Board and Executive
The HikeWest Board comprises five elected Directors and up to two appointed Directors. The five elected Directors must be members of the Association (either a member of a Member Club or an Individual Member), and are elected for an initial term of three years. Appointed Directors are not required to be members and are eligible for re-appointment annually after an initial twelve month term. An Executive Officer (‘EO’) voluntary position was created by the Board in early 2018. The EO is appointed by the Board and takes overall direction from the Board. The EO is empowered by delegation from the Board to operationally manage HikeWest and to drive and implement the current Strategic Plan set by the Board. The current President is also Acting EO.
| President (& Acting Exec. Officer) | Dave Osborne Read More  Dave had a career in oil and gas exploration and production, initially as a field geologist, then for many years he headed up the Australia office of a successful explorer and producing company, as General Manager and President. He has had a long behind-the-scenes involvement with HikeWest (previously the 'Federation...') since 2005 and has devoted much of his energies to sharing his love of bushwalking, partly through his website, WalkGPS, founded in 2003, and also through his membership since 2001 of Perth Bushwalkers Club. He has been a walks leader for many years and was President of that club 2013-2016, and is a life member. He was first elected to the HikeWest Board in 2017. |
| Vice-President | Neil Gibson Read More  Neil is a Director and Production Manager of a digital agency and has 20+ years’ experience in web development, online marketing, graphic design and publishing. He is a founding member of a local business support initiative and has an extensive network of business professionals. Neil is a keen bushwalker, walk leader and a walk organiser of the Redtails Walking Group. Through his membership of the HikeWest Board, Neil is excited to be able to contribute to the furthering of hiking in WA while also networking with like-minded individuals. He was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2019. |
| Treasurer | Andrew de Bruyn Read More  Andrew is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ extensive experience across auditing, financial management, accounting, tax, management consulting and systems. South African-born, he has worked in many industries including diamond mining, manufacturing and fashion clothing. He is currently a part-time Chief Financial Officer to medium-sized Perth businesses. Andrew also volunteers part-time for the Red Cross. He and his wife enjoyed hiking in South Africa and are looking forward to hiking again in WA. He was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2019. |
| Secretary | Alan Hill Read More  Alan has over 15 years’ experience in Western Australian member-based associations in the agriculture, health and vocational education and training sectors, where his responsibilities have included organisational governance, policy development, project management, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and the implementation of continuous improvement programs. Alan is a very keen, novice hiker, with a strong interest in assisting HikeWest to achieve practical and accessible outcomes. He was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2019. |
| Director (elected) | Mark Pybus Read More  Mark is a Test Analyst and has been working in the finance industry for over 13 years. He is a keen hiker, mountain biker and trail runner, always exploring the trails and nature spaces of Western Australia. As the founder of The Life of Py, Mark has been an advocate for trail use through his website and photography. He was elected to the HikeWest Board in 2020. |
| Director (appointed) | Stacey Dowling Read More  Stacey is a Chartered Chemical Engineer and also holds a Commerce degree majoring in Finance. She currently leads a team of engineers in one of Perth's major resources companies. In the past she has served on an Engineering Society committee, with a year as Treasurer, and a subsequent year as Vice President, with responsibilities in event planning, budget management and stakeholder engagement. Stacey is a keen outdoors person, participating in a range of club activities, and has completed several multi-day hikes in WA and overseas. As a mother, she also enjoys camping with her family. She is committed to supporting the wider goals of enjoyment of the outdoors, promotion of the health & well-being benefits as well as environmental protection for future generations to enjoy. She was appointed to the HikeWest Board in 2019. |
| Director (appointed) | Magda Spychalska Read More  Magda has a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) in Marketing, Management, Employment Relations, Entrepreneurship. She has a vast range of professional experience and knowledge in marketing, events, digital and communications, with established digital marketing companies. This has included responsibilities such as all online marketing activity such as website management, social media and email campaign marketing, including for a past Perth International Arts Festival, and for a growing organisation including branding, marketing strategy, content development, promotional activities and advertising. Magda is a lover of hiking, both locally and overseas, and is keen to be involved in helping HikeWest develop and grow. She was appointed to the HikeWest Board in 2019. |
Rules of Association
The current constitution or Rules of Association for HikeWest Incorporated (known as ‘HikeWest’) were lodged in the office of the Commissioner for Consumer Protection on 13 Nov. 2019.View: “Rules of Association for HikeWest Incorporated“.
Strategic Plan
The Plan explains how HikeWest is embracing our vision of ‘Better Bushwalking for Western Australia’. An annual Operational Plan also provides the Board and EO with a checklist of the strategies and key tasks outlined in the Strategic Plan to help identify the near-term priorities and monitor progress toward the overall goals.View: Strategic Plan 2018-2021
Policies
HikeWest aims to always conduct itself through its policies and in practice in a manner that is true to its core values and behaviours as a peak body as espoused in our Strategic Plan:
HikeWest Code of Conduct
| Core Values | Core Behaviours |
|---|---|
| Open, ethical, professional & accountable in all that we do | Operate proactively as a leader in the bushwalking community |
| Inclusive and respectful of diversity | Respond to stakeholder needs & aspirations |
| Respect & love of our natural bushwalking environment | Advocate for the community |
| Commitment & pride in HikeWest | Maintain best practice governance & management |
| Active in embracing change | Build an effective sphere of influence |
Policies and positions reflected in HikeWest’s advocating and submissions on issues affecting bushwalking and the environment, and in our Risk Management Guidelines, Minimum Impact Bushwalking Code etc are consistent with the principles above and also with the objectives outlined in the constitution (also see ‘What we do’).
AGM Minutes & Reporting
Funding
HikeWest is funded independently of Government and agencies through income from the generous support of our several official Sponsors and from other sources, including advertising income and member club levies.
We are also grateful for the support of Lotterywest who provided a grant in 2018 to assist HikeWest with the costs of developing this current website.
Media & Disclaimer
HikeWest communicates regularly with our members and the broader community through this website, via a regular eNews publication and Facebook. Board policies provide guidelines on HikeWest’s use of these media.