The Yachtsman 2016-2017 RPAYC Yachtsman 2016-2017 | Page 11

Just on Member Surveys, our biennial survey will
be conducted at the end of October this year. More
information will be published in the weeks prior to ensure
members are on the lookout for it.
Once again the Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo
was a great showcase for the Club and again attracted
a broad variety of exhibitors and visitors. The feedback
we receive from all who participate in the Expo is very
positive and is a reflection of maintaining the niche
‘sailing only’ aspect to the event.
Club Marine continues to be RPAYC’s main Club
supporter and, with similar values to RPAYC Club
Marine is a great partner. They continue to sponsor
Sail Expo and our Blue Water Series incorporating the
Pittwater to Paradise Race in January. Southport is a
great Club to send our members to and are a fantastic
Club to work with on this race. I encourage members to
show their appreciation and consider Club Marine when
it comes time to renew insurance policies.
The Integrated disAbled Sailing program continues
with its continued focus on Sailability and veterans’ sailing
through Solider On. In June this year, members will have
seen images of the Club’s fleet of Elliott 7s conducting
the sailing demonstration event for the Invictus Games
Launch which was later dubbed the “When Tommy met
Harry” event. RPAYC is the Organising Authority for
the Invictus Games in 2018 and Tom Spithill is Invictus
Sailing Technical Advisor. The sailing will take place on
Sunday 21 October 2018. So put it in your diary as we
and Invictus are hoping for a big spectator fleet.
There has been some reorganisation of our staffing
structures this year to ensure that we are best organised
to provide the support and services to members to enable
them to get the most out of their Club. As noted earlier,
Nick Elliott will take on the role of 2IC when he arrives
to ensure that we have greater focus and alignment
across the operation. There have been a few new faces to
welcome on staff this year including Pip Lodder who joins
us from Middle Harbour Yacht Club – many members
already know Pip. Lisa Hughes joined us in September
last year as Executive Assistant and many members are
getting to know Lisa very well and as she has now been
through a full Club cycle has a complete understanding
of RPAYC life. Katie Pellew will disappear for a few
months to have baby number two and she will be ably
replaced by Jade Berry.
I am very proud to advise that the day prior to
writing this piece, the RPAYC was crowned the Club
Marina of the Year! This Award was presented by
the Marina Industry Association as part of the
biennial Marine 17 conference held in Sydney ahead
of the Sydney International Boatshow. The Award
recognises excellence and leadership in facilities,
standards and service.
helped as there were a very high number of abandoned
race days and other days where weather was such that
it kept the numbers low. There has been some work on
the sailing calendar this year to respond to feedback
delivered in the 2015 Member Survey which we hope
will encourage participation. In addition to changes
in the calendar, as announced earlier in the year, the
Club has invested further in the sport by appointing
Nick Elliott who will take on the role of Race Director
and 2IC. The survey indicated that members wanted
greater presence and accountability of staff out on the
water, observing the races, supporting the volunteers and
providing skippers with a sounding board. Nick comes to
RPAYC from the Royal Ocean Racing Club in the UK
and, while his visa was caught up in the raft of Federal
Government changes to 457 visas, all the paperwork has
been lodged and we look forward to welcoming Nick in
the coming months.
My thanks to all entire staff team. I again thank their
tireless efforts to ensure that they deliver to the high
standards that members and the industry expect. They
go above and beyond, and do what it takes to get the job
done, regardless of the hours needed. I am very proud
of them all and the culture we have amongst the staff.
Members are very fortunate to have such dedication and
I thank them all for their ongoing care and commitment.
We lost a colleague and great friend from staff this
year with the passing of Sharon O’Hara. Shaz as she was
known, worked at RPAYC for nearly 15 years all up in a
number of capacities, but most members will know her
from her time as Executive Assistant. Sharon succumbed
to an illness she had endured for over five years. Her
fight to hang on as long as possible was typical of her
character and why she was so effective in her role. But
she was also a great friend to all the staff and many of
the members. Shaz was a great friend of mine and was
always a tremendous support to me and I love and miss
her dearly.
At the AGM on the 25 July, we farewelled and thanked
Commodore Ian Audsley as he retired from office. Ian
was on the Board for seven years. One as a director, three
as Vice Commodore and three years as Commodore.
Prior to that Ian was Rear Commodore Yacht Race.
Ian’s dedication and commitment to volunteering
has been unwavering and he was a Commodore who
demonstrated great stewardship for the Club and
leadership and support for the volunteers and staff.
Finally, I again thank the tireless efforts of the
management, staff and volunteers who work together
with so much energy and pride. We are fortunate to have
such dedication and I thank them all for their ongoing
care and commitment.
I look forward to seeing you around your Club and
wish you all happy and safe sailing for the coming season.
SUZANNE DAVIES
GENERAL MANAGER
YAC H T SM A N
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