It is a sad but inevitable day that I need to announce the resignation of two of the most loyal and long serving board members of the Wine Communicators of Australia, Angie Bradbury and Lisa Webber. Both Angie and Lisa leave the board in a better position as a result of their tenure. This will allow the next ‘leaders’ of the WCA come through and hopefully tackle the role with fresh enthusiasm. Luckily for us, Angie and Lisa will not be completely lost to the WCA, staying on as members (Angie is a Life Member of the WCA) and I am sure that we will see them at events and voicing opinions from time to time!
Angus Barnes
WCA Chair
Angie Bradbury is a founding board member of the WCA, having served as Secretary and Vice President of the NSW Wine Press Club (before the amalgamation into the WCA). She then served as Chair and then Deputy Chair of the WCA in our early years. Angie says her major highlights were incorporating as a national association, working with Rob Hirst to amalgamate with SA wine press club, getting the Vic chapter back up and running after more than a decade since Vic Wine press club folded, and overseeing and driving the development of the webinars and professional development which saw us become more than an events organisation. Her nearly 12 year’s service has been outstanding and her drive and strength were instrumental in making the WCA such an important and relevant organisation. I will certainly miss her counsel in meetings and also the occasional piece of colorful language when things go off track.
Lisa Webber has spent six years involved in the WCA (co-inciding with the length of time that she has been in Australia from her native UK). Lisa served two years as deputy chair of the NSW before taking over as Chair for a further three years. Lisa has also served as a director on the National Board since 2015. During her time in the NSW Chapter, Lisa was responsible for establishing and leading a strong NSW Committee and delievered a number of successful local and national events, such as the vital Sydney Royal Wine Show Retrospective Gala Dinner held in February 2016 to help fill a gap when the dates of the Sydney Royal Wine Show changed. Lisa has always been a passionate wine educator and active board member and has never shied away from making the tough calls. She was a popular WCA member, particularly respected and liked in the NSW Chapter. Personally, I have had the pleasure of both working with her professionally in both the UK and Australia, as well as our roles serving the WCA.