29 November 1940 – 27 January 2026

The recent passing of Jim Ferguson was sad and unexpected.  Jim has maintained a strong work ethic for his entire life, remaining an active advocate for sport in the ACT and for Australia. Jim played a significant role in the development of the Australian sport system in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) from June 1990 to December 2000, playing a significant role in the development of the Australian sport system in the lead up to the 2000 Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Jim was reputed to be a calm leader in a period of significant change. He was willing to listen to the expertise of those in sport. This period was not without challenges including the significant expansion of the AIS in Canberra, staffing freezes of the newly elected Howard government and any inquiry into AIS gymnastics. Regarding Jim’s departure from the ASC in December 2000, ASC Chair Peter Bartels said “Jim’s contribution to the development of sport in Australia is immeasurable. The level of excellence now reached and the international standing of Australian sport is the best testament to Jim’s time at the ASC”.

Prior to his appointment to the ASC, he had a 20 year career (1966-1986) in the Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including the role of Ambassador to Peru between 1981 and 1983. His career in federal government sport administration commenced with his appointment as Head of the Tourism and Sport Division, Department of Arts, Sport, the Environment and Tourism in 1986.

After leaving the ASC, Ferugson was actively involved in a number of sporting and government organisations, including President of ACT Rugby Union and President of the China Australia Sports Association. He was also a board member of the Australian Tourist Commission, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the World Youth Soccer Cup, the World Masters Games, and Boxing Australia (2010-2022).

After leaving the ASC, he decided to write a book about his time leading the ASC,  ‘ More Than Sunshine & Vegemite: Success the Australian Way’, which was published in 2006. This book importantly documents the development of the Australian sport system in the decade leading up to the Sydney Games.  In the final chapter, Lessons for the Future, Jim wrote ” The Australian Sports system must continue to take risks, to live at the edge. After all, that is where the excitement is. It will be hard to maintain our levels of success. But it is achievable“.

He left a legacy that all at Owls Rugby can heed and act upon.  Jim played prop with ANU Rugby in the early 1970s, and was the club president in the late 1980s before moving to manage the ASC.  He remained a loyal and regular spectator over the years, being part of the passionate Owls crowd at the 2026 1^st Grade grand final win.

Jim was awarded Life Membership in 1993 in recognition of his significant contribution to the administration and governance of not only ANU Rugby but ot sport in general.