In 1974, Arthur Bentley was appointed Acting National President, marking the beginning of formal leadership for the organisation. Two years later, at the first Annual National Conference in 1976, a full National Executive was elected, with Arthur Bentley as National President and Andrew Houghton as National Secretary. Over the years, the ADA has expanded to include branches in every state and territory, reflecting its growing influence and commitment to deer management and recreational hunting. You can explore a full list of our branches [here].
In 2013, the ADA appointed its first Executive Officer, signalling the start of a more structured approach to managing the Association’s day-to-day operations and advocacy efforts. This marked the beginning of a shift toward a more professionalised leadership structure.
By 2017, the ADA had transitioned to a skills-based Board, ensuring that the leadership team brought together a diverse range of expertise to meet the sector's evolving challenges. This approach enables the ADA to address new and emerging issues effectively while continuing to advocate for sustainable wild deer management and recreational hunting.
The appointment of the Executive Officer and the expansion of the team to include dedicated operational and marketing staff have allowed the ADA to grow and strengthen its advocacy efforts.
With a rich history and a forward-looking leadership model, the ADA remains at the forefront of wild deer management, hunting advocacy, and member services across Australia.
The Australian Deer Association is governed by a skills-based board that sets its strategic direction and provides accountability, governance, and oversight of the organisation and its operations through its executive officer (or equivalent) and other management team members.
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