Reports for 10/11

PRESIDENTS REPORT 

This year saw us celebrating our 15th anniversary and a function was held at the Pittwater Aquatic Club to mark this event. Highlights of the evening were the presentation of Life Membership to Allan Jones by our Patron John Brogden and also the naming of one of our 2.3 electric boats "Maria" This is the boat in which Maria Dalmon will race in the World Access Championships to be held next year in Sydney.

We have continued on our core activity of giving a sailing experience to persons from a wide section of our community organisations as well as individuals. We also have had an intake of children from Fisher Road School, Dee Why where we may have some future aspiring champions.

A considerable amount of work, both in sail training and fund raising, has been undertaken by Bob Hamilton and Alyse Saxby so that they are able to compete in the Special Olympics being held in Athens in June/July this year.

Allan Jones continues to operate the Royal Prince Alfred division of our Branch on Tuesdays with some clients seeking selection for the 2012 Para-Olympic Games in London.

Maintenance of our equipment has been carried out throughout the sailing season and an electric 2.3 has had its electrics overhauled or replaced where necessary.

Volunteers are the mainstay of our organisation and arguably we have one of the best crews in the organisation. We continue to place a strong emphasis on training and this shows up in our day to day operations.

This year our Rowland Reserve facility was certified as an Accredited Training Establishment by Yachting Australia. We were able to assist a High School student working towards his Duke of Edinburgh Award. Later this year we will be hosting a group of terminally ill children from McDonalds House at Randwick for a sailing experience.

The World Access Championships will be held at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club next Easter and, at this stage, it is intended that we will have up to seven competitors.

I should like to thank the members of the Committee who meet on a monthly basis to run our organisation. Without them we could not operate as we do.

On a sadder note we saw the passing-on of two of our hard working volunteers - Barry Everett and Ronald Notter. They will both be remembered with great fondness by all those connected with our Branch and the wider Sailability family.

We all look forward to the upcoming sailing season and the challenges it will undoubtedly bring.

Malcolm Murray.
President

COMMODORE'S REPORT
The Yachting Association in its review of Training Establishments complimented highly Sailability Pittwater's structure and organization. This is due in large to the able leadership and zeal of our President Malcolm Murray, also in the dedication of his Committee and enthusiasm of all those wonderful Volunteers. Results show in a venue and equipment among the best in the state providing pleasure and opportunity to all our sailors.

As I write this report results are coming from Athens with Alyse Saxby and Bob Hamilton scoring first in the first three races of the Special Olympics sailing. These results reflect the dedication of this pair to train exhaustively and fundraise with the help and good wishes of the local Community.

Helen Cregan, Maria and Lindsay Dalmon and Salim Siddiqui are training for competition in Sail Melbourne November 2011,and at the Access Worlds April 2012 in Middle Harbour. I encourage members to look to those who would be pleased to continue their sailing into competition and let me know.

I am at present seeking sponsorship to bring to Australia for competition two sailors from Hyderabad in India. Kankipati Rajesh to sail in Melbourne and Fathima Bee to sail in the Access Worlds.

We are sad to lose two of our wonderful Volunteers, Barry Everett and Ronald Notter, both of whose work and enthusiasm will be missed.

Splendid, continued support from Pittwater Council, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Motor Yacht Club, Bayview Yacht Racing Association (BYRA), Pittwater Aquatic Club, The Pittwater User Group, Douglas Marine Services and Whitworths Nautical World are all appreciated.

Allan Jones
Commodore

Volunteer Coordinator'sl Report

We have again completed another successful season of sailing, made possible by an enthusiastic and well trained team of Volunteers. For most days we had 10-12 volunteers for each of Wed and Sat sailing days, which meant nobody was overworked.

Having Mike Woolley and David Taylor join our Sailing Day Coordinator team has relieved the pressure and broadened our skills base. Judy Longworth and Lynette Litster have done a great job on the Saturday Shore Based Coordination, while Sherrell Everett and Julie Preston look after the Wednesdays.

We are again indebted to the Pittwater Aquatic Club for allowing us to use their excellent facilities for our social functions. This was a great venue for our 15 Year celebrations especially as it has a lift for wheelchair access.

Sadly Barry Everett lost his battle with cancer at the end of April. Barry was our "go to man " whenever we needed something fixed or a contact for getting something done and his input will be sorely missed.

A special mention for David Wormleaton and David Henderson who go out of their way to ensure the Dalmons and Les Swan , all long term Pittwater Sailors, are able to keep getting on the water.

John McCausland
Volunteer Coordinator

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