The Board is AUSactive's linkage to the exercise and active health industry. The Board is responsible for providing strategic leadership of the organisation within a framework of prudent and effective controls, and establishing the organisation's vision, mission, values, and standards of conduct in the interests of industry members, stakeholders and the communities in which AUSactive operates.
It has an obligation to fulfill fiduciary responsibilities, guard against undue risk, determine governing policies and program priorities and monitor and assess executive performance.
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Jayne has managed her own consultancy business, JBC International since 2009, specialising in assisting people and organisations to effectively plan for, and drive personal and business growth. Through JBC, Jayne has achieved success in coaching and consulting assignments in the Corporate, SME and Not-For-Profit segments.
Jayne has also successfully performed Board roles including Chair, and Chair Audit and Risk and other Board Committees, she is currently a Director HeartKids, an organisation which aims to conquer Congenital Heart Disease, the single biggest cause of death of Australian babies.
In her corporate career, Jayne worked for Vodafone Group in various General Manager roles in the UK and Australia, in Finance, Commercial and Customer Service functions, until becoming Sales Director in 2004.
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With over two decades as a gym owner and a solid foundation in real estate, Mel's international reach has seen her travelled the globe, imparting knowledge and presenting on diverse platforms. As the brain behind several events, an engaging podcast host, and advisor too many, Mel's association with global brands has further her influence in the industry. Mel stands tall as a fervent advocate of the fitness sector, ceaselessly pushing for positive transformative change and inspiring synergy within. Her foresight in identifying emerging industry trends and innovations has repeatedly garnered acclaim. Since 2003, she has been an integral member of esteemed fitness industry associations and significant roundtables, both in Australia and internationally. She has taught and presented globally.
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Elaine is a Fitness Industry veteran having spent 30 years in executive positions working for a number of the world's largest fitness brands. Her roles have taken her all over the globe having worked in Asia, Europe, South Africa and now Australia. She is best known for teaming up with well-known industry entrepreneurs including Mike Balfour OBE - Founder of Fitness First, Sir Richard Branson owner of Virgin Active South Africa and Brendon Levenson founder of Jetts Fitness. Having previously won the Deloitte Best Company to work in South Africa, Elaine is passionate about building successful companies through great cultures and growing exceptional Leaders. She is the 2017 winner of the Sunshine Coast Business Women's network 'Outstanding Business Woman of the Year' and guest author for the Institute of Managers and Leaders bestselling book, Leadership Matters. Elaine recently performed a Management Buy Out of Jetts Australia taking back the ownership of the brand from The Fitness and Lifestyle Group.
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Emmett Williams, Bcom GAICD has had the rare experience of working throughout the fitness industry in multiple regions of the world, most recently returning to Australian shores after spending 10 years in the United States. Having built and owned gyms on one side of the ledger, to having owned and grown the international sales & marketing company CFM on the other side of the ledger, Emmett now allocates most of his time as a founding partner & the CEO of APAC for the wearable technology company, Myzone.
Emmett was in past years awarded entry onto Fitness Australia’s (AusActive) prestigious ‘Roll of Honour’ for his excellence in leadership, whilst also accepting IHRSA’s ‘Supplier of the Year’ award on behalf of Myzone. Emmett currently sits on the advisory board of IHRSA’s Industry Partner Council and is a council member of the Global Health and Fitness Alliance, a group that works to influence intergovernmental policy that grows the fitness industry.
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David has been involved in all areas of the fitness industry for 25+ years. Roles have included Personal Trainer, swim instructor, group exercise instructor, multi-site Operations Manager, General Manager and CEO of some of Australia’s largest, most well known and successful fitness brands. These included Genesis, Fenix Fitness, Goodlife, Fitness First and BFT. Prior to his current APAC CEO role at BFT, David was for 8 years, a key Senior Executive with Fitness and Lifestyle Group (FLG). David has been involved at Board level since age 25, sitting as a Board member of Fitness Victoria. He has also been involved with local sporting communities and School Boards for the past 10 years. In 2009 - 2012, David was heavily involved with Fitness Australia, both with financial backing from his chain of gyms, Fenix, as well as personal involvement, fighting against the proposed unfair music copyright licensing fees and the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) with great success.
