Louise has been a long serving President of the ACT Olympians Club, whilst David has been a member of both the Olympians Club of Victoria and Victorian Olympic Council committees over the past decade.

The Australian Olympians Association is the alumni for Australia’s 4,315 Summer and Winter Olympic representatives. Each Olympian becomes an automatic member of the Australian Olympians Association.

A recent streamlining of Olympians Clubs and State Olympic Councils to allow for a more co-ordinated national contribution to the Australian Olympic Committee activities is now complete with each Olympians Club moving under the banner of the Australian Olympians Association.

The move allows Australia’s Olympic alumni to reflect their purpose nationally and to better align with the World Olympians Association.

Aside from retaining and developing alumni connections, providing mentoring and running state-based events, a key role of the Australian Olympians Accusation will be to support the AOC’s Olympics Unleashed and Change Maker programs across Australia.

The appointment of Louise and David as co-chairs follows the appointment of State delegates to the Australian Olympians Association and the formation of a stronger working relation with the AOC Athletes’ Commission, with the first joint meeting held in May.

Australian Olympians Association

Co-Chairs
Louise Dobson - Hockey '96 & '04 (ACT) and David Culbert - Athletics '88 & '92 (VIC)

State Delegates
Australian Capital Territory - Louise Dobson - Hockey '96 & '04
Queensland - Brooke Hanson - Swimming ’04 and Tom King - Sailing '96 & ‘00
South Australia - Selena Bushell - Softball ‘00
Victoria - Linley Frame - Swimming '92 and David Culbert - Athletics '88 & '92
Western Australia - Allana Slater - Gymnastics '00 & ‘04
NSW & Tasmania - TBC

World Olympians Association Executive Members
Natalie Cook - Beach Volleyball ‘96, ‘00, ‘04, ’08 & ‘12
James Tomkins - Rowing ‘88, ‘92, ‘96, ‘00, ’04 & ‘08

AOC President Ian Chesterman said the Australian Olympic alumni are crucial to retaining the special bond Olympians have.

“The Australian Olympians' Oath says, ‘since Edwin and forever, once an Olympian always an Olympian’ and our athletes present and past are central to our activities.  Our Olympians across Australia inspire the next generation of athletes and the AOC congratulates Louise and David on their appointment and looks forward to working with a refreshed Australian Olympians Association to bring those connections to life,” Chesterman said.

Louise said the 10-year runway to Brisbane provides the same opportunities that the Sydney Olympics did in bringing Australian Olympians together.

“As an athlete in the lead up to the Sydney Games I experienced firsthand the benefit of connecting with Australian Olympians, not just from hockey, but all sports. And growing up in Shepparton in regional Victoria and aspiring to be an Olympian I know how powerful those community connections can be for aspiring Olympians,” Louise said.

David paid tribute to retiring Australian Olympians Association President Leon Wiegard for his longstanding role as a driving force behind the Australian Olympic alumni.

“For more than 25 years Leon has been the glue that has kept the Australian Olympians Club together, particularly in Victoria where the annual Olympians Club dinner has been an opportunity for Olympians to come together, celebrate milestone anniversaries and tell tall tales of past glories. Lou and I have some big shoes to fill.”

The Australian Olympians Association is supported by AOC Head of Olympian Services Dan Kowalski and the AOC administration.

More on the Australian Olympians Association can be found here.