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Month's Volunteer
Give credit to your volunteers - more than their weight in gold
It has been decided to add a new heading called "Month's Volunteer". to the existing headings of the website.
This part of the Sailability NSW website is available to all clubs wishing to recognise their chosen volunteer's name with an article outlining their activity and a picture (optional, but preferred) which will be published on a first come first served basis once a month.
I hope this innovation will meet with the approval of all our branches and am looking forward to your articles and pictures.
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November 2009 Volunteer
Belmont 16s
Clive Weal
"Sailability" the joy of feeling alive.
A severe and debilitating stroke five years ago took away my independence, leaving a big hole and changes in my life. Vision impairment and reduced mobility meant I was no longer able to work or drive. This was a very big blow to me, a loss of confidence and difficulty in conversing with others made me very depressed. My life was empty, however two years ago it was suggested to that I visit "Sailability" and I "Try Sail". I did, and enjoyed sailing immensely.
I have now regained my confidence and am happy to be amongst other people, I have an interest to look forward to and sailing helps me with exercising my arms, legs and brain. I feel I am living again and have enjoyable days sailing.
Happy sailing from Clive.
Cilve Weal and Gary Keenan ready to go sailing in a 3.03 Access dinghy
Clive is now a regular volunteer sailing on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Clive took part in the NSW State Championships at Lake Wallace earlier this year, in the Port Stephens Cup and the Lake Macquarie Games in August.
Maurie Gammage
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October 2009 Volunteer
Manly
Meet Ivan Demeny
Ivan is a very long term volunteer, having commenced as a sailing volunteer in October, 1998. He has been to almost every sailing day we have had at Manly, both Saturdays and Wednesdays except for time off for trips to hospital every so often. Because of his very long term attendance, many of our clients know him well, and always ask to wait for Ivan when it is their turn to sail.
It is not only his constant attendance at sailing that makes him unique, it is his support of the other things that go to make the perfect volunteer.
The answering phone calls, being available to help with loading and unloading boats, the loan of his car for transport, supporting Eli, putting up with an exhausted wife, cooking his own meals on meeting nights, and most of all, being there for competitions when an able-bodied person is needed to support a person with a disability at championships. It is always his helpful way to understand and empathise with whatever is necessary to be done.
Go Ivan!!!!!!
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September 2009 Volunteer
Penrith Lakes
Mike Watson
Mike Watson of Sailability Penrith Lakes for the month of September 2009.
We would like to put Mike Watson up for the volunteer of the month. Mike Watson has been with Penrith Lakes over sevens years and he has been a great help over the years as a willing to helper performing any task that is needed to be done, he is a very good instructor and I have been very impressed with his ability to bond with our clients.
John Smith
Commodore Penrith Lakes
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August 2009 Volunteer
Manly
Helen Hendry
Helen Hendry of Sailability Manly is the NSW Sailing Volunteer of the month of August..
Helen arrived at Sailability Manly in 2006, and for some reason, her face just lit up!!! Here was a job she was going to enjoy immensely. On the very first day she helped people into boats, learnt part of the rigging, and was absolutely thrilled to be taken for a sail.
Now, we do not run a sailing day without her. She has achieved her Power Boat Licence, has learnt to rig and sail, helps with cooking sausages when necessary, is an exemplary registrar and has even been a time-keeper. Her great joy is to go on the Safety Boat as observer.
One of the nicest things about Helen is her dependability. If she gets an email asking for help with a working bee, planning a social occasion, or going on the committee, her answer is always ‘Yes.', and she turns up for the job. Saturdays and Wednesdays are Helen's days of great joy, and she even drags husband Francis along whenever he is available. We have been to speak to her Probus group on her invitation, and in this way have attracted several extra volunteers. Through Helen's insistence, her Rotary Group, Manly Sunrise Rotary have helped us with monetary contributions.
She is truly, good value.
Eli Demeny
Secretary Sailability Manly
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July 2009 Volunteer
Belmont16s
Stephen Burns
Stephen Burns of Sailability Belmonts 16 is the Volunteer of the month of July.
Sailability Belmont 16s would like everyone to meet Stephen Burns one of our many volunteer s he is known as little Steve as have another Steve called BIG Steve.
Now Little Steve not being the wild type had a motor bike converted into a motorised wheel chair transporter which was very good.
While on a trip form Newcastle to Tamworth he tipped it over and laid in ditch on the side of the New England Hwy for several hours before being found uninjured.
A more sedate pass time was taken up and that was weight lifting , which Steve excelled at in his grade.
After talking to some of our volunteers at the bar of the Belmont 16Foot Sailing Club Steve wanted to try sailing. Starting about 2002 , pushing his manual chair about 2.5 km each way to and from sailing.
Never having sailed before Steve went out with a volunteer in a 2.3 double.
After several lessons he then ventured out on his own. Then he started to come Tuesday and Fridays .
With much yelling and shouting from Bert on the shore "Sheet on! Sheet off! Turn to port *@@###&&&!!!!!! Jesus whats he doing now? " Steve over came Bert`s yelling by learning sailing quite well
Steve became a good sailor and went on to win the following in a 2.3 single
2004 Div 3&4 Rickshaws Australian & International Championship
2004 Div 3 Lake Macquarie Games
2006 Div 3 Port Stephens Cup
2007 Port Stephens Cup 3rd
2008 Port Stephens cup 1st
Also Steve was runner up in the City of Lake Macquarie Sports Person of the year award in the Sportsperson with a Dissability section several times.
Then he decided to rest on his laurels and settle back, relax and become a volunteer with Sailability Belmont 16s, no more pushing now arriving on a nice red electric scooter.
While doing a television interview from his boat at the official opening of our pontoon he tried to con the reporter to get in the boat with him for a sail but she chickened out
Now he sails 3 days a week taking out special needs kids, adults and some times teaching carers to sail . Steve also comes when we have special respite care groups on Mondays, Campbreakaway, Toronto Cares, Hunter New England Area Health, Vision Australia and staff days for the 16 Foot sailing Club, where we take the club staff sailing so the staff can see firsthand how the club sponsorship is spent
Kids with CP look up to Steve," look he has CP just like me, if he can sail I can sail too ".
He nearly always is the first at the boat shed in the morning and always bright and cheerful returning as much stick as he is given. Reckoned he was in the wrong boat shed one day as someone was nice to him.
Steve told me once " the first thing you learn in a chair is patience, you are last to be served as you are mostly below the counter level and not seen. Also most shops don't have good chair access so you struggle to get in or don't get in at all."
Steve puts new chair bound sailors at ease with his quiet air of self confidence
"If they can teach me they can teach anybody"
"nothing is a problem,we are sailors and we don't care "
"its only a problem if you let it"
"If I can do it any body can"
"it does not matter what happens on the water as long you aback in time for lunch"
Its MEN like Steve that cope with life from a chair that make SAILABILITY worthwhile and enjoyable for all.
Maurie Gammidge
Vice President Sailability Belmont16s
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