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Jen Dugard is the founder of the Body Beyond Baby brand, creator of Fitness Professional education Safe Return to Exercise and author of the book How to Love your Body as much as your Baby.
Jen has over 13 years’ experience within the Fitness Industry in a range of roles from Personal Trainer, Outdoor Group Fitness business owner, mentor, educator and presenter.
Jen’s personal mission is to raise the standard of the fitness industry through education and collaboration and has been executing this for many years within the pre and postnatal space. Positioning herself as a specialist both in working with women and training the trainers that work with women, she is a huge advocate of strengthening relationships between the fitness industry, allied health and medical industry.
Jen shares her knowledge and experience by regularly presenting at key industry conferences including FILEX in Australia, ExPro in Singapore and later FITEx in New Zealand. She also writes regularly for What’s New in Fitness and Women’s Health Australia.
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Kate is a lawyer, mediator, director and governance professional with a background as a litigator at one of Australia’s major regulatory organisations (ASADA); & ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecution. She is an experienced Executive Officer and National Board Chair with a reputation for using advocacy and communication to build organisational culture, governance reform and strategic transformation. Kate is currently the Director of Sport Governance & Strategy at Sport Australia and the Chair of Judo Australia and an appointee to the International Judo Federation Gender Equity Commission. Kate sits on the judiciary of Basketball ACT and Softball ACT. She is a group fitness instructor teaching Les Mills programs in Canberra.
Kate’s reputation is for achieving outstanding financial results, governance improvement, staff and volunteer engagement and for being an inspiring leader. The breadth and depth of her experience with national and state sporting organisations, government stakeholders and community organisations has ensured she is sought out to work broadly across all areas of the sporting, fitness and community sectors to grow organisational results, profile and participation and to lead change.
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Ryan is the Chief Executive Officer at Les Mills Asia Pacific and a highly regarded (REPS registered) group fitness instructor with more than 20 years’ experience. With a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm), Ryan is a senior and strategic executive with a proven background leading businesses in the global fitness industry. Ryan is recognised as an experienced leader who specialises in driving organisational culture, change management, strategy development and growth. A thought-provoking and engaging public speaker, Ryan has presented at conferences and events throughout Australia and around the world.
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Sally has delivered Pilates specialist training and education for over 30 years around the world. She founded and directed Pilates International studios, an RTO, for 19 years, specialising in government accredited Pilates education and professional industry development. CEO of Pilates International, she also led compliance and course accreditation, and an articulation of the VET Pilates courses into Health Science degrees with University Canberra. Sally founded Reach Movement Health in 2020, to focus on providing prescriptive movement for health and wellness
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Tim Firth is a Solicitor of Leora Rose Law. He holds five postgraduate degrees, including a Juris Doctor; Master of Laws (international commercial law and dispute resolution); Graduate Diplomas in Strategic Leadership; Management (Education); and Legal Practice.
Having owned and managed several successful businesses since 2008, Tim utilises his passion, practical commercial knowledge, and experience to provide strategic business and risk management advice to start-ups, SMEs, and large corporations, from fitness centres to registered training organisations to ASX listed companies.
Tim has been involved with the fitness industry since 2007. He launched Brisbane's first 24-hour gym, owned and operated a large fitness centre on the Gold Coast, and delivered personal training qualifications for two of Australia's leading education providers.
Tim is the Chair of an Indigenous charity and holds Fellowships with the Governance Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Management. He regularly presents to medical professionals, university students, teachers, and fitness professionals domestically and internationally. Tim is also an accredited player agent with the AFL.
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Barrie brings over 20 years’ CEO experience of successful organisational change, strategic development and business growth across a range of sectors such as Education, Health and Community Services.
