Page 6 - April 2020 emag final

Time to say Goodbye

After three years on the Board of Target Rifle Australia, I have decided that it is time
to make way for someone else after the AGM. Those years have been interesting,
informative and, I hope, productive.

I have just read the editorial in the latest edition of the magazine of the South Aus-
tralian Sea Rescue Squadron, of which I have been a member for 35 years and I want
to share some of the thoughts expressed by the Commodore in that editorial.
He said at the outset – “Culture eats Strategy for breakfast every time” which in-
stantly struck a chord with me. The statement is attributed to Peter Drucker, a lead-
ing Management consultant for the last thirty years.
He has given permission for me to adapt his words to suit for this short article.

So, here goes….
Among other things I have been involved in as a member of the Board, is the development of a strategic plan for
TRA and for use as a template by States if they wish. This appears to be dead in the water on most fronts.
As Drucker recognised, the best designed strategies can be waylaid by the culture of an organisation and the
attitudes of its members.
The culture of an organisation is based on shared attitudes, beliefs, customs, and written and unwritten rules that
have been developed over time and are considered valid (The Business Dictionary).
Culture also includes the organization’s vision, values, norms, systems, symbols, language, assumptions, beliefs,
and habits (Needle, 2004).

Simply stated, organizational culture is “the way things are done around here” (Deal & Kennedy, 2000).
Sometimes there is resistance to change and most of us are comfortable with things the “way they are” and don’t
want change, while others are keen to move forward and try to do things better, or differently. This is the way
anxiety and even friction can develop.

Change is unsettling as we all recognise in the current situation with Covid-19 and it is important that any proposed
changes are explained carefully and clearly, and that support is given where needed to implement them.
So, what am I trying to say?

My hope is that, whatever happens in the future for TRA, that we are all prepared to work together for the greater
good of the organisation. In the final words of the Commodore in his Sea Rescue editorial –
“Then we can all look to the future with renewed confidence while honouring the legacy of the past.”

Yvonne Hill OAM

Yvonne Hill — Just a little history visit for those unfamiliar (unlikely) with this member

A Rifle shooter for 50 years; competed at 1980 Moscow Olympics, 1982 Commonwealth Games, 1974, 1982, 1986
World Championships, several Oceanias, winning 20 international medals, including gold and silver at the 1982
World Championships.
After retiring from competition, Yvonne helped establish the first TRA coaching committee, became head coach
for Paralympic shooting, coached the National Squad for both able bods and disabled, took many rifle teams over-
seas as coach, manager or both. Appointed team manager for the 2000 Olympics and Paralympics and managed
teams of other disciplines, such as shotgun in the lead up.

Awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2015 for services to shooting and the community (the latter recognising
30 years volunteer service as an operational member of SA Sea Rescue Squadron). Yvonne also became involved
with another form of shooting - Photography over the past twelve years and currently sits on the Management
Committee for that organisation.
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