19 minute read
NEWS FROM OUR FLAG OFFICERS
ROBERT PARKER
COMMODORE
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Well, it’s another glorious Autumn day as I pen my last Tidings report as Commodore! My enthusiasm for all things ‘Freshy’ is not diminished though and the three months since last Tidings has been particularly busy.
On Thursday, 8 April we held farewell drinks for our CEO, Paul Bayliss, after over 10 years with the Club. Paul’s popularity was clear from the large turnout and strong acclamation. Paul’s own enjoyment of his time with the Club was also clear from his kind words. He’s taking a well-earned break, and is currently back in the UK visiting relatives, friends and holidaying.
With great serendipity we were fortunate that the thenCEO of Swan River Sailing, and State Manager of Australian WA, Andy Fethers, was just ‘on the market’ for a new career change, and we were extremely fortunate that Andy joined us on Monday, 2 May.
Andy is well known to many in the sailing fraternity but please drop by and make his acquaintance.
I also welcome to the Club our new Principal Accountant, Marcos Benedit. Marcos hails from Argentina but has worked in WA for several years, in various companies. He started on Wednesday, 25 May and was immediately confronted with our auditors – talk about a baptism of fire! Marcos is keen to rationalise and enhance our various Club financial systems. Future Treasurers will thank him if he can achieve that.
Summer sailing season concluded on 9 April with beautiful Autumn weather with light breezes and excellent fleet numbers. Keelboat prize night on Friday, 13 May was well attended and congratulations to those who took home awards. Rear Commodore, Ian Burvill, elaborates in his article.
The Dinghy section had a great season and Rear Commodore, Scott Monro, provides further details herein. The Australian Sailing Q3 report just released shows we are continuing to lead nationally in many categories. Foremost is that we were again the No. 1 Discover Sailing Centre nationally, with approx. 1,000 completed students. Our ongoing mission of course, is to keep those younger sailors engaged and progressing through to teenage and young adult fleets. The new Dinghy & Training Centre is certainly getting a good workout!
Our Power Time Trialling Season got off to a great start on Saturday, 7 May. We had many visiting Commodores and Flag Officers who all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The wharf side official opening and subsequent party kicked on till late – surely helped by the West Winds Gin station! Rear Commodore Power, Elise Manners, provides further detail in her report.
Tracey and I attended last night’s (27 May) ‘Musicals’ themed Dinghy Prize Night and it was great fun. The vibrancy in the Dinghy and Junior section is fantastic to see.
Other key events in the last short while, all of which I attended, included: • Anzac Day Service – very strong attendance, moving remembrances and perfect conditions. • Retro Series final race and handover from RPYC – another great series. • Over 30 Years Crew lunch – guest speaker being Chris Bowman – get the book – it’s a fascinating story. • Old Gaffers Series end of season presentations. • Royal Perth Yacht Club and Claremont Yacht Club Power Opening days (we were also represented at SoPYC). • Ron Tough Yachting Foundation Awards – slick and professional as ever under Philippa Packer’s chairing skills. Over $60,000 provided to an amazing group of young sailors, many of whom being members of our Club. Guest speaker Dr Bruce Buckley gave some fascinating insights into ‘track-side’ weather forecasting and planning. • Farrawa Cup Offshore Presentation evening – a great night with many visiting members from river and ocean-based clubs. Congratulations to Ross Norgard and the crew of Salacia II (RF1971) on winning first to Bunbury (IRC and PHS) and 2nd IRC Div 2 for the ‘both ways’ Overall. The crew debrief in the boatshed the next night was very lively as a result! • New Members’ Nights – three held since March edition of Tidings, with an amazing array of ages, experience and skills joining us. I thank my fellow Flag Officers and General Committee members who make the effort to come along and show support to the new members, as well as to their Proposers and Seconders who are bringing great new life into the Club. It can feel onerous, but they’re great
Secondly, I welcome our new CEO Andy Fethers to the Club. Andy has a great record in boating both as a sailor and manager. He brings a broad spectrum of experience to our table. He has been busy recently acquainting himself with our staff, our committees and their remits and operations.
It seems a long time ago that we were required to address our first COVID-19 restrictions in March 2020. The Club has transitioned this time well and is in a healthy position. We are now operating under very minimal COVID restrictions. Those affecting us are mandatory workplace vaccinations and use of masks in some high-risk situations. I thank all members for their cooperation in assisting us to arrive at this point.
MEMBERSHIP
Our next New Members Night is Friday, 24 June when we will introduce our latest new members to the Club. Please check Front of House for more details as they become available. All members are welcome to attend these nights and I encourage new members and their sponsors to enjoy a Bowline meal after the ceremony.