You’ll regularly hear Barrie talking about his passions and experiences including surfing, Triathlons, keeping his mental health and wellbeing strong through exercise, trekking the Kokoda Trail and Macchu Pichu, Led Zeppelin and Hot Rods - all for the purpose of making meaningful connections. Barrie has a longstanding personal and professional interest in adventure play for children and is currently completing a Doctorate in Early Childhood Education.
Today Barrie is proud to be the CEO of AUSactive, the peak national health and fitness industry association activating everybody, every way, every day.
Finance and Risk Committee
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Bringing over 16 years of experience, Kevin joined Collective Wellness Group (CWG) in March 2016, shortly after its establishment. He held senior finance roles across various industries prior to joining CWG. As the Group CFO, Kevin provides leadership to the finance team, ensuring comprehensive oversight of all financial aspects within the organisation. Notably, he is the Chair and member of CWG’s Finance and Risk Committee, contributing his financial expertise and risk management skills to the group’s strategic decisions. Collectively, the brands under the CWG umbrella, including Anytime Fitness, have thrived under his financial leadership. In addition, Kevin holds the position of a director at Australian Ice Racing, a non-profit sports organisation. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Kevin’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in accounting, CPA designation, and an MBA (Dean’s merit) from Macquarie Business School.
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Jayne has managed her own consultancy business, JBC International since 2009, specialising in assisting people and organisations to effectively plan for, and drive personal and business growth. Through JBC, Jayne has achieved success in coaching and consulting assignments in the Corporate, SME and Not-For-Profit segments.
Jayne has also successfully performed Board roles including Chair, and Chair Audit and Risk and other Board Committees, she is currently a Director HeartKids, an organisation which aims to conquer Congenital Heart Disease, the single biggest cause of death of Australian babies.
In her corporate career, Jayne worked for Vodafone Group in various General Manager roles in the UK and Australia, in Finance, Commercial and Customer Service functions, until becoming Sales Director in 2004.
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Ryan is the Chief Executive Officer at Les Mills Asia Pacific and a highly regarded (REPS registered) group fitness instructor with more than 20 years’ experience. With a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm), Ryan is a senior and strategic executive with a proven background leading businesses in the global fitness industry. Ryan is recognised as an experienced leader who specialises in driving organisational culture, change management, strategy development and growth. A thought-provoking and engaging public speaker, Ryan has presented at conferences and events throughout Australia and around the world.
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Emmett Williams, Bcom GAICD has had the rare experience of working throughout the fitness industry in multiple regions of the world, most recently returning to Australian shores after spending 10 years in the United States. Having built and owned gyms on one side of the ledger, to having owned and grown the international sales & marketing company CFM on the other side of the ledger, Emmett now allocates most of his time as a founding partner & the CEO of APAC for the wearable technology company, Myzone.
Emmett was in past years awarded entry onto Fitness Australia’s (AusActive) prestigious ‘Roll of Honour’ for his excellence in leadership, whilst also accepting IHRSA’s ‘Supplier of the Year’ award on behalf of Myzone. Emmett currently sits on the advisory board of IHRSA’s Industry Partner Council and is a council member of the Global Health and Fitness Alliance, a group that works to influence intergovernmental policy that grows the fitness industry.
Nominations and Remuneration Committee
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Jayne has managed her own consultancy business, JBC International since 2009, specialising in assisting people and organisations to effectively plan for, and drive personal and business growth. Through JBC, Jayne has achieved success in coaching and consulting assignments in the Corporate, SME and Not-For-Profit segments.
Jayne has also successfully performed Board roles including Chair, and Chair Audit and Risk and other Board Committees, she is currently a Director HeartKids, an organisation which aims to conquer Congenital Heart Disease, the single biggest cause of death of Australian babies.
In her corporate career, Jayne worked for Vodafone Group in various General Manager roles in the UK and Australia, in Finance, Commercial and Customer Service functions, until becoming Sales Director in 2004.
