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COMMODORES REPORT - August 2002 Having been re-elected at the recent AGM, I am into my second tenure as Commodore. Thank you all for your faith in my ability to handle this task. My previous report contained topics covering INSURANCE and the need to have sailing members FINANCIAL at the start of the season. I am repeating those sections of my previous newsletter to emphasise the resolve of the committee. Insurance has become a priority when considering acceptability of competing yachts and Lasers. VYC has taken the lead from the majority of other clubs that refuse entries from any craft that do not have a minimum of $10 million Public Risk cover. For the 2002-2003 season yachts and Lasers will be required to pre-qualify before the first race start with evidence of Cat. 7 compliance, and appropriate insurance cover. New sign-on sheets will be pre-printed with lists of qualified yachts and Lasers. Along with the insurance eligibility and safety, all craft and skippers will be required to be financial before the first race. During the winter it is planned to fit new lock cylinders and issue new keys to all full members. Yacht skippers will be required to ensure that their crew's are financial as well. Everyone enjoys occasions such as Commodores Cocktails" at season start and conclusion. These functions cannot be underwritten out of thin air. Boat Crew personnel problems will not be resolved until we either recruit permanent volunteers or develop a roster of members to assist Bunny and John on the starters boat, or drive the chase boat. Competition during the season has been keener than ever amongst the yachts and the Laser membership continues to swell. It is usual to expect at least 12 to 14 starters in the yacht fleet on normal race days and several more on Championship Heat days. The Doug Cameron Memorial Day was an overwhelming success, with a staggered start, longer courses for the faster yachts, and arbitrary penalties set by the handicapper. The novelty prizes were well accepted and we hope they were all put to good use! This end-of-season novelty race will hopefully become a regular fixture. Several suggestions have been received to vary the regular courses along similar lines to the Doug Cameron day concept. All constructive .suggestions will be considered. The Winter Series has also attracted more than the usual two or three entries. Unfortunately the weather has not been kindly, necessitating several postponements. Club hiring's have been a steady source of income and I extend my thanks to Dave Arnold for handling this tedious and often thankless task. The need to keep the club attractive to potential bookings raises the ever-present need to consider refurbishment and redecorating of the area. Upcoming expenditure includes new ceiling, painting internally, lighting, and the upgrading of tables and chairs. During the year a commercial dishwasher was installed and is a great success. The inability to maintain security over a stock of cutlery and kitchen utensils is an ongoing problem which will be addressed by the committee in the coming months. Roone Richardson, the club's Honorary Solicitor, in conjunction with David Arnold is preparing a letting agreement for the casual lettings of the clubroom. The OZKAYAK application to run a kayak tour business adjacent to the club has been rejected and their allocated location is further north where there will be no interference with the club's activities. Working Bees are a vital facet of clubs similar to ours. A working bee is being organised and we urge all members to become involved in contributing a few precious hours to assist in maintaining this wonderful club. Bob Hearn |
Newsletters
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YACHT REPORT Well, the season is finally over, and what a great season for the yachts! The fleet is going from strength to strength with fifteen regular starters and the promise of more craft this coming season. Prize night was a great success, and results were shared across the fleet, with the two major trophies going to the largest and smallest craft in the fleet. A testament to the handicapper! Yandoo took out the handicap point score, while Peace & Quiet captured the club championship. Craig Atkinson is to be acclaimed for his acceptance speech. Next season's fleet will be swelled by the addition of Twilight Zone, Bob Hearn's new cruising yacht, Harold Estrela's Stealaway and hopefully Bob De Coster will be a regular starter in Yeoman IV. Luckily, April Showers will remain in the fleet with it' new owner, Don Winnacott (ex-Sugee) at the helm. Scott Ryrie is rumoured to have sold Asterix and is on the lookout for something quicker than an 11 metre one-design. Bob Fielding recently took delivery of a very pretty 5.5 metre called Carabella, a sister ship to Barragoola (almost). It makes one wonder where all the new crews are to be sourced. With a bigger fleet, and the starts being more competitive, we are considering fitting larger fenders to the starters boat, with an on-board supply of Valium and mood music. Disappointing was the lack of regular appearances by Kariba and Peppercorn. Peter Anderson injured his back, while overdoing it with his personal trainer (Compo claim ?) and Dave Green offered no excuse! When asked to explain his lacklustre season, the skipper of Kapala offered the, weak excuse of a deep and meaningful involvement with the Watto Bay bar staff hindering his concentration, causing two mid-season mutinies. Both lngrid O'Brien and Chrissy De Coster jumped ship on separate occasions and tried to swim ashore. Everyone, remember the Winter Series sailed on the last Saturday of each month, starting at 1.00 pm, with a sausage sizzle at 11.30 am. Laser skippers are acceptable crew if you are short handed, but only on the mainsail. Best wishes to all for next season. Doug Cameron |
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Safety Inspections David Oe Coster is available to do Cat 7 Safety Inspections
on Saturday 29 September and Saturday Check includes service dates on fire extinguishers It is mandatory for all yachts to hold a Cat 7 Certificate prior to racing. It is also mandatory to have the minimum $10 million Public Risk insurance policy. |
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Working Bee - 21 and 22 September All members are encouraged to come and help on either or both weekend days. This is our club, we all use it, and we all need to help look after it. It would be nice to see some new faces amongst the usual regulars. We are considering financial contributions from those who don't show. Remember, many hands make light work! |
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Club Locks to Be Changed The Club locks will be changed prior to the start of
the season. Membership fees must be paid in full before new key is supplied.
Old keys must be handed in - failure to do so will result in the member
having to pay $50 for new keys. |
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Open Day Due to the increasing number of yachts expected to race this season, and to encourage more Laser sailors to join the fleet, the Club will host an Open Day on Saturday 26 October after racing. The Open Day will be published on sailing websites and in some sailing magazines. The hope is to attract new members to fill crew positions, join our Laser fleet and co-opt volunteers for start/rescue boat duties. This is a Club Championship race day and we encourage all members to stay on for the B.B.Q. and make attendees feel welcome and wanted. New Member A warm welcome to our newest member, Stephen Kaspura. Please make yourself known to our members and join in our activities. Bar Accounts A handful of members (who shall remain nameless at this stage), seem to be under the impression that they can imbibe in the very reasonably priced drinks available to them, without paying their accounts for months on end. Whilst the Club is happy to provide a service, it is not a registered charity, so we ask all members to make a "New Season's resolution" and keep their accounts up-to-date. A limit of $50.00 "over the limit" is being considered should things not improve. Leaving the Club When leaving the Club after racing, please dispose of bottles, glasses and rubbish. Contrary to public perception, there is no paid cleaner on race days, leaving the usual four or five to clean up after everybody. If you are last to leave the Club, please make sure all fridges, cupboards and doors are locked, and the lights turned out. Club Website Vaucluse Yacht Club now has its official website up and running at www.vaucluseyachtclub.com.au. Marinato Trophy Vince Marinato recently told me that his father had donated a trophy to the Club many years ago. He is wondering what happened to the Trophy, as he is interested in resurrecting it for the Club to use for whatever race we see fit. Does anyone know what happened to this Trophy'? |
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| Coming Events
Stay on for drinks and finger food after the first race of the season. This is a VYC tradition, with the Commodore "shouting" drinks after racing. All members welcome. Plans are underfoot to hold a couple of functions throughout the season, and one idea is for a Members Reunion. A reunion was held a few years back and a number of members have suggested it was such a success, and the time was ripe for another one. We only have to decide when, and then start contacting as many old members as we can. Stay tuned. |
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2004 Vaucluse Yacht Club Limited ACN 002 059 243. All rights reserved.
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