Act Belong COMMITtee

Written By Vanessa Johnson

Our AGM in August elected a new Committee to guide 4Five+ AC through what looks like an exciting 12 months ahead. Some old hands, and some new faces - learn more about the Committee HERE

  • Chairperson - Vanessa Johnson

  • Vice Chairperson - Monika Murcha

  • Secretary - Sherilyn Mathewson

  • Treasurer - Jodi Earnshaw

  • General Committee - Kate Boulton, Suzanne Fisher, Pamela Main

I’ve included the Chairperson’s Report below - I hope you enjoy reflecting on the great year the club and its members have enjoyed.

Chairperson’s Report 2024-2025 - Vanessa Johnson

It has been another fantastic year for 4Five+ AC and our members. Looking back at the posts on our social sites & website, I see an inspiring bunch of women out there having fun being fit, sometimes fast, and always femme.  

Fit

4F continues to promote information sharing around women’s health and fitness issues via our socials and by hosting learning opportunities. Mel Raybould of Fuel for Life hosted a nutrition workshop about fueling for performance, and Sarah Hunter of FTP Training provided a free training program for our Tour of Margaret River racers. 4F also collaborated with Triathlon WA to host Heart 2 Heart with Stellar Cardiology in Women’s Health Week.

The Southwest Chapter is hosting regular gravel training rides out of Nannup, and it is expected these will gather momentum as the weather improves and the SeVen qualifier for the 2026 Gravel World Champs draws near.

Fun

There have been a variety of social and participation rides on offer with 4F this year. Whilst our traditional First Friday rides in Perth Metro struggled with the weather, we had a great turnout at the Women’s Health Week Ride in September, and also at the Cowaramup Gravel Ride. The Tiger Tracks lead-in rides and other ad hoc social rides out of Nannup are slowly building a community of riders who enjoy gravel and a chat.

Fast

4F is punching above its weight both in hosting and participating in racing.

The Twilight Criterium Series was held in November and now has a cherished (if small) place in the WA calendar. We are the only WA club offering a female-only event, which is a friendly way to welcome women to racing. 2025 will see a us hosting a single Twilight Criterium as we explore a format that works for the club, and racers. 

Tiger Tracks Gravel in Jalbarragup is 4F’s biggest event, both in terms of logistics and budget. TTG is designed to be a grass-roots gravel event embedded in the local community, particularly welcoming to new gravellers and female riders. A small army of precious volunteers and crew make this event possible, and the Jalbarragup and Nannup communities are very supportive of the event. We are especially proud that TTG attracts everyone from novices to Australian Champions, and everyone seems to come away with a smile on their face. Planning is already underway for 2026!

Above: 4F at Tiger Tracks Gravel 2025, AusCycling Road National Champs Club Criterium, Tour of Margaret River, 4F Twilight criterium

Our 4F members have had an outstanding season of racing and results. Too many podiums to list, but special recognition goes to our State and National Champions:

WA State ITT Champs

50-54 Cathy Bush

55-59 Tanya Birkbeck

70-74 Jenny Sammons

WA State Road Champs

WMAS8 Jenny Sammons

WA State Crit Champs

MAS5 Cathy Bush

MAS6 Vanessa Johnson

WA State Kermesse Champs

MAS6 Vanessa Johnson 

MAS7 Shirley Dow Vine 

National Gran Fondo Champs

45-49 Laurelea Moss (and fastest female overall)

55-59 Anne Elliott

60-64 Deb Latouf

65-69 Giselle Hosgood

National Team TT Champs

180+: Alison Dyson, Giselle Hosgood, Jenny Sammons, Vanessa Johnson

National Team Crit Champs

WMAS1-4 individual: Laurelea Moss

WMAS5+: Anne Elliott, Cathy Bush, Deb Latouf, Jane Yang, Nikki Pursell, Vanessa Johnson

 It’s also great to see so many members qualifying for Masters Road and Gravel World Championships. Good luck to those representing Australia in the coming months – fanfare pending final start lists.

National Gravel Champs

WMAS7: Deb Latouf

This year we have launched a 4F Squadra to provide support to our racing members. We have 30+ riders in the Squadra, and will field 3 teams at Tour of Margaret River in 2025. Around 20 of the Squadra have their eye on gravel events, and there is a great deal of enthusiasm for the National Road Championships in January.

Podiums above: 2025 AusCycling Road National Champs Club TTT, 2025 AusCycling Road National Champs Club Criterium, 2025 AusCycling WA State Criterium Champs, 2025 AusCycling National Gravel Champs

Femme

We continue to use beautiful imagery of women 45+ enjoying their cycling pursuits to challenge stereotypes around gender and ageing. Many thanks to the many WA photographers who give their permission to share their work, especially Neil McLagan who makes the trek to Jalbarragup for Tiger Tracks.

We believe in fostering female participation wherever it might happen with our actions and our $$: a women’s only start at Tiger Tracks; cupcakes at WA Cyclocross Ladies Day; prizes for 45+ first places at Renae’s Race; and prizes for Women’s Masters A series podium at WA Cyclocross. 

Thankyou

The many 4F events and initiatives are only possible with the support of the WA cycling community. As well as the many volunteers who contribute their valuable time, we have many sponsors and supporters who make things happen through mentoring, in kind support and sponsorship. Thank you all. I encourage our members to support the people who support your club.

  • Escape.cc

  • Ride WA 

  • Fuel for Life

  • Fat Duck Cycles

  • FTP Training

  • Kalamunda Cycles

  • Talison Lithium

  • Nannup Brewing Co

  • Melody Wheels

  • Tiger Valley Gallery & Giftware

  • Loose Goose Chalets & Shuttles

  • Nannup Community Resource Centre

  • AusCycling WA, WA Cyclocross, Midland CC, Roues Chaudes CC, Peel District CC


And many thanks to the 4F Committee who support the many endeavours of 4F. Sadly this year Deb Kempe relinquished her role as Vice Chairperson – Deb’s humanity and passion for women’s health and fitness was invaluable in founding 4F. Treasurer Jodi Earnshaw keeps our finances on track, Sherilyn Mathewson is supremely efficient in her role as Secretary, and Kate Godde is an advocate for pragmatism and always on hand to lend a hand at our big events. We welcome new voices to the 4F Committee to help us shape our direction for the coming year.

Many thanks to the contributing photographers: Neil McLagan, Maya Photos, Patrick Boere, Santel Bush






Vanessa Johnson
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