VALE – PETER MALCOLM HAY

1936 – 2021

PETER HAY WAS BORN in Launceston, Tasmania and spent most of his schooling at Hutchins School in Hobart.

The connection with the sea began early with his great-grandfather who was a Ship’s Captain engaged in transporting settlers to Tasmania. The family became involved in the Timber industry and in particular, soft-woods from the Huon Valley. They were partners in a firm named Henry Jones & Co based in Hobart. Their home was adjacent to what we now know as Wrest Point which was owned by Mr Arthur Drysdale and he owned a yacht! It was on that yacht that a small boy named Peter discovered a love of sailing.

Graduating into Cadet Dinghies was a normal progression where his job was to sit in the bottom of the boat with a pan and bail the water out. At the first opportunity he joined the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and despite moving interstate and around the world always maintained that membership. He met a number of sailors visiting for various championships and these included Rory Argyle so that when he re-located to Perth it was natural that he would join RFBYC.

Peter described the difference between sailing conditions in Hobart and those in Perth as ‘coming from hell to heaven’ and RFBYC as having a ‘good feel’ and a ‘unique location’. ‘There are very few clubs where you can watch the racing from the bar and the fellowship is next to none. It has good yachts and good yachtsmen.’

Rory Argyle introduced Peter to Rolly Tasker with whom he sailed many races on Rolly’s various Siska’s including the famed ‘Parmelia’ Race in 1979.

After that he returned to his favourite class of yacht (the Dragon) of which he owned three: DKA 83 which had various names, AUS 191 Red Barron, and AUS 225 Dragonfly. He was fiercely competitive and raced these yachts with success with Willy Packer, Tony or Richard Lynn as helmsman.

When retiring from racing his power boat Four Seasons was used as a Committee Boat for starting and spectators at Dragon events.

In many ways Peter was a giant of a man. Not only because of his height but because of his generosity and loyalty and offer of friendship. He was always ready to help but never pushed it. At the same time there was a sense of impatience in that he did not tolerate fools.

In some ways he was a private person who guarded his family closely. He was devoted to his lovely wife Annie who pre-deceased him and to the well-being of his sons Malcolm, David and John.

We shall miss his presence around Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and the sailing scene.