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Kate is a lawyer, mediator, director and governance professional with a background as a litigator at one of Australia’s major regulatory organisations (ASADA); & ACT Office of the Director of Public Prosecution. She is an experienced Executive Officer and National Board Chair with a reputation for using advocacy and communication to build organisational culture, governance reform and strategic transformation. Kate is currently the Director of Sport Governance & Strategy at Sport Australia and the Chair of Judo Australia and an appointee to the International Judo Federation Gender Equity Commission. Kate sits on the judiciary of Basketball ACT and Softball ACT. She is a group fitness instructor teaching Les Mills programs in Canberra.
Kate’s reputation is for achieving outstanding financial results, governance improvement, staff and volunteer engagement and for being an inspiring leader. The breadth and depth of her experience with national and state sporting organisations, government stakeholders and community organisations has ensured she is sought out to work broadly across all areas of the sporting, fitness and community sectors to grow organisational results, profile and participation and to lead change.
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Sally has delivered Pilates specialist training and education for over 30 years around the world. She founded and directed Pilates International studios, an RTO, for 19 years, specialising in government accredited Pilates education and professional industry development. CEO of Pilates International, she also led compliance and course accreditation, and an articulation of the VET Pilates courses into Health Science degrees with University Canberra. Sally founded Reach Movement Health in 2020, to focus on providing prescriptive movement for health and wellness
Finance and Risk Committee
The Australian Fitness Industry Standards Council has been established to advance and elevate Australia’s exercise and active health industry. The Council’s objectives are to develop, manage, promote and review a suite of standards, codes, guidance materials to assist the industry to manage safety and improve service quality.
The Council comprises a diverse range of experts in exercise and active health service delivery, education, law and business. The Industry Standards Council is focused on the future positive direction of our industry.
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Dr. Betul Sekendiz obtained her PhD in Sport Management from Bond University on the Gold Coast, specialising in risk management and minimisation of legal liability issues in the health and fitness industry. Her doctoral research was a catalyst for a nationwide research project (Australian Fitness Industry Risk Management [AFIRM] Project) funded by the Australian Research Council and industry partners Fitness Australia and Sports Medicine Australia that has informed industry policy and practices. Sekendiz has been presenting in international congresses and publishing in leading peer-reviewed academic and trade journals in the areas of risk management, work health and safety, emergency preparedness and legal liability issues in the health and fitness industry that reflects on her experience in the industry both as a professional and an international athlete in bodybuilding. Sekendiz is an award winning academic for her outstanding contributions in higher education and has been recognised for her expertise through media citations and interviews. Sekendiz has been an expert witness on high profile legal liability cases and disseminates her expertise through her risk management consultancy business for fitness service providers.
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Anita Delbridge Goswell is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Pilates Method Teacher and Director of Lifestyle Pilates and Rehabilitation Studio Pty Ltd. She has a Bachelor of Education (PDHPE), Graduate Certificate in Exercise Science (Rehabilitation), Graduate Certificate in the Pilates Method, Diploma of Contemporary Pilates and Teaching Methodology and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Anita has work in several roles since 1990 including management, group fitness coordinator, personal trainer, staff training, sales and marketing. Anita bought the first commercial Pilates studio to Newcastle in 2002, it was recently awarded AUSactive Pilates Business of the Year 2022. She has delivered Certificate IV and Diploma courses in the Pilates Method, Certificate IV and the Diploma of Fitness. She is an educator on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, pre- and post-partum exercise for allied health professionals and Pilates instructors. She has co-written a Guide to Setting up a Small Business as an Exercise Physiologist.
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Simon Bishop is the Head of Integrity at Basketball Australia. Simon joined Basketball Australia in 2016 and worked closely with the National Integrity of Sport Unit and Sport Australia to develop Basketball Australia’s National Integrity Framework. This Framework applies across all levels of the sport from elite to grassroots and covers a broad range of issues including gambling and match-fixing, anti-doping, sports science and sports medicine, illicit drugs and member protection.
As Head of Integrity, Simon is responsible for the implementation and management of the National Integrity Framework, including monitoring wagering markets, managing intelligence and investigations and delivering participant education. Simon also oversees Basketball Australia’s Security Framework.
