AGM Welcomes New Life Member

Sandgate-Redcliffe stalwart Ken Dixon was announced at last night’s QC Annual General Meeting as its latest Life Member, honouring his active involvement in the game for more than 50 years.

He was presented with his Life Member’s badge by Chair Kirsten Pike, the former Australian pace bowler who he helped bring to Sandgate-Redcliffe as a prospective player when she was a teenager.

Dixon is the second member of the family to be made a Life Member of Queensland following his late brother Graham in 2013.

He started his playing career with Sandgate-Redcliffe in 1967 and joined the Sandgate-Redcliffe executive committee in 1973.

He was elected assistant secretary in 1982 and then became club secretary in 1991, a role he filled with dedication until stepping down in 2023.

Sandgate-Redcliffe recognised Ken with life membership in 1984 and he received an OAM in 2017 for his services to the game. 

He was club coach between 1993 and 2003 winning four first grade premierships and was a leading contributor to Sandgate-Redcliffe starting their women’s cricket program with a team entering first grade in 1995-96.

He was also instrumental in working with the local cricket community to form the Sandgate-Redcliffe Junior Cricket club in 1991.

Dixon has been renowned for his skill in talent ID and development over the years.

As well as working in Youth and Indigenous team selections, he was a member of Queensland Cricket’s State Selection Panel for more than a decade. 

He joined the panel in 2003 before finishing his tenure in 2020 with wins in four Sheffield Shield’s (Pura Cup) and four One Day Cup victories.

He also contributed extensively to Premier Cricket as a long-serving member of the Queensland Cricket Grade Cricket committee. 

Dixon said he was humbled to be honoured in such a fashion.

“I look back at the names who have received Life Membership and am still a bit stunned that I have the chance to join them tonight,” he said.

“I have so many good memories from the game, and I look forward to continuing to be involved in whatever capacity I can.”

Tonight’s AGM heard that Queensland Cricket was again able to achieve its budgeted financial surplus target for the year.

The surplus for the year amounted to $968,451 (2023: $863,602), which incorporates an amount of $442,142 representing gains from the QCA Future Fund. 

Excluding this amount, which is not available for general use, the net operating surplus for the year was $526,309.

Members were provided with a comprehensive update from CEO Terry Svenson on QC’s progress over the past year against its strategic plan including the focus on growing participation and its investment into infrastructure to support clubs and associations throughout Queensland.

Delegates also heard more about plans for the 2024-25 season, covering key initiatives, and the challenges QC faces, including uncertainty around investment in the Gabba and the need for a new stadium.
 
Elected Directors John Salter and Ian Healy were returned unopposed for a further three-year term while appointed Director Mark Gray will step off the Board at the end of the month. 

QC Chair Kirsten Pike thanked Gray for his work on the Board since his initial appointment in 2013.

“Mark served with distinction as Chair of our Finance, Governance, Audit and Risk Committee and our financial position has certainly strengthened in this time,’’ she said.

“His insights and wise counsel have been of great assistance to the Board, and we wish him all the best in the future.”

A new Director will be appointed once the QC Nominations committee provides suitable candidates to the Board.