Fitness Australia announces election of new Directors

The fitness industry’s peak association Fitness Australia has today announced two new Directors and the re-election of a current Director, following its 2020 Board elections last month.

The newly elected Directors are independent business owner, Edwina Griffin, who owns and runs Fitwomen and Fitmum Accreditation Programs in Queensland and NSW and Greg Oliver, Chief Executive and Managing Director of the Fitness & Lifestyle Group.

The elections also saw the re-election of current Director, Justin McDonell of the Collective Wellness Group.

Fitness Australia Chair, Jayne Blake said the appointment of Oliver and Griffin, as an independent business owner, ensured the Board had representation from the entire industry.

She advised "we are delighted to welcome Greg and Edwina to the Fitness Australia Board. Edwina brings more than 30 years’ experience within the fitness industry and also currently works within allied health. Her knowledge and skills within a fitness business, as a personal trainer and allied health will certainly strengthen Fitness Australia’s focus on being closely aligned with allied health in the future.

“As CEO and MD Fitness & Lifestyle Group, a network of more than 395 sites worldwide servicing 720,000 members, Greg Oliver brings more than 40 years of fitness industry involvement and experience including advocacy to the Fitness Australia Board.

“This year’s Board elections also saw the re-election of Justin McDonell who has been a valuable Board Member since 2013. Together with all Directors, his contribution to the Fitness Australia Board has been exceptional, particularly with our focus on Service Excellence, Quality Assurance Employment and AusREP accreditation, which are designed to raise the bar of the industry and provide greater consumer confidence.

The Fitness Australia Board now comprises of the following Directors:

• Jayne Blake (independent, appointed Chair) NSW (expires 2021)
• Chris Hicks, NSW (appointed, expires 2021)
• Paige Buse, Victoria (appointed, expires 2021)
• Kate Corkery, ACT (appointed, expires 2021)
• Jen Dugard, NSW (AusREP elected, expires 2022)
• Chantal Brodrick, Queensland (AusREP elected, expires 2022)
• Edwina Griffin (elected, expires 2023)
• Greg Oliver (elected, expires 2023)
• Justin McDonell (elected, expires 2023).
(Appointed Directors have a two-year term; with elected Directors serving a three-year term)

Blake added "the Fitness Australia Board is committed to delivering the strategic vision for Fitness Australia. 2020 has been a challenging year for many businesses, fitness professionals and the broader community. Fitness Australia and the whole fitness industry has worked hard to get back on track to provide an essential service to the community."

Fitness Australia set to meet with Victorian Government officials
Following last week’s announcement by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews that he sought to engage with the industry and have a further discussion on the restrictions and COVID-Safe requirements for gyms ahead of re-opening across Melbourne, Fitness Australia has received confirmation of a meeting with officials from of meeting with Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) next Wednesday.

Advising that he is optimistic about mutually engaging with the Victorian Government to discuss COVIDSafe plans for the industry to ensure it can reopen in viable and safe manner for businesses and members, Fitness Australia Chief Executive, Barrie Elvish stated “following months of regular communication to the Victorian Government, Fitness Australia was pleased to hear the Premier announce it important to have an open door and to listen and to find that really difficult balance point between what is viable and what is safe.

“We know successful outcomes come from engaging with the industry and this was echoed by the Premier in his comments last week. Fitness Australia has worked collaboratively with other state and territory governments to put robust COVIDSafe plans in place that have worked - not only in keeping people safe but allowing businesses in our industry to get back track in a viable capacity. The opportunity to now do this with the Victorian Government has given our Victorian members a much-needed boost.”

Elvish said high on the agenda will be the current limits on 20 people per facility, or in some instances a maximum of 10 when there is only one area, as well as the need for marshals in regional areas given these are unrealistic and unviable, ultimately setting businesses up to go under.

Images: Edwina Griffin (at left) and Greg Oliver (top), and Barries Elvish (below).