Emerging Leaders of the industry

Bayswater resident Helen Cunningham is the 2008 recipient of the Dr Heather MacGowan OAM Scholarship, awarded as part of The Department of Sport and Recreation’s Western Australian Sport and Recreation Emerging Leaders Program.

01 October 2008

The $10,000 scholarship recognises Helen as a future leader in sport and recreation in her community and is awarded annually to a person aged between 18 and 30 years working in the sport and recreation industry.

Department of Sport and Recreation Director General Ron Alexander said the scholarship was awarded to those with the potential to make a significant contribution to sport and recreation in the Western Australian community.

"The scholarship recognises the life's work and achievements of Dr Heather MacGowan. Heather was an inspirational and extraordinary woman who had a long and distinguished career in sport and recreation in several states of Australia - including Western Australia - in professional, academic and volunteer roles," Mr Alexander said.

"I hope the scholarship will support Helen's own efforts to make her mark on the Western Australian sport and recreation industry and I congratulate her on her achievement."

Five separate $10,000 scholarships for self-directed learning and 20 places in a bi-monthly workshop series and associated business coaching sessions were also awarded as part of the The Western Australian Sport and Recreation Emerging Leaders Program.

The successful applicants were:

Scholarships ($10,000)

• Tim Mahon (Heathridge) - Western Australian Institute of Sport
• Cameron Agnew (Margaret River) - Shire of Augusta-Margaret River
• Sandra Hill-Williamson (Tapping) - Football West
• Amanda Hunt (North Beach) - Recreation and Sport Network
• Thomas Morris (Salter Point) - Rowing WA

Workshop series:

• John Toomey (Wembley Downs) - City of Stirling
• Chris Thompson (Osborne Park) - WA Cycling Federation
• Laura Reid (Karrinyup) - Swimming WA
• David Clear (Balcatta) - WA Cricket Association
• Kristy Strange (Glendalough) - Department of Education & Training
• Evan Stewart (Scarborough) - Department of Sport & Recreation
• Ryan Willis (Ferndale) - Department of Sport & Recreation
• Jonelle Burns (Riverton) - Australian Sports Commission
• Rachael Steen (Newdegate) - Gymnastics WA
• Kevin Knapp (Floreat) - City of Belmont
• Liane Tooth (Wembley) - Department of Sport & Recreation
• Struan Burges (Dalkeith) - Department of Sport & Recreation
• Megan Nash (Tom Price) - Shire of Ashburton
• Scott Bird (Dudley Park) - City of Mandurah
• Brendan McNally (Kardinya) - Shire of Rockingham
• Craig Johnson (Connolly) - City of Joondalup
• Darren von Bergheim (Padbury) - Department of Sport & Recreation
• Ben Mollett (Heathridge) - Australian Sports Commission
• Greg Williams (Edgewater) - Australian Sports Commission
• Kim Ellwood (Como) - Department of Sport & Recreation

The scholarships are designed to support successful applicants in pursuing professional development opportunities, while the workshop series, held over two years, is aimed at enhancing the leadership capabilities of emerging leaders.

Mr Alexander said every industry needed competent, contemporary leaders.

He said through the Emerging Leaders program, the department was investing significant funding into the future of the sport and recreation industry.

"With the focus firmly being placed on healthy lifestyles and the importance of sport and recreation in the community, it is vital that we identify and develop future leaders to improve the social and physical wellbeing and improved long-term performance of key organisations in the sport and recreation industry," Mr Alexander said.

"The Department of Sport and Recreation is dedicated to being a quality provider of leadership and developmental opportunities to strengthen not only these organisations, but the human resources within the sport and recreation industry."