HISTORY OF SAILABILITY PITTWATER

In November 1995, a meeting washeld at Royal Motor Yacht Club by Kay Cottee A.O,  Phil Vardy, and representatives of AYF to canvass interest in forming a group to get people with disabilities onto the water. Interest was shown from local clubs and a group ofvolunteers agreed to make their time available.

Within 3 months, three 2.3 Accessdinghies had been acquired by donations from friends, relatives and grants through the President Lynn Phillips. These boats were stored at BYRA and sailed fortnightly. It became evident that we needed a safety boat,and this was loaned to us by Pittwater High School.

Another need arose for a boat with electric servo motors to enable the more disabled people to sail, this was donated by Sydney Sea Pilots thanks to BYRA club member James Barker-Simson.

We soon found we had more people to accommodate so Rowland Reserve at Bayview was decided upon. At the same time it became obvious that some form of lifting device was necessary as the volunteers were getting wet to their armpits managing boats and people.

Pittwater Council came to our assistance. They made us a davit to lift our sailors in and out of the boats. Another benefactor Joe Habib undertook to make us a trailer that could be usedto store our boats and travel to competitions. We also raised money to purchasea rubber duck and outboard motor.

In the mean time we acquired another two boats through a grant from the State Government for the use of children, as we have regular holiday program sailing with DOCS Interchange and other groups.

In 1999 Lindsay and Maria Dalmonpurchased a 303 "Wee Two" and have sailed regularly as members of BYRA on Sundays.

In November 2001 several benefactors, Sydney Wall Chasing, T.A.Taylor & Son and the Quota Club donated another 303 "Jenny" and this is sailed on a regular basis bythe two Johns, Harvey and Gordon.

Early in 2002, our Patron John Brogden organised an evening at which a raffle was held and the generosity of the patrons present enabled us to purchase a third 303, aptly named "BrogdenBite". The State Governor Marie Bashir AC kindly attended the launching in March 2002.

Again in 2004 John Brogden organised a major fundraiser from which we purchased 2 new Access Libertysingle electric performance sailboats with trailer, which were launched by Marie Bashir in March 2005. These are sailed from the hardstand at RPAYC, together with a 3^rd Liberty and one privately owned boat, making acompetitive fleet on Pittwater for experienced disabled sailors.

At this time Sailability Pittwater had five 2.3 Access Dinghies doubles and one 2.3 Access Dinghy with servo assisted electric motors, three 303 Access dinghies, 3 Access Libertys, 2 with electrics, a rubber duck with 4hp outboard and the Pittwater Punt (on loan from Pittwater High School) with an 8hp outboard motor. The group with annual fees, sailing fees and fund raising, meets annual insurance costs.

Pittwater Council has continued to support us in the building of seats slabs and paths to accommodate wheelchairs and with Pittwater High School Building and Construction group a covered picnic area at Rowland Reserve.

Also in 2005 we purchased a “site caravan”, which has been converted for boat & equipment storage in the Pittwater Council Compound at Rowland Reserve.

Also we received the kind donation of a new Rubber Duckie from Sydney Powerboat Centre, and a 4 hp outboard from Enterprise Marine. The boat was named the JLGordon to respect our long serving coach and rescue boat operator.

Our Commodore Allan Jones was awarded the OAM in 2006 for his services to Sailability, not only at our branch, but also at state, national and international levels. As well as taking our disabled sailors to international events, he has been instrumental in establishing Sailability in India

In April 2006 we celebrated 10 years of operation and honoured 5 volunteer members, who have been heavily involved for all that time. They are Alan & Jan Jones, John Gordon, Ralph Newman and Vince Formosa – thank you all for the time and effort you have putin. Sadly Jan Jones passed away on the day of our 10 year dinner and she will be sorely missed by us all.

In December 2006 we purchased 2 new Access Breeze dinghies to replace the 2.3s, this being funded by a donation from the Primary Club and Pittwater RSL. Since then we have relocated our 3 x 303s from BYRA and purchased an additional 303 whichwe have named “Janice”, in memory of Janice Jones, who did so much for Sailability at all levels.

In 2007 a Christian City Church group raised some $3000 which we used to purchase a trailer for our 303s, which is used every sailing day to store and transport our 303s. Also in this year Pittwater Council built a larger pontoon in deeper water and we purchased a C Crane, which is much easier for winching people and centreboards in and out.

In July 2009 a new storage shed was erected at Rowland Reserve. The official opening was held on 19.11.09. The shed was opened by sailor Maria Dalmon and Patron of Sailability Pittwater Mr John Brogden. 

Also in 2009, Pittwater Council erected a large shelter at Rowland Reserve which has made conditions much more pleasant for both sailors and volunteers, with excellent shade and protection from the weather.