Dear FV Members,
The Fencing Victoria AGM will be held at 7pm on the 30th of April 2025, in the theatre at the State Fencing Centre in North Melbourne.
for those who wish to join by zoom – please use the below link to register
There are 4 vacancies on the board, the nominees for these positions are below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UaPQ1IujRUuJovfAsFmqvg
Proxies must be received by email or mail to the Director of Communications, at communications@fencingvictoria.org or PO Box 958, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051, by no later than 7pm on the 29th of April.
Thank you,
Fencing Victoria Board
AGM Minutes
Proxies
Proxies can be accepted until 7pm on the 23rd of April, please send them to communications@fencingvictoria.org.
Nominations
There are 4 vacancies on the board, the nominees for these positions are below.
Re-Nominations
Jeremy Drossinis
I am the Current Director of Technology and have been on the board for the last four years. I assisted with the Kayo streaming project, as well as helping secure better interconnectivity for FV at the state fencing centre. I regularly volunteer long days at national competitions to set up all the technology interfaces needed at these competitions, as well as assisting with other jobs that need to be done.
I work in IT, which is extremely important in this digital age and I want to continue to work with the board on improving their digital connections both at a local and national level. I currently fence epee at VRI fencing club and compete at both a state and national level.
Jasper MacCuspie
I have been on the Fencing Victoria Board for the past two years, initially as the Vice President, and then as the President for the last year. In my time as President, Fencing Victoria has more than halved its yearly budget deficit, introduced three new state squads, and hosted many excellent State and National competitions.
It has been exciting to see the progress that Fencing Victoria has been able to make in the past 2 years, and I am keen to remain on the Board to ensure that the positive momentum continues.
I have been involved in Fencing for over 15 years, initially as a fencer, then a referee, a coach, and the Head DT of the organisation since 2017. I spent 6 years as the DT for every Victorian competition, there every Sunday, so I have an intimate familiarity with the day-to-day operations of the organisation.
Outside of Fencing, I am a Criminal Defence Lawyer, representing underprivileged individuals dealing with exceptionally difficult circumstances.
I look forward to the opportunity to continue to develop our new initiatives, and to return Fencing Victoria to a position of financial viability on an ongoing basis.
Leo Zhou
- Business Analyst at Telstra since 2009
- Born in July 1980, China and moved to Australia in 2004
- Master Degree in Information Security from RMIT University
- Professional soccer player
I have been on the board for the last two years, and am seeking re-election. I am deeply committed to supporting the development of a fair, affordable, and competitive environment for Fencing Victoria. As a passionate enthusiast of the sport, I believe that it is important to create a level playing field for all participants, regardless of their background or financial means. By advocating for fair and affordable access to training facilities, equipment, and coaching, we can help to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive fencing community that thrives on healthy competition and mutual respect. With a strategic approach that focuses on innovation and collaboration, we can work together to promote the growth and success of Australian Fencing, both at the grassroots level and on the international stage.
New Nominations
Stella Lu
My name is Sijie Lu, also known as Stella, and I am excited to express my interest in joining the Board of the Victorian Fencing community. I am passionate about supporting the continued growth and development of fencing in Victoria, bringing with me a blend of sporting insight, cultural understanding, and strong professional experience.
My journey into fencing began through my daughter’s enthusiasm for the sport. In supporting her aspirations, I discovered not only the beauty and discipline of fencing, but also a deep appreciation for the welcoming and dedicated community that surrounds it.
Outside of fencing, I co-manage a property development and project management business. I understand what it takes to build something from the ground up—how attention to every small detail contributes to achieving a greater vision. It’s a mindset that mirrors fencing itself, where each parry and lunge is a step toward victory. That same dedication drives me to volunteer my time to support the sport at the grassroots level here in Victoria.
As an Australian with multi cultural background, I have my first hand experience of how inclusion means and feels like. I’m committed to engaging our multicultural fencing community, and ensuring that everyone feels included, informed, and supported.
If elected as a Director, I will bring a practical, solutions-focused mindset along with expertise in operations and marketing to help our community grow strategically. Whether it’s improving event delivery, strengthening partnerships, or making sure every voice is heard, I am committed to building a stronger future for Victorian fencing— together.
Lyra Stewart
Growing up under martial law in the Philippines, I learned the importance of imagination, resilience, and equity—values that have shaped my career in media, education, and human rights. I’ve produced and edited content for HBO, Paramount, National Geographic, and Discovery, and directed documentaries on racial profiling in the U.S. and women’s health in Egypt. With a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University, I’ve worked with the UN and nonprofits to share meaningful stories, from New York to remote villages in Egypt.
I took up fencing in my 30s on a basketball court in Cairo, and have since trained in New York, Berlin, New Zealand, and Melbourne. Through my experiences in diverse fencing communities, I’ve witnessed the sport’s power and its barriers. As a veteran fencer, I’m passionate about making fencing more inclusive and using my love for storytelling to help the sport grow in communities that do not have a seat at the table.
FENCING STORIES UK “HAVE KIT, WILL TRAVEL”: https://fencingstories.podbean.com/e/episode-10-have-kit-will-travel/
Peter Swiatkiwsky
I started fencing at high school and then continued at university. At university, I had the privilege of representing the University of Melbourne at three intervarsity competitions and was awarded a University of Melbourne Half and Full Blues. During this time, I was the fencing club president for two years.
I graduated as an Electrical Engineer and pursued my career, which included living in Vancouver for three years. Prior to Y2K, I moved into Information Technology and gained my Master of IT in 2001 from Monash University. Subsequently, I became a Project Manager working on large multimillion dollar projects within the Telecommunications, Banking and Insurance sectors.
About five years ago, as a Veteran, I rediscovered my passion for fencing. I have really enjoyed the sense of community and camaraderie gained through participating in various State and National competitions.
Now that I have retired and have more time, I would like to give back to fencing. I feel that my experience working with budgets and schedules, together with the practical know-how around technology would be of benefit to Fencing Victoria. I would welcome the opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty, as part of the Fencing Victoria Board.
Elli Wellings
I have been involved in fencing for 37 years as a fencer, coach and volunteer administrator, including as a committee member and President of VRI Fencing Club for 20 years; founder and Head Coach of CrossXswords for 8 years; and time on the VAFA board as committee member, Tournament Director and Vice President.
I have a strong passion for supporting grassroots fencing and encouraging lifelong involvement in the sport. I believe the fencing community has a lot to offer its members and I aim to ensure that it is welcoming, accessible and supportive, with many and varied opportunities for personal growth. As a coach, while I have trained a number of national champions and representatives, my greatest pride comes from seeing them develop into incredible adults, who give back to their sporting and wider community in many different ways.
Professionally, I have worked for Victoria Police for the past 18 years. This includes working on organisation-wide strategies, policies and cultural change programs covering a range of portfolios including Mental Health, Disability, LGBTIQ+ communities; Multicultural communities; Aboriginal communities; Seniors, Young People and Victims of Crime. These days I work (and reside) in Central Victoria where I manage a divisional Intelligence team.
I have a Masters in Public Policy and Management; and an Adv Dip in Project Management. Some of the major pieces of work I have undertaken include cross-jurisdictional work in community engagement, trust and confidence in policing and the evaluation of complex programs of change. I have significant professional experience in project management, policy development and stakeholder engagement and have delivered on a number of significant projects for government with high levels of public scrutiny.
I believe I can apply the combination of my fencing and professional experience in a way that is valuable to FV, to help it continue to build on the great work that has been done, meet its governance obligations, deliver new and exciting projects, and develop and implement a vision for the future of the sport. The motto I live by is: if there’s a problem, be part of the solution.
