Governance

Who is Calisthenics Victoria?

Calisthenics Victoria is the recognised state sporting association for calisthenics in Victoria.

We are a member based organisation, governed by a voluntary Board who oversee the strategic direction of the organisation.

The Board is elected at the Annual General Meeting, and includes: Chair, Deputy Chair, Director of Finance, Director of Competitions, Adjudicator Representative, Coach Representative and up to four General Members who meet monthly and make decisions relating to the future direction of the sport. Volunteer committees coordinate a number of areas including the State Championships, Competitions, Grading and our talented Coaches throughout Victoria.

Calisthenics Victoria has an office in Oakleigh, with a team of committed staff who manage the day to day administration of the sport, volunteers, committees, clubs, coaches, performers and their families, and works with a range of stakeholders outside the sport.

Calisthenics Victoria Board

Having joined the Calisthenics Victoria Board as a General member 4 years ago, Jess was elected Chair of the Board in 2018.

In the past four years Jess has been a member of the Compliance Committee for two years and since 2015 has represented Victoria as one of the Victorian Delegates to the ACF Council.  She has represented the Board at stakeholder forums and has developed many positive relationships with various members of the calisthenics community throughout this time.

Introduced to Calisthenics at the age of 7 as a performer at Raieburn Calisthenics Club, Jess has also held many roles within the calisthenics community.  These include being an assistant coach, committee member, marketing and social media coordinator at the club, receiving Life Membership with Raieburn and of course her membership on the Calisthenics Victoria Board.

Professionally, Jess is an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist currently working in a national role for a large beverage manufacturing company.  She holds a Degree in Health Sciences (Ergonomics) and a Diploma of Business Management and is also a qualified auditor, trainer and investigator.

When not working or supporting calisthenics Jess enjoys photography, watching and participating in musical theatre and watching great films / television.

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Deputy Chair – Angela Wijeratne

After four years in the driving seat as President of Calisthenics Victoria, achieving significant change and development of the sport including a Governance review and restructure, governance improvements across the organisation and leading the Strategic Planning Process, Angela was elected Deputy Chair in 2018.

Extremely proud of many achievements, including the introduction of the fresh, new brand for the sport, Angela recognised that every good plan is to have a succession plan to ensure the smooth ‘passing of the batten’ to keep momentum and progression for the organisation.  Therefore, she is committed to moving into this new role where she can continue to support the Board with enthusiasm, passion and dedication.

Angela’s love of calisthenics began at the age of 9 when she joined the Dandenong Calisthenics Club’s and was then enhanced during the 21 years she spent at St Gerards Calisthenics Club as a mother and committee member, holding the positions of President, Vice President and General Member.  Angela even competed as a Master at St Gerards!

Professionally, and together with her husband and son, Angela runs a successful accounting practice where she is the Practice Manager.  Angela has also administered the Aus-Lanka South Cricket Tours to Sri Lanka for the past 6 years and volunteers on the Board of Management of the Singithi Sevana Children’s Home, Colombo Sri Lanka.  After winning a Victorian Women’s Good Governance Scholarship through Women on Boards she completed and graduated the Australian Institute of Company Director’s Course.

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Director of Finance – Wayne Pennell

Wayne has an extensive Corporate Finance background that spans over 30 years, including 15 years at BHP. An experienced Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, Wayne brings with him international experience, an extensive technical accounting skill set, business transformation experience, a best practice mindset and a background in ensuring sound financial governance. Wayne also holds a B.A (Degree) in Accounting and FCPA membership.

Sport has always been part of Wayne’s life and for a number of years he represented South Australia in table tennis. He has held a number of positions within sporting organisations, including being an Auskick coach for 5 years, a junior football coach, Treasurer of the Murrumbeena Junior Football Club and an Auditor for the Brighton District Table Tennis Club.

When not working or supporting his children’s sporting interests Wayne enjoys cycling with friends, golf and watching sport live or on TV.

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General Member – Margaret Sprague

Margaret has been involved with Calisthenics for the past 59 years, in varying roles. Margaret’s involvement in Calisthenics began at St Cecilia’s Calisthenic Club, before she moved to Minerva Calisthenic College. She currently has granddaughters at Merinda and Bundoora. Margaret and her daughters, Vanessa and Toni, have run the Northern District Calisthenic Competitions for the past 15 years.

Margaret founded Bundoora Calisthenics Club in 1968,of which she is a Life Member.  She has also held a position on the Grading Committee and been a Victorian Competitions representative. Margaret was awarded volunteer of the Year in 2012.

Julie began adjudicating in 1971, became a Level 1 Adjudicator in 1993, the inaugural year of accreditation, and an Advanced Level 2 Adjudicator in 1997. She has adjudicated the National Championships on three occasions, has extensive experience in adjudicating at RSSS (since 1976), CVI and many other Victorian and interstate competitions. Julie was appointed as an ACF Skills Examiner to Gold Medal level in 1985, and redeveloped the aesthetic and dance sections of the program. In 1995, and she was appointed as an inaugural member of the ACF Examiners’ Advisory Board in 2000.

Julie commenced calisthenics at age 8 and joined Clifton Calisthenic College at age 15 where she enjoyed many successful years as a championship performer being coached by Miss Vera Hopton B.E.M. At the age of 17 Julie won the prestigious Royal South Street Graceful Girl title. She then went on to coach all age groups at this very successful Championship class.

In 2006 Julie was awarded the ACF Official of the Year, and in 2015 awarded a life membership to Calisthenics Victoria. She is also a life member of the Royal Academy of Dance.

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General Member – Emma Iles

Emma joined the Calisthenics Victoria Board as a General member in 2018. She is also a member of the Audit and Risk committee.

Emma has a long history with calisthenics, having started the sport at age 3 and competing for over 20 years. During this time she was a member of the Victorian State Team for 12 years and an active competitor in graceful solos. In 2005 she won the Graceful Girl competition at Royal South Street and in 2006 completed her Gold Medal with Honours.  Emma has also been a coach for over 10 years, having coached both teams and solos. In 2019 Emma will move into a new role in the calisthenics world, as a mother, with her 3 year old daughter starting Tinies.

Professionally, Emma is a solicitor specialising in intellectual property disputes. She holds degrees in both Law (Honours) and Biomedical Science, she also has a Masters of Commercial Law.

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General Member – Dr Leeanda Wilton

Leeanda was a calisthenics competitor for almost 25 years, beginning at Chelsea Calisthenics at age four before moving to Regent Calisthenics College as an Intermediate. She has been a graceful girl soloist, an assistant coach, solo coach and an adjudicator’s writer. In 2015 she was appointed as a Calisthenics Victoria Ambassador.

Professionally, Leeanda has a PhD, specialising in human infertility and genetics. She is a Churchill Fellow and was Scientific Director of an internationally recognised scientific research laboratory for almost 20 years, winning numerous national and international prizes for her work.

Leeanda has extensive experience as a non-executive director, serving on the Board of The Fertility Society of Australia, of which she is a Life Member, the Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis International Society and the Victorian Infertility Treatment Authority, amongst others.

Leeanda knows that the skills of self-confidence and performing she learnt as a calisthenics competitor contributed to her career success. She is delighted to be appointed to the Calisthenics Victoria Board and welcomes the opportunity to give back to the sport she loves.