Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Alan Cross - Chairman, Managing Director of Bairnsdale based engineering consultancy Crossco Consulting Pty Ltd. Alan was born in Bairnsdale and educated in regional and metropolitan Victoria. He returned to his home town in 1981 to raise his family with wife Anne.
Alan lead the successful campaign for an indoor aquatic centre for Bairnsdale and was a foundation member of the East Gippsland YMCA representing the Association at State Board level. A one-time tennis and golf enthusiast, Alan continues to chase, but never catch his youth by participating in triathlon and cycling as well as sea and flat water kayaking.
Through his membership and support of the Riviera Triathlon Club and East Gippsland Water Dragons Swimming Club, Alan is always keen to create opportunities for East Gippsland’s sporting youngsters to participate and enjoy success in their chosen pursuits.

Harvey Bates MBE, Patron & Founder - Former East Gippsland Shire Councillor and Mayor, Harvey was born and bred in Lakes Entrance. He spent 39 years working for the Federal Government in customs service, including 20 years as a senior officer. In 1968 at only 34 years of age, he received an MBE for outstanding public service in the field of enforcement. Harvey has had a long time interest in sport and youth development, is responsible for the creation of the East Gippsland Sports Foundation and is its Chairman.

Tony Claridge, Secretary - Came to Australia from England in 1963 and moved to East Gippsland in 1980. Tony has held several positions including assistant director of VEDA, regional tourism manager of Gippsland and general manager of Bulls Cruisers. He retired in 2001 and has since taken an active role in service and sports organisations. Tony is the Foundation’s secretary and was one of its initiators. He continues to hold executive positions on the Italian Social and Sporting Club, Bairnsdale City Oval, St. Mary’s Nagle Cricket Club and the Bairnsdale Softball Association. Tony enjoys all sports and takes part in competition table tennis, plays softball and enjoys walking.

Scott Ashley - Principal with Bairnsdale accountancy firm, WHK Scott undertakes the role of treasurer with the East Gippsland Sports Foundation. The Foundation is important to Scott who was a member of state-level cricket and basketball teams and understands the logistical and financial difficulties faced by young sportspeople in our area.

Peter Bommer - Former mayor of the East Gippsland Shire, at present living in Paynesville and working in property development. Peter is a supporter of all sport in East Gippsland; he believes it helps to maintain a good healthy social structure for our youth. Peter has had a long time involvement with sporting and service clubs and believes the East Gippsland Sports Foundation is another step in helping to set goals for the youth of East Gippsland.

Ian Campbell - a long time resident of East Gippsland and a lawyer by occupation. Ian’s particular sporting interests are Australian Rules football and tennis but he is keenly interested in all sports and creating the opportunity for people to participate.

Frank McShane - Executive Manager Operations East Gippsland Water. Frank McShane moved from Scotland with his family in 2005. He has been involved in competitive sport, coaching, and committees for over 30 years. Frank's sports included in the early years, boxing and tae kwon do, running his own clubs, then became involved in athletics, swimming and triathlon, where he has coached juniors to national level in the UK and Australia. Some of the juniors Frank coached and encouraged went on to becoming full time professional athletes. He now enjoys being less competitive, with a little swimming, mountain biking, running and kayaking. Frank is a member of Riviera triathlon club, Riviera cycling club and Traralgon harriers.

Mike Quist - Communications Coordinator with the East Gippsland Shire, Mike has spent all of his professional life working in journalism and public relations. He was directly involved in the long running and pioneering lawn bowls program "Jack High" as well as other events including the Mazda SuperChallenge tennis tournaments and cycling and athletic projects. Mike moved to East Gippsland in 2004.

John Stephenson, OAM - Managing Director of Gippsland Secured Investment (GSI) John was the company’s first manager and was appointed a director in 1975 and has many years' experience in business and finance. John is a former Mayor of the Town of Bairnsdale, a past-President of the Victorian Eastern Development Association, is currently President of the East Gippsland Institute of TAFE and past-President of the Victorian TAFE Association. He enjoys snow skiing, windsurfing and sailing. John was granted the Order of Australia for Services to Vocational Education in 2007.

Bob Yeates - Managing Director of East Gippsland Newspapers. Bob is a fourth generation newspaperman running a local family business who is proud and passionate about East Gippsland. Born in Southern Tasmania, he moved to Bairnsdale at an early age, spent eight years in Melbourne and one year travelling, having fun and playing tennis, before moving back to Bairnsdale with his wife, Lorraine. Bob's sporting ability enabled him to enjoy a reasonable game of tennis, coaching for 15 years, as well as being involved in local football, golf, tennis, lake kayaking, table tennis, go-karting and cycling on the rail trail.

Mike Anketell – Retired. From 1960 to 1975 he lived in Bairnsdale working in the family owned business G P Motors and during the last five years was Managing Director. From 1975 with his wife Louise, he owned and operated Water's Edge Caravan Park in Lakes. From 1985 until 2007, also with Louise, owned and operated a furniture/bedding/electrical store in Lakes Entrance. Mike has been a continuous Rotarian for 39 years and was President in 1984-85. While retailing furniture he was a director of Homemakers buying group for 12 years. He is currently vice-chairman of Gippsland Lakes Community Health. In retirement he finds time for golf, fishing, boating, and gardening and has just started playing lawn bowls.

Peter Dullard: Managing Director, Peter Dullard Motor Group P/L.
Peter moved his family from Melbourne to East Gippsland in 1984 after spending 16 years working for Ford Motor Company throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific Region.Having been involved in junior sport over a number of years with his four children he understands the additional financial burden borne by junior athletes and their parents in pursuing suitable coaching, training and competition. Peter has been a member of a number of Boards in East Gippsland and enjoys boating, bush walking, cycling and the occasional game of golf.

David Lewien: David moved to live in Bairnsdale in the mid 1980s after a long and distinguished career in the Australian Army. During that time he was involved in a number of sports including rugby, hockey and squash. Since living in Bairnsdale he has had a major role in the East Gippsland Umpires association both as its President and Secretary and over 17 years as a goal umpire. A former President of the Bairnsdale RSL he now plays an important role in youth development with the Returned Services League of Australia. David holds a strong belief that within any sporting organisation it is vitally necessary for the development of the skills, leadership and the role in society of the youth of that society