a critical role in securing the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, was a Wollongong 2022 director, and served as a director of the Amy Gillett Foundation between 2006 and 2017.

Meritorious Medal

The Meritorious Medal for contribution to sport recognises service in a particular club, location or discipline. These awards recognise anyone who has provided distinguished service to cycling for 10 or more years of service in one role or a variety of roles. Recipients have provided significant positive impact to the sport.

The 2023 nominations were reviewed by the AusCycling Awards Committee and approved by the Board. The members of the Awards Committee were Anna Meares (track), Brad McGee (road), Chris Scott (para-cycling), Jared Rando (mountain bike), and Tanya Bailey (BMX).

The following persons have been awarded the Meritorious Medal:

• Mick Hollingworth
• Doug Moody
• Jacqui Dobson
• Mark Windsor
• Elaine Ryan
• Gemma Kernich
• Garry Doughty
• Kimberley Conte
• Mark Welsh
• Felicity Liang
• Belinda Bramley
• Tess Anderson
• James Stokes
• Lynette Brodie
• Doug Reith
• John Nicolson
• Ken Payne
• Laurie Norris
• John Buckton

National Volunteer Recognition Program – 2022 Winners

The AusCycling National Volunteer Recognition Program is proudly supported by the Santos Tour Down Under.

• Kath Hopkins

South Coast MTB Club, NSW

Kath has undertaken an incredible amount of work to develop the club including the 2022 AusCycling NSW XCO State Championships, bushfire recovery grant, junior development program, women's rides and other participation clinics.

• Joe Herschel

Randwick Botany Cycling Club, NSW

Joe has been a highly valued committee member since 2020 and is now the VP. He is active in a significant number of areas including leading up sponsorship and race day admin along with brining together a range of events like the Battle of the Bridge, CX, Club Championships and of course running the social media for the club.

• Fred Furner

Macarthur BMX, NSW

Fred is responsible for an incredible amount in the sport of BMX racing in NSW. As president of Macarthur BMX, he has overseen a complete redevelopment of the track to international standard. He is a manager of the Regional Academy program, a gate starter, and has led the club in hosting many state and national events.

• Simon Holmes

Pedal Heads Inc, TAS

Simon founded the local MTB club, Pedal Heads, in St Helens, Tasmania in 2017. He has been instrumental in the community, advocating for mountain biking, growing the club and the engagement with the broader community.

• Matt Manshanden

Launceston BMX Club, TAS

Matt has been a long-time club and committee member. He was a big part of delivering a highly successful 2022 AusCycling BMX Racing National Championships in Launceston.

• Ian Loft

Launceston Cycling Club, TAS

Ian, or 'Lofty' as he is better known, is a stalwart of road and track cycling in Tasmania. He works tirelessly at the Launceston City Cycling Club and in the broader cycling community delivering programs such as AusCycling's Come & Try sessions and schools programs, all way through to state events.

• Chris Houghton

BMX South Queensland, QLD

Chris is an innovative, progressive-thinking and compassionate club advocate, teacher, mentor, friend and inspirational individual. He is always focused on what's best for clubs and doing what he can assist them through good times and bad.

He selflessly gives his time to all who request his help; nothing is ever too much trouble. He was instrumental in the introduction of electronic scoring systems in BMX racing throughout Queensland and continues to train new volunteers in the use of these systems.

He works at all levels of our sport from national, state and club to progress the rider and family experience at every chance in order attract, retain and keep members engaged in our great sport.

• Maree Carman

Logan Cycling Club, QLD

Maree has been involved in cycling for many years. Without her help, there would be no club today. Maree has run the events for many years and is always making sure the events are safe, fun and fair.

• Rachel White

Cairns MTB Club, QLD

Rachel is the secretary. She has played a pivotal role in developing strong relationships and legacies from major events held in Cairns. She is highly active in ensuring the trails are maintained as she is at every club dig day.