Prior to joining Basketball Australia, Simon analysed integrity issues and risks, particularly in relation to sports wagering, at the sub-elite level of Victorian sport for Sport and Recreation Victoria.
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Dr. Elisabeth Wilson-Evered is a Research Fellow with the Institute for Health and Sport and honorary Professor at Victoria University (V.U) where she is involved in research projects and supervising doctoral students. She has been a registered and practicing psychologist since 1987 and worked across industry sectors, public, private, government and military as a researcher, clinician, leader, and project manager. At VU, Elisabeth has been Head of the School of Management and Information Systems and Director of the Victoria Graduate School of Business (VGSB). She has also held the role of Director of Research and Research Training. Elisabeth has continuously consulted with and conducted research for diverse industries since for over 25 years.
Elisabeth’s expertise is in areas of mental health and physical activity, sport leadership and integrity, technology adoption and innovation, health services research such and process evaluation in RCTs which implement interventions in complex systems.
She studies mental health and physical activity, leadership and sport and health business performance. Her industry work is change management, leadership development, sport integrity, project management of information systems implementation, managing mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, team development, coaching, mentoring military psychology. Apart from the Standard's Council of Fitness Australia (AFISC), Elisabeth has a number of board memberships.
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Dr. Dan Jolley is an Accredited AusREP and lectures in Certificate III and IV in Fitness at South Metropolitan TAFE, in Perth. He has been studying and working in the fitness and sports industries since 1997. He has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, and a master’s in exercise physiology. His doctorate in education psychology examined the knowledge, and critical thinking skills, of Australian fitness students and professionals. Dan previously worked as a strength and conditioning coach for several successful teams, including the Perth Scorchers (WBBL), and in the Western Australian Football League competition. He was also the head of strength and conditioning for the Australian national gridiron team for two world championship campaigns.
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Christie Boucher is the Risk Services Manager at Guild Insurance. Christie has over 20 years’ experience as an educator having started her career as a secondary school health and physical education teacher. For about 15 years Christie’s career has been focused on developing risk management education resources and programs for various professionals. Christie has a keen interest in the role education can play in managing risk by raising awareness and changing behaviour.
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Cheye Hill has been actively involved in the health and fitness industry for over twenty years in a variety of leadership roles in facilities both on the east and west coast of Australia, which include the multi-award winning Goldfields Oasis, Kalgoorlie – Boulder and the Cockburn ARC. Currently, Cheye is the Manager of Leisure Services at the Town of Port Hedland whilst maintaining a directorship role at Genesis Fitness Parramatta. Cheye is passionate about providing accessible exercise opportunities for all Australians especially those from regional and rural locations.
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Gavin Aquilina is the Chief Operations Officer for Reunion Group Training and the Head of Athletic Conditioning for Northern Suburbs Rugby’s Shute Shield team. For the past 25 years Gavin has been a guest coach for the Australian Institute of Fitness and a Global Master Trainer for Life Fitness/Hammer Strength for the past 20 years. Gavin holds the powerful combination of a Bachelor of Human Movement/Sports Science and a Masters in Human Nutrition. His Master’s thesis was, ‘A complex systems model approach to fat loss”.
Gavin has experience as an owner, trainer and manager in fitness. He has completed 1000’s of presentations in 43 countries over the past 30 years, making him one of the World’s most experienced global fitness professionals. This led to him founding the Fitness Professionals Global Summit, a free summit for fitness professionals. Over the 4 Summits hosted, he had more than 17,000 trainers from around the globe attend.
CEO
General Manager of Business Development
General Manager, Standards & Development
General Manager, Corporate Service & Commercial
Policy and Advocacy Officer
Business Partnership Manager
Membership and Operations Manager
Customer Service Officer
Standards & Education Manager
Standards, Development and Membership Coordinator
Event Coordinator
Marketing Coordinator
Marketing & Projects
Marketing Coordinator
Education & Compliance Coordinator
Relationship Manager
Membership Officer & ECOactive project team
Membership Sales Coordinator
Dedicated Sustainability Intern
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