Swimming Australia names interim President

Current Board Member Susan Smith has been appointed as the interim President of Swimming Australia, effective 18th September. Smith has been a Board Member of Swimming Australia since October 2022, making her well placed to lead Swimming Australia through the current governance and constitutional reforms.

Smith’s appointment follows on from the resignation of current President Michelle Gallen ahead of her new role as the Chief Executive of the National Sports Tribunal.

Smith was the President of Swimming Victoria from 2019 to 2022, was the Deputy Chair of VicSport and a Director and Company Secretary for the Bendigo Highett Community Bank.

Swimming Australia congratulates Smith on her appointment.

Michelle Gallen shared “On behalf of the Board, we are pleased to see Susan appointed to the role of interim President of Swimming Australia.  

“Having held leadership roles at both state and national level, Susan has a thorough understanding of the swimming landscape, and importantly can see the opportunities in front of us to help strengthen swimming from the grassroots through to the elite level.

“Susan has extensive management and governance experience in elite sport and business, which makes her the right person to lead Swimming in Australia through these necessary governance and constitutional reforms at next month’s Special General Meeting.”

Smith added “I am honoured to be appointed as the interim President of Swimming Australia and look forward to commencing in the role.

“My priority is building on the foundations that Michelle and the entire team have been working tirelessly on to update our constitution and governance structure, which is a requirement of being a member of World Aquatics (AQUA) and aligns us with the broader International Olympic Committee structure.

“These changes are necessary and will modernise the way the sport is governed. Importantly, they will provide a broader voting base as we work together to secure the future success of swimming in Australia.”