Margot Foster AM BA LLB

Margot is a highly experienced lawyer with over 30 years’ in private practice dealing with a variety of practice areas. Her clients have included numerous small to medium sized businesses with attendant legal and commercial requirements with a diversity of corporate enterprise. She has also acted for a number high nett wealth parties, with complex financial arrangements, in both family law and wills and estates matters.

Margot’s legal background complements her skills and experience and facility for practical, effective and good governance which is a constant focus of her board roles. She is an excellent strategic thinker and a clear sighted and objective decision maker. She has a capacity to assess and acknowledge commercial risk and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders in fast moving environments. She has significant experience in dealing with government at both state and federal levels arising from her various appointments.

In the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours Margot became a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant contribution to sports administration and governance; as an elite athlete and for her support for women’s sport. In 2017 she was recognized on the University of ’s Law School Honour Board launched in the 160th anniversary year of the Law School.

Chair and Board achievements: a leader; experienced, consultative, thoughtful

Margot has a distinguished background in sport as both an elite athlete and a board level administrator and executive, for both sport and non sport organisations. She won a bronze medal at the 1984 and a gold medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in rowing.

Margot has completed the AICD directors’ course and the AICD chairmen’s sessions.

Margot is the Chairman of Vicsport the leading non government organization representing state sporting associations in policy, advocacy and liaising with government and statutory agencies for the delivery of sporting services and opportunities in the state. During her term as chairman she has overseen significant strategy change and the assertion of Vicsport as a partner with the Dept of Sport & Recreation and the other principal funder VicHealth, rather than merely a deliverer of their programmes.

She was on the board of VicHealth for 5 years until June 2016 which has also undergone major change in its governance and management with a clear focus on specific agenda actions enabling the best use of its finite finances via tightly regulated and targeted programmes to particular population groups. She currently is a member of the Finace, Audit and Risk Committee.

Margot is President of the Melbourne University Sports Association which represents sports clubs at the university. It works in close consultation with the university’s department Melbourne University Sport to ensure best practice management and sporting outcomes for the clubs and their members.

She has served on many boards including that of the Australian Sports Commission for 8 years guiding it through the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and on to the 2004 Athens Games. In addition she held positions on the Emoluments Committee and Audit and Risk Committee as well as on the related but separate Australian Sports Foundation. Simultaneously she was appointed to the board of the New Zealand Sports Commission (2002-04) and contributed significantly to the reorientation of sport policy and funding in NZ which is now paying enormous dividends in results for that country.

Board roles

A selection of roles held, present and past, government and private follows. A complete list can be provided if required

Government • VicHealth (Victorian government) June 2011 to June 2016 • VicHealth Finance & Risk Committee June 2015 • Australian Sports Commission (Cth government) 1998-2007 including audit, emoluments cttees • Sport New Zealand -NZ Sports Commission (NZ government) 2001-2004 • National Parks Advisory Council (Victorian government) 1996-2001

[email protected] | 0414 230213 • Sports Minister Advisory Council (Victorian government) 1996-1999 • Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trusts (Victorian government) 1994-1999 • Melbourne 1996 Olympic Bid Committee (Victorian government) 1988-1990 • Melbourne Major Events Committee (Victorian government) 1990-1993 • Victorian Women's Consultative Council (Victorian government) 1986-1988

Private • Chairman Vicsport 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017; board member since 2008 • Director 2013 - 2014 (formerly RV board member 1993-97) • President Melbourne University Sports Association 2014 and continuing • Chairman Trinity College University of Melbourne Alumni Association 2012-2015 (member since 2007) • Australia board 2001-2011 • Australian University Sport 2008 - 2014 including audit and risk management committee & fundraising committee • Women of the MCC 2007 and continuing • Football Federation Victoria Discipline Tribunal & Appeals Board 2007 and continuing • Trinity College University of Melbourne Board of Management 1995-2003 • International Rowing Federation (FISA) Masters Committee 1995-1997 • Presbyterian Ladies' College Burwood School Council 1991-1994 • Olympians Club of Victoria 1985; chairman 1996-2000; and continuing • Founding member; President Womensport Australia 1990 to 2006 • Founder & President Womensport & Recreation Victoria 1996 to 2004 • 1990 World Rowing Championship Pty Ltd 1989-1991 director • 2005 World Gymnastics Championships Pty Ltd 2003-2006 director • Australian Olympic Committee Athletes’ & Education committees 1985-1994 • Secretary General 1989-1991

Education

Bachelor of Laws University of Melbourne Bachelor of Arts (first class honours in Economic History) University of Melbourne AICD Director course 2004 AICD Chairmen's course 2014 MBA (one year only) Monash University HSC Distinction in English

Associations & Memberships

Admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria, Federal Court of Australia & High Court of Australia Law Institute of Victoria Law Council of Australia Australian & New Zealand Sports Law Association Williamson Community Leadership Programme Fellow (Leadership Victoria) Patron - Melbourne Girls' School Rowing Programme

Melbourne Cricket Club Royal Melbourne Golf Club Melbourne University Boat Club

Accolades • Australian & New Zealand Sports Law Association Contribution to Sport Award 2011 • Featured in University of Melbourne sesquicentenary publication 150 Years 150 Lives • Member Victorian Rowing Hall of Fame • Listed in the Who's Who of Australian Women • Order of Merit for service to Gymnastics Australia 2008 • University of Melbourne trophy for Women's Intercollegiate Rowing named for her • Founder and host of Women of Sport quarterly lunches

[email protected] | 0414 230213