Taking a shot in the arm for the team

Events Manager Theresa Murphy thrives on having multiple challenges on her plate

RNZYS Events Manager Theresa Murphy

Story by Debra Douglas The new RNZYS Events Manager Theresa Murphy has her grandfather and member, Ian Johnson, to thank for an introduction to the hospitality experience offered at the club.

“It was the atmosphere at a Squadron family Christmas Day lunch that impressed me and sparked my interest in working here,” said Theresa. “And my grandfather speaks highly of the place and takes a lot of pride in what the Squadron stands for.”

Theresa started at the Squadron in May last year as maternity cover for the Events Co-ordinator position and then was in a secondment role for the Events Manager, before taking on her present permanent position in January.

Previously she had worked at Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen, which describes itself as a “local brew and street eats champion”, and in a sales role for Conferenz, now called Brightstar, a company specialising in organising conferences, expos and training courses.

Theresa: “The Sweat Shop Brew Kitchen is similar to the Squadron in that it has several function areas and therefore lots of moving parts. In the sales role at Conferenz, I realised I wanted to look for something in that space again.

“Being an Event Manager involves juggling a lot of things at one time. I think you need to be a person who thrives on that and enjoys the challenge. At the Squadron there is the added element of membership, plus more function spaces than I had worked in before. It involves a whole new level of juggling.”

Theresa says she is a little disappointed that the red-light Covid restrictions on hospitality kicked in just as she started her new role, but she says the club is lucky to still have strong support from members and from companies holding business planning meetings.

“We are still able to do a lot. And I am feeling positive and confident about the future. We have some really cool member events coming up. Events that are not just food, not just beverage, but a whole experience.

“We are fortunate to have the team we have. Because we go through some long days and nights together, you almost feel like we are a family.”

Away from the Squadron, Theresa carries on the event management theme managing her own business, Event Flair, which provides dancers, musicians, entertainers and models for events. To relax, if you could call it that, she dances, ballroom and Latin American. Sailing is on her bucket list.

“I’ve been Rum Racing, which I thoroughly enjoyed and am waiting the be asked out again. I am enthusiastic and willing to learn,” she says.

Offshore adventures led to Ann Hamilton’s love of sailing

Story & picture by Debra Douglas Twenty-five years ago, Ann Hamilton (pictured below) did a very brave thing. She jumped on a 22m yacht and sailed to Tonga as a member of the crew.

“Previously I had just watched from the shore as my young sons sailed P-class and Lasers, but that was all. I wasn’t a sailor,” said Ann. “I had always said, ‘One day, one day’, and then the opportunity came up. It was on that Tonga trip that I fell in love with sailing.

“I cruised for six weeks around Tonga, then six weeks around Fiji. I was due to come home, but the boat next door needed crew to go to Vanuatu, so I went with them.”

Learning by on-board experience, Ann finally boat-hopped her way back to Auckland from Brisbane, definitely bitten by the sailing bug.

Joining yacht cruising rallies with Island Cruising NZ and linking up with Joyce Talbot, Secretary of the Classic Yacht Association, for the Coastal Classic, classic yacht regattas and Anniversary Day Regattas led to Ann’s involvement with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

Ann: “I loved it all. But I can’t sail anymore because I am a bit wobbly. Being a volunteer member of the race management team is one way I can now get out on the water. No matter how I feel, once I get on that boat and head out into the harbour, I am at peace with the world.”

As a member of the team, Ann could be responsible for the flags, boat marking and time recordings. Her weeks are full, officiating at the Barfoot & Thompson Tuesday Ladies’ Series, Doyle Sails Wednesday Night Series and the Elliott 7 Sprints. She is also on the water for the Anniversary Day Regatta, 36° Brokers Commodores Cup and classic yacht regattas.

“We make sure we give the sailors a well organised race, with good courses. It can be an exciting time, too, with close boats at the start and a lot of yelling and shouting.

“The sailors can’t compete without us. So, if you are thinking of joining us, come and give it a go. The social side is good and it is a way you can give back to the sport.” • For more information about being part of the volunteer team, contact Laurie Jury ljury@rnzys.org.nz, or Race Manager Megan Thomson mthomson@rnzys.org.nz. QUALITY MARINE PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD