ROBERT PARKER COMMODORE
I
T’S HARD TO BELIEVE IT’S a year since my first Tidings as Commodore. The Club has been so active and vibrant that the time has flown. I have enjoyed the last 12 months and I am confident that the ongoing Flag Officers and elected/re-elected General committee (GC) will keep the Club’s governance in good order as we commence another summer sailing season.
The AGM back in July continued with the same group of Flag Officers, but we had a change in GC with Tony Packer standing down after a long period on committee. On behalf of all members I thank Tony for his outstanding contribution to the Club. Tony continues on Capital Works & Maintenance sub-committee, no doubt to ensure the proper completion of the several large capital projects currently underway! I congratulate and welcome Andrew Gill to GC in filling the vacancy left by Tony. I also congratulate Barbara-Dene Jones in returning to GC, 12 months after her term as Rear Commodore Juniors. The Club continues to perform exceptionally well with record membership numbers for many years and sound operational performance, as per the Honorary Treasurers report provide in our recently published Year Book. Sadly, in the last 12 months, we have lost a number of ‘old guard’ members. I thank Basil Twine and many others for providing material and knowledge to enable the various Vale’s that have advised members of these
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passings. I am pleased to note however, that our New Members Nights have seen many wonderful younger members, and family groups. I have no doubt that our ‘old guard’ will be assured that the Club continues with a sound membership base. The COVID word is rarely far from our thoughts but we are to be thankful that our state, and sport, have been able to continue, largely as normal, throughout the last 12 months. Our thoughts go to fellow yacht clubs in the other states. A brief update on our various major capital projects is as follows: MAIN WHARF – WESTERN END
To the relief of staff and near neighbours, piling work was completed a few weeks ago. Deck panels and in-situ concrete pours are nearly complete. With only crane installation and roadworks to complete, the strong hope is that works will be done with a brief gap before summer sailing Opening Day. I thank all members who were affected by boat relocations etc during these works for their understanding and forbearance.
DINGHY & TRAINING CENTRE
This project is in 2 parts, a) Fundraising and b) Development a) Fundraising – the fundraising campaign by way of donations has largely ceased. The balance of planned pledges owing is now a very modest figure and will be completed by next 30 June. With other sundry fundraisings, and the very successful raffle (approx. $135k), the total amount raised is close to $2.7M. This is an outstanding effort by members. Any member wishing to support the project can still donate, with tax deductibility ensured. b) Development – all members visiting the Club will be aware of the rapid progress of the building since completion of the roof. All internal works are well underway and partial handover of the dinghy storage area was provided recently. Rear Commodore Juniors, Scott Monro and member Denis Cullity had a very successful busy bee with parents of juniors and other volunteers and constructed a large portion of the storage racks. This is a fantastic volunteer project. At time of writing, we are confident of completion
of the entire building and storage before Christmas. No doubt there will be finishing works, gardens, landscaping etc continuing into January 2022, but operationally we will have transitioned to the new centre. Again, I thank all members for their understanding and patience with suffering limited parking, truck movements etc throughout this project. I was delighted to attend the Power Section Closing event recently and I congratulate Rear Commodore Elise and Club staff on the running of a very successful season. Of course end of Time Trialling is not the end of participation opportunities for power boat owners. Elise provides further details herein. Vice Commodore Peter Chalmer provides full details on our House and Membership matters, but I wish to acknowledge an excellent combined Mess Night with Royal Perth Yacht Club recently. The camaraderie between our Clubs is at a high level and full attendance indicates that it has become a very successful, member only, event in our respective calendars. continued on page 6 3
