Y Australia welcomes Jacqui Weatherill as new President

The National Board of the Y (formerly the YMCA) has appointed Jacqui Weatherill as its new President. Weatherill first joined the National Board in July this year.

Currently Chief Executive of the City of Greater Dandenong, Weatherill is also an experienced Chair and Non-Executive Director in the not for profit and public sectors, with some 30 years’ experience working in challenging senior management roles as a Chief Executive and senior executive across local and state government.

These experiences demonstrate her nous as a strategic leader with high level commercial and corporate skills and the ability to work in complex stakeholder environments.

Outgoing President, Ben Hubbard noted “Jacqui is an accomplished leader who brings the right skills and experience to lead the Y nationally.

“Jacqui draws from her leadership and governance credentials across a range of settings including as former President of Gymnastics Australia, Council Member of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Global President of the FIG Gender Equality Commission and Non-Executive director of Grief Australia.

“Jacqui’s passion to empower young people, skill set and experience are the perfect mix to lead the next phase for Y Australia, including growth of Y Careers and the Y Australia group to deliver on nation-wide and global strategy, advocacy and our membership support functions. This ensures the Y will be well positioned to enable Members and achieve meaningful outcomes for Australia’s children and young people.

“Jacqui’s extensive leadership and board experience working with organisations focused on quality delivery of programs and services, including in diverse communities, is also a great fit for the Y.”

Weatherill commented “it's a great honour to be stepping into the role of President of Y Australia.

“Supporting the community to pursue fairer and more inclusive outcomes is core to my life and my career and will be central to how I lead the organisation. I look forward to working with the National Board, Y Members and the communities we serve to make a real difference with and for young people”.

The Board acknowledged Hubbard for his exceptional leadership and contribution over his seven years as a Director, and the last three years as President, noting "Hubbard has made an enormous contribution to the Y over more than thirty years – as a Youth Parliament program participant in his teens, a volunteer, staff member, Director, and most recently as President of Y Australia.

"The Y Australia Board thanks (him) for his important leadership at a pivotal time for Y Australia and welcomes Weatherill to her new role."

Hubbard stated "it has been such a privilege to serve in this role. The Y has been an important part of my life and I am delighted to be able to hand on the leadership baton to Jacqui."

Weatherill’s formal appointment as President commenced after the AGM on 25th November.

Image: Jacqui Weatherill. Credit: The National Board of the Y.