The day’s program included insightful presentations from both the Gliding Australia executive team and board members, along with industry professionals. Topics such as safety trends, operations, airworthiness, and club development were thoroughly discussed by experts like Drew McKinnie, Dave Boulter, Aaron Stroop, and Anthony Smith. Amanda Vanderwal and Lisa Turner highlighted club integrity, while Craig Vinall provided updates on the competition safety. Representatives from CASA also contributed and engaged with a presentation focused on sharing the skies.
The Rockettes—advocates for increasing female involvement in gliding—shared strategies for attracting and retaining women in the sport, highlighting inclusivity as a key goal.
The summit offered not only a platform for sharing knowledge but also for networking, with this event marking the beginning of a national series designed to fortify the gliding community. The Skyward Summit represented a progressive step in uniting clubs and advancing gliding in Australia. The input and active participation of all the clubs present were greatly valued. Organizers are eager to expand on this success in forthcoming events across Australia, promising to deliver further information on future Summits.