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About

meet the board

Libby Mears, Chair & Director

Highly experienced Board Chair, Non-Executive Director and CEO with demonstrated governance, risk and strategic leadership credentials. Significant experience in start-up roles and organisations at the cutting edge of transformative change, creating positive social and environmental impact.
Libby is a visible leader, committed to building values driven, strengths-based cultures and enabling engaged and aligned teams.
Experienced Non-Executive Director. Current appointments – Chair, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, Director, Mercy Community Services Australia, Director, Flourish at Work, Chair, Western Leisure Services, Non-Executive Director, Barwon Health.

Carl Partridge, Director

Carl has been a Non-Executive Director at Western Leisure Services since 2021, bringing over three decades of leadership experience in the sports, leisure, and entertainment sectors. As the former CEO of AUSTSWIM, Australia’s national organization for training swimming and water safety teachers, Carl played a pivotal role in driving growth and innovation within the industry.
Currently, Carl runs an international leisure consultancy that focuses on delivering business and community outcomes by understanding and influencing customer behaviour. His expertise spans business growth, service excellence, and achieving impactful results for organisations across various sports, including premiership soccer, international cricket, basketball, ice hockey, and gymnastics.
A proud father of three daughters who share his passion for swimming, Carl is based in Melbourne, Victoria.

Alexandra Ash, Director

Alexandra Ash is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and also hold an MBA and Master of Policy and Politics. She is a multi-disciplinary and c-suite leader specialising in strategic vision, organisational transformation and culture change. Wearing many hats, she has quickly made a significant impact in sporting, leisure and for purpose sectors across Australia . Alex holds Non-Executive roles at Western Leisure Services, ActiveXchange and as President of Royal Lifesaving Society Australia, along with being CEO of Y Australia, and former CEO of Gymnastics Australia.
Alex is renowned for her infectious energy, which inspires and motivates teams to perform at the highest level. She is driven by the idea that anyone can make an impact in the world and sees the Y as an organisation which makes a significant difference in the lives of many.
Alex firmly believes in instilling a culture of work-life balance, and role models this commitment, often bringing her two children Remi 4 , and Teddy 7 into the office with her and working flexible hours.

Andrew Dix, Director & Chair, Finance, Audit & Risk Management Committee

Andrew is an experienced non-executive director with deep experience in finance, internal and external audit, risk, and governance. His focus is on practical solutions to assist businesses to achieve their strategic objectives. Previously a member of the Senior Management Team at Telstra, his other current Board appointment is at the Victorian Public Transport Ombudsman. He has previously served on the Boards of NBN Ltd, and Swinburne University.
In the Local Government sector Andrew Chairs Audit and Risk Committees at the Cities of Monash and Manningham, and is a Committee Member at the City of Melbourne.

Peter Hertan, Director & Member, Finance , Audit & Risk Management Committee

Peter has worked as a senior executive in the Victorian Government, including as Head of Sport and Recreation Victoria.
Peter currently works as a consultant supporting Government, sports and community organisations, on strategic planning, governance and major construction projects.  He is presently a member of a number of Boards in the community and sport sectors.