Vale Andrea Mitchell, ASC Board member
Rowing Australia was deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of Australian Sports Commission (Sport Australia) board member Andrea Mitchell. The thoughts of the rowing community are with our ASC and Tennis Australia colleagues and Ms Mitchell’s family, friends and colleagues.
ASC Chair John Wylie said: “The ASC has been very fortunate to have had Andrea as a member of our Board since 2017, and to see first-hand her devotion to community sport in particular.
“We are devastated to have lost her. Her succinct and wise contributions at ASC meetings were always on the mark and will be sorely missed.
“Sport relies so much on the remarkable passion, commitment and insight of people like Andrea.”
Andrea showed a passion for sport and physical activity throughout her life and helped enrich it at all levels with her service. She made a long and outstanding contribution to sport, in particular to her great love tennis. An Australian Sports Medal in 2000 recognised her service to, and leadership of the sport as President of Tennis West from 1996-2008, as a Director of Tennis Australia from 1997-2008 and as a Director of the Hopman Cup.
Andrea was the first female President of Tennis West and the first woman to attend a Tennis Australia Board Meeting in a representative capacity. The ASC has long advocated for the increasing recognition of women in all roles across sport, but it is leaders like Andrea who have truly set this foundation.
Her service to sport reflected her lifelong commitment to the community, for which she was widely admired. She represented the electorate of Kingsley as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia from 2008-2017, and was Minister for Child Protection and Mental Health. She also served on the Boards of significant community organisations such as the WA Telethon.
Andrea had a terrific sense of humour and enlivened many meetings and long plane trips with colleagues to and from Perth.
As her friends and colleagues, the ASC Board sends our deepest condolences to Andrea’s family and loved ones, including her peers throughout Australian sport. Her passing at 64 is way too early and a great loss for Australian sport.
John Wylie
ASC Chair
On behalf of Board and management of the ASC
With thanks for Sport Australia
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