Board of Directors

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.

Scott Ashley

Principal with Bairnsdale accountancy firm, Findex Bairnsdale, 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.walking.

Frank Strini

Frank and his wife Mary have four boys, all living in Bairnsdale. An energetic businessman and sporting competitor, Frank believes the trade off for living a clean country life should not be an obstacle for junior sporting achievement and personal development at a State or National level. After competing at State levels in swimming and triathlons, Frank is acutely aware of the financial and physical strains that activity puts on families when they sometimes choose to let their children compete at a State or National level in sport.

John Morton

Nicole Chila

Frank McShane

Current Chairman. 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.

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.

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.

Sharon McAuliffe

Sharon is a passionate East Gippslander, living an active and healthy lifestyle together with her husband and two teenage children. Her enjoyment for the great outdoors compliments her passion for health and well-being. Sharon involves herself in the local community by actively contributing to events and has been involved in several committees over the years. Currently, Sharon is also a Committee Member of the Riviera Triathlon Club. Endurance events, including triathlon has been her chosen sport for the past 10 years, competing in numerous long-distance Ironman events including the 2017 World Championships in Hawaii. Sharon is passionate about providing opportunities for young people to pursue their goals and dreams in their chosen sport and is excited to see what the future brings for our region’s young superstars.

Howard Williams

Howard has a teaching and educational administration background, a history of fostering children’s fitness and sporting achievement. He is associated with volleyball in many roles. He is trained in governance and strategic planning. Howard is secretary of the Gippsland Sports Academy Board & convenes the Board’s Programs subcommittee. Howard is also chair of the Gippsland East Local Learning & Employment Network.