Alfred’s News
The RPAYC Monthly Newsletter
Diary Dates
June 2017
Lighting of the Fire
At its annual ‘Lighting of the Fire’
and in front of a room packed
with RPAYC Members and their
friends, Colonel Richard Mallet,
Sunday 4 June
Director of the Adaptive Sports
Two Handed & Women’s Winter Program for the Invictus Games
2018 applauded the Royal Prince
Series R2 1000hrs
Alfred Yacht Club and its Members
for the program the Club has been
June 7
running for injured and ill veterans.
Invictus Games Sailing Launch Colonel Mallet spoke about the
difference that programs such as
this can make to the rehabilitation
June 9
of veterans who have served their country, as well as their families who are also affected
Special Regulations Seminar
by the illnesses of returned veterans. He added that the Members should be very proud of
1900-2000. Admirals Cup Room the contributions that the Club and themselves are making to the community.
Friday 2 June
First Friday - Toucan’s Travels
June 10-12
Bobbin Head Estuary Cruise
June 12
Queens Birthday
(Club open, see website for hours)
June 16
Speaker’s Corner - Archives
Sail Trim Seminar 1900 - 2000
June 25
Portuguese Picnic
July 7
First Friday
July 8-9
One Design Regatta
Estuary Cruise (destination TBA)
July 21
Volunteers’ Cocktail Party
July 23
Cruise Ashore Venue
July 25
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
2000 – dinner available
July 30
Club Rally & Portuguese Picnic
As part of its solid commitment to the community through its award winning Integrated
disAbled Sailing Program, the Club and its volunteer Members first began working with
veterans in 2015 through a connection with the veteran support group Solider On, and it
has now seen well over 70 veterans participate in the program. Next Wednesday, 7 June,
Invictus Games Patron Prince Harry will arrive in Sydney to launch the 2018 Games and the
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) will play a key role in kicking off the celebrations
hosting a demonstration Match Race, crewed by veterans in the Club’s fleet of Elliott 7s on
Sydney Harbour.
The unwavering commitment to the rehabilitation of veterans from Tom Spithill, who has
been appointed as the Invictus Technical Director, was praised by Colonel Mallet. Tom’s
older brother James (Jimmy) Spithill is an Invictus Ambassador, however James is unfor-
tunately unable to attend the launch as he is preoccupied trying to back up his America’s
Cup victory in Bermuda.
Colonel Mallet spoke about his hopes that this program can be adopted and replicated
at other yacht clubs throughout the country, noting that the idea of the Invictus Games is
that the event doesn’t conclude with the Games and that a legacy is left to support veter-
ans when they return home.
The 2018 Games will take
place in and around Syd-
ney 18-29 October 2018
and will bring over 500
competitors to Sydney
from 18 Nations to com-
pete in 11 sports.
Prince Harry, who has
served in the British
Armed Forces for over
10 years helped devel-
op the Invictus Games
which is an international
adaptive sporting event
for wounded, injured
and sick servicemen and
women.