AOC: Australian Olympic Committee Vice President, Helen Brownlee, has capped off a fascinating day one at the Asia Pacific World Sport and Women (APWSW) Conference with an impassioned keynote address.
As dusk fell on the Sydney Cricket Ground, Brownlee took guests on a voyage through the course of her life as a canoe slalom athlete, international judge, National Federation President, lobbyist, International Federation Member and eventual NSW Olympic Council President, AOC Executive Board Member and AOC Vice President.
Working in Olympic circles since 1972, Brownlee has long had questions to answer- they started when she was an official at the Munich Games:
“As one of two women officials, I was questioned as to why Australia had sent a woman? Had we run out of men? Would the task be too difficult for me?” she told an unsurprised audience.
With occasional sprays of being “bossy” or “angry” in the early days of her career, Brownlee is now blessed with calmer waters, and had her own questions to throw at the 80 delegates enjoying dinner.
“Every step along my journey in the sporting world was instigated by... Opportunity? Politics? Good Judgement? Effective lobbying? My stunning wardrobe?” she said provocatively.
“No, none of those,” was her retort.
“Every step along my journey in the sporting world was actually instigated by – MEN… And that is possibly not what you expected me to say.”
After a day of vivid discussion on women in sport thanks to the likes of The Hon Stuart Ayers MP (NSW Minister for Sport), Dr Johanna Adriaanse (Co-Chair, International Working Group on Women and Sport), seven-time World Surfing Champion, Layne Beachley and show-stealing 12-year-old, Claire Falls, Brownlee had captured her room hook, line and sinker.
“Who I am today is a reflection of the mentors, sponsors, champions – men in leadership positions who went out of their way to identify and nurture in me qualities of which I was unaware. Men who I respected whose way of working I attempted to follow, who shared similar values and who gave me the confidence to step up and face new challenges,” Brownlee said.
“I truly believe we should ‘get on with it’ and assume equality. It is up to all of us – male and female – to look at ways of celebrating diversity by working together and actively practicing and promoting dignity, respect and inclusiveness. To look for men and women with the qualities, the skill set required and the values of our organisations, and then ‘champion’ them to take up positions of responsibility.”
Brownlee has long been a sturdy anchor for women’s representation within the Australian Olympic Committee- which now has a female Secretary General, Fiona de Jong, as well as 41% female board representation. Brownlee has also paved the way for Oceania Olympic Committees.
With decades of pioneering behind her, Brownlee has high hopes for the future of women in sport.
“Clearly, the world of sport is in many respects a male bastion, so let’s engage and collaborate together," she told the largely female audience.
“It’s up to each of us- are we willing? Are we game? Are we up for a challenge? Are we spirited enough to assume equality? Because it’s really up to you- so good luck.”
Taya Conomos
@AUSOlympicTeam
olympics.com.au