• Chrissy Hooper

Canberra BMX Club, ACT

Christine is the glue that holds the Canberra BMX Club together. She single-handedly put together the 2021 state series round. Every race week, she is behind the scenes making sure everything is ready, making sure we have all the officials and volunteers, and running Come & Try days and clean-up days.

• Jim Veal

Vikings Cycling Club, ACT

Jim has been fundamental in developing Canberra-based junior track riders for years, running coaching sessions most weekends at the velodrome. When not coaching, he is the driving force in organising ACT track championships and recently instigated a new track open to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Narrabundah Velodrome. Over the summer period you will also find Jim as a commissaire at the ACT Super Crit series.

• Kirrilie Riddle

Canberra Off-Road Club, ACT

Kirrilie has been the club secretary for countless years. Kirrilie has been a mainstay of all club events, irrespective of the mountain bike discipline, and will always be found assisting in some way or fashion.

• Charles Webb

Darwin Cycling Club, NT

Charles is the driving force of the Darwin Cycling Club. Charles heads the gran fondo committee, for which he spends countless hours organising the event, applying for grants, and speaking to stakeholders.

• Jason Eecen

Jingly BMX Club, NT

Jason is everything NT BMX. Without him, the discipline would not be where it is today in the Territory. With his extensive experience in everything BMX, he is the sport.

• David Atkins

Central Australian Rough Riders, NT

David is committed to growing mountain biking in Alice Springs both in the club and in school. He has been responsible for developing trails and sourcing grants to deliver more riding opportunities. He started and organises two interschool MTB events annually.

• Susan Vincent

Warrnambool BMX Club, VIC

Susan has been the Warrnambool BMX Club's secretary for the past 4+ years. She works on both club and state series events, making sure everything is done. She is always the first one there and the last one to leave.

• Ian Johnston

Gippsland MTB, VIC

Ian is a founding member of Gippsland MTB Inc. His work has seen the development of innovative opportunities in volunteer management processes that increase opportunities for sustainable trail construction and the maintenance of trail network infrastructure. GMTB volunteers delivered the Haunted Hills Mountain Bike Park in May 2022, free for public use.

• David Hendy

Hawthorn Cycling Club, VIC

David is involved in all aspects of the club and sport: race director, development officer, event coordination at regular club and interclub activities. David has streamlined entry and registration processes – it's just seamless for all racers. David contributes a significant amount of time to the club and the sport, and has been a staunch supporter of events including the Hanging Rock Handicap.

• Don Thomas

Southern District BMX, WA

Don has been volunteering in the sport for 20+ years. He is currently the race director for the AusCycling BMX Racing State Series – WA. Don has held many positions within his time as a volunteer, but what stands out most is his willingness to train other future volunteers and officials.

• Chris Park

Perth Mountain Bike Club, WA

Chris gives you countless hours preparing for the XCO events in Perth. He looks after the entries, organises race plates, sets up timing and comms at each XCO race in WA.

• Ross Dyer

Midland Cycling Club, WA

Ross Dyer does an amazing job for the cycling community in general. He is committed to developing youth, helps on race days, and provides amazing opportunities that kids wouldn’t get otherwise.

At every race, Ross volunteers to help: whether that be as commissaire, coaching on the sidelines, checking rollouts and adjusting bikes, or even just taking wonderful candid race photos. He does it all without fuss, without wanting attention or applause, just because he loves the sport and being a part of it.

• John O'Brien

Inside Line Mountain Bike Club, SA

John has primarily had the role of club secretary, but he goes above and beyond this role. He organises all the online registration, shuttles and meetings, and this year he has organised off-season shuttles.

• Don Clifton

Adelaide Hills Cycling Club, SA

Don Clifford puts in countless hours organising the road program of 20 races a year. Without his input, road racing in South Australia wouldn't be the same.

• Jo Wigg

The Cove BMX, SA

Jo is the backbone of BMX in South Australia acting as the race secretary of all of the series events.