April membership numbers show our figures continue to rise as expected. The last of our Sailing Affiliates membership category expired at the end of April. Crew members now sign on using the MemberPoint App. There are approximately 150 people using the App to sign on each week and by doing so are covered by the Australian Sailing insurance cover as they were when they were Sailing Affiliates. Quite a few sailors in this category are seeing the benefits of joining as full Members and enjoying the benefits associated with that membership such as full access to boating facilities, dining and hosting opportunities and family events.
I look forward to seeing the year end membership numbers in the Yearbook for comparison.
My appreciation goes to Committee members Rear Commodore Elise Manners, Grant Alderson, Jenny Spearman, John Walsh, Mark Tremain and especially Suzzi Ghent for their input in advising, interviewing and welcoming new members to life at the Club. Thank you.
HOUSE & SOCIAL
Our menus are under continual review and we now enter our winter season with the return of the popular seafood gratin, pizzas and popular Wednesday Winter Specials. The first one was very well received and we will be scheduling every Wednesday as a Winter Special $25.00 menu. Bookings are essential for these nights.
Other events and functions planned for this quarter include: • The first of the RFBYC Trivia Nights was on Monday, 13 June. Get a group together of any size for $10pp, BYO nibbles are encouraged and the kitchen will have a selection of items available to order over the bar. Following dates for these are the first weeks of July, August and September. Make up a table from your Fleet and challenge others for a Best of Club! • Our Wine Dinners present the opportunity to sample some special wines that have been paired to delicious menus customised by our Head Chef Derrick. Dates for these evenings are Saturday, 18 June for our first winter wine dinner hosted by Tate Wines. Following that are Vasse Felix on Saturday, 30 July and Plantagenet Wines on Saturday, 27 August. • Please keep aside Friday, 12 August to celebrate the Commodores’ Cocktail Party as we bid farewell to Commodore Rob Parker and thank him for his leadership.
Recent events included: • Easter Sunday Seafood Buffet – well attended, including an Easter Egg hunt for the kids conducted by our staff. • Anzac Service – well supported on a cool morning and a PA system seeming to suffer from that temperature as much as the rest of us. • Mother’s Day was well attended with over 200 people celebrating this special day. • Both the Champions Prize Night and the Dinghy Prize Night proved popular and winners were grinners.
My appreciation goes to Committee members Andrew Gill, Barbara-Dene Jones, Fiona Webster, Kim Laurence, Luke Paterson and especially Debbie Hanrahan for their input and creativity in keeping the social life of the Club active and vibrant. Thank you.
As always, please keep an eye on Front of House emails for details of upcoming events
I look forward to seeing you around our Club.
PETER CHALMER
VICE COMMODORE
FIRSTLY, LET ME SAY farewell to CEO Paul Bayliss and thank him for his guidance and assistance in the 8 years that he and I worked together. I enjoyed working with him and respected his knowledge of sailing and yacht clubs.
IAN BURVILL
REAR COMMODORE SAIL
THE SUMMER SAILING SEASON finished on 9 April with Closing Day and the Roland Smith Ocean Race.
Sailors enjoyed a light sea breeze on the final outing for the season. In the Roland Smith Ocean Race, David Davenport, a reciprocal member of RFBYC, sailing for EFYC, won Division 1 IRC in his TP52, Crush. Ross Norgard, proudly competing for RFBYC, won IRC Division 2 on his 1971 S&S classic, Salacia II. Congratulations to them both.
The 2022 Women’s state championship was held on 19 March. RFBYC teams, led by Lucy Alderson and Sandy Anderson, placed second and third overall. Lucy’s Akamai Race Team competed the following day in the 2022 Youth state championship, again placing second. Well done.
RFBYC won the 2022 Inter Club Championship, held from 8 to 10 April. The Club’s skippers for each division of the championship were Peter Ahern (veterans), Lucy Alderson (women’s), Grant Alderson (open) and Ethan Prieto-Low (open). Congratulations to our sailors for the successful defence of the title.
After the end of the season, I attended prize nights on three successive Fridays. The Champions’ Prize Night was held on 13 May. The event was well attended, even though several trophy winners had COVID and were unable to attend. Next, the Farrawa Cup Prize Night, on 20 May, was for the participants in RFBYC’s offshore series. It was a congenial gathering of sailors from all the larger local yacht clubs. Lastly, the Dinghy Prize Night, on 27 May, was a hilarious musical themed evening. Andrew Gill, as master of ceremonies and part-time magician, had the crowd in stitches.
No sooner than the old season finished, Club sailing continued. The Miles from Nowhere Mid-Week/ Winter Series commenced on 14 April. The Sunday Frostbite races started on 29 May, when sailors weathered a challenging south-south-easterly breeze.
My two-year term as Rear Commodore of Sail is coming to an end. There are many people that I’d like to thank for their support. Firstly, thanks to the sailing staff, led by Yachting Operations Manager, Debbie Blaauw. Next, I’d like to say thank you to past CEO, Paul Bayliss, who always provided a voice of reason. Thank you also to the many volunteers, including race management teams, my fellow General Committee and Sub-Committee members, and to John Standley for his world class technical support. Lastly, thank you to my wife, Sharon, for her support and understanding over the past two years.
ROBERT PARKER COMMODORE CONTINUED
continued from page 3 nights and the rewards are worth it!
The St Ayles Skiff section continue to push the envelope – not just in average age! With high motivation from chief organizer Mark, aka Freddie, Butler the group rowed both our skiffs from Woodman Point back to the Club on Sunday, 7 May. With five crew change-overs along the way, and power boat support, it was a logistical feat to be sure. I can see a precedent for future ‘raid’ style events.
As I write, the June long weekend beckons, hopefully with continuing glorious Autumn weather. Best of luck to those Time Trialling, Frostbiting, Mid-Week Racing and dinghy sailing over winter.
This is my last Tidings and I thank my fellow Flag Officers, Committees and all members who have provided me great support and friendship over my term. I have thoroughly enjoyed my role, albeit that it was through a period of very high activity and particular challenges.
The Club seems to be in pretty good shape, and with a new CEO and incoming Committees, I’m sure we will continue to be a force in the sailing and boating community.
The Dinghy Prize Night was a huge hit with everybody striding down the red carpet dressed in their favourite ‘Musical’ theme. The speeches and awards were short and swift, with plenty of opportunity for dancing and socialising. It was a very entertaining evening, with lots of laughs and good humour, prizes and celebration.
Amy Moore was awarded the Junior Club Person of the Year for the 2021/22 sailing season, receiving the Huck Scott Perpetual Trophy. Amy has been a very active and loyal Junior member for 9 years. Amy started sailing the O’pen Skiff, then the Mirror and more recently the Laser 4.7. Amy has served on Junior Committee over the last four years and is currently the Vice-Captain. She is a terrific sport, an excellent role model of the ‘She Sails’ programme and a valued Instructor at the Training Centre. Congratulations, Amy!
With the easing of travel restrictions, our dinghy sailors are starting to travel once more to compete in National and International competition. A team of nine RFBYC dinghy sailors recently competed in the Victorian Youth Championships hosted by the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. Most notable achievements were Zac Sprunt and Vassilis Katsaitis finishing 3rd, and Ona Rafart and Pol Rafart finishing 13th from 36 boats in the 29er Championship. Amy Moore also achieved a very solid performance in the Laser 4.7 finishing 7th from 24 boats in some very challenging and variable conditions on Port Phillip Bay. Zac, Vass, Ona and Pol will soon be travelling to Barcelona to compete in the 29er World Championships. Max Godfroy will also be travelling to Europe to compete in several Moth regattas in the UK, Italy, France and Germany. Zac Littlewood and Zoe Thomson are already overseas competing in a series of Laser World Championships. We wish our dinghy sailors every success in their international competitions.
It is important to also acknowledge Hayley Clark, who was recently selected to coach the Australian Sailing Youth Team at the World Youth Championships and the 29er World Championships. Hayley has also been selected as one of four sailing coaches nationwide to be part of an AIS Coach Development Programme and has received an AIS Coaching Scholarship. Congratulations, Hayley.
A big shout out to Caroline Elms who is stepping down from the volunteer role of Canteen Co-ordinator after many years of service and commitment to the DTC. Caroline has done a tremendous job organising the Canteen volunteers and necessary supplies to ensure our dinghy sailors are well fed before and after sailing competition. Thank-you, Caroline.
Another big thank-you to the bosun, Nathan Stronach and his very helpful team for always keeping the DTC building and grounds in very good order. They continue to work through a ‘punch list’ of final fit outs, minor refurbishments, maintenance and repairs.
Once again, the Training Centre has been acknowledged by Australia Sailing as the No.1 Discover Sailing Centre in Australia based on very strong participations in the Tackers and Out There Sailing programmes over the last quarter. The Training Centre continues to build a very solid reputation in Sailing Excellence.
In closing, I wish to thank all staff, parents, volunteers and Junior Committee for their service and support over the last two years during my term as Rear Commodore. Despite all the disruptions due to COVID, everybody should be very proud of everything that has been achieved during the transition from the old clubhouse to the DTC.
I also wish to sincerely acknowledge and thank the General Committee and Capital Works Committee for the DTC. It is a magnificent Dinghy and Training Centre. Lastly and most importantly, I wish to thank the Club members for their generous sponsorship. I am so proud of RFBYC for their continued support of the juniors and their dinghy sailing and training programmes. RFBYC is a very special Club.
SCOTT MONRO
REAR COMMODORE JUNIORS
CLOSING DAY AT the Dinghy & Training Centre (DTC) was very well attended, with everyone upbeat and in festive spirits after a very successful summer season of Off The Beach (OTB) competition. Overall participation at the DTC was the highest it has been for many years. Green and Orange fleet represented the strongest fleets. Participation was also very strong from the Optimist, O’pen Skiff and Laser fleets. On average, there were 75 dinghies participating in Club events each Sunday of OTB competition.
ELISE MANNERS
REAR COMMODORE POWER
THE 2022 POWER TIME TRIALLING Opening Day was held on Saturday, 7 May under brilliant blue skies. Even though COVID continues to hang over our heads, we still managed to get 18 nominations with 17 power boats, both classic and modern, rafting up along the main wharf after the short time trial.
The band played through the afternoon and the West Winds Gin Bar, Leeuwin Estate wine stand and Fire Truck Pizza Oven were strategically placed, making the day a great success. It was fabulous to see some new faces out on the water and on the wharf afterwards. I certainly hope to continue to see them, and other new and seasoned time triallers competing regularly.
Results for the day were: First place, with just 3 points lost, was Key Largo, Rory Vinnicombe and Graham Hogg. A close second with 4 points lost was Noah Genda, Gary and Raymond Smith and third place went to Card Shark, Andrew Gill and Neil Clegg, with a total of 6 points lost.
Unfortunately, we were forced to cancel Camp Quality Fun day, that was scheduled for Sunday, 27 March, due to COVID becoming more prevalent in our community, many of those involved in Camp Quality are immunocompromised. Thank you to all who had volunteered their time and boats to help this day be the success it always is. Hopefully next year we will get the well deserving children and their families out on the water.
The first of the eight state teams events scheduled for this season was run on Saturday, 28 May hosted by SoPYC. The second heat is due to be held on Sunday, 12 June in conjunction with the Lloyd Anderson Time Trial hosted by CYC and the third state event is scheduled for Saturday, 23 June in conjunction with RPYC’s Searfarers Marathon. Good luck to all our team members! Just a reminder, these events also count towards Club consistency points.
Socially, on Saturday, 9 July we have planned a cruise to Elizabeth Quay with lunch at Six Senses. Further details for this event will be available shortly. There will be Club boats organised for the journey up and back and places are limited so be sure to book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment!
We have a total of 38 nominated for this season and it would be fabulous to see this number participating regularly. If you are interested in joining the time trialling community and/ or need some help getting started, please email Jade Lane at power@rfbyc.asn. au or call 9286 8200. It is never too late to join in the fun. I would like to point out that nominating for the season does not give you an automatic exemption from being called upon for checkpoint duty unless you are competing regularly.
This is my last Tidings article as Rear Commodore Power so I take this opportunity to thank my fellow committee members, Tim Cummins, David Groucutt, Stephen Lewis, Evan Moore, Geoff Wells and Mark Donati. Over the last two years we have worked through a lot and our weekly participation numbers have grown, I thank you all for your continued support and hard work. I also thank all those who volunteer in so many different ways, the Club would not be the success it is without you. It has truly been an honour to serve this amazing Club under Commodore Parker and alongside my fellow flag officers and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to do so. I look forward to seeing you out on the water or around our beautiful Club very soon.
below: the 2022 Power Time Trialling Opening Day was a great success
E S HWATER R F
ROYA L BAY YAC H T
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L U B INC.
Annual Combined Mess Night DATE:
DATE: or rfbyc@rfbyc.asn.au
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Some helpful hints to make sure you have a fantastic night at the Combined Mess Night. Some helpful hints to make sure you have a fantastic night at the Combined Mess Night. or rfbyc@rfbyc.asn.au
Diners are asked to observe the following Diners are asked to observe the following matters of etiquette and protocol. matters of etiquette and protocol.
• After moving into the • After moving into the dining room, please remain dining room, please remain standing until the Dining standing until the Dining President is seated. President is seated. • While Grace is being said, all • While Grace is being said, all diners are to remain seated. diners are to remain seated. • After meals have been • After meals have been served, please wait for served, please wait for the Dining President to the Dining President to commence eating. commence eating. • Apart from a possible recess, • Apart from a possible recess, until the “Loyal Toast” has until the “Loyal Toast” has been honoured, please do been honoured, please do not stand up or leave the not stand up or leave the dining table. dining table. • When honouring the “Loyal • When honouring the “Loyal Toast”, in accordance with Toast”, in accordance with Naval Tradition, please remain Naval Tradition, please remain SEATED. Diners who do not SEATED. Diners who do not drink Port may drink water. drink Port may drink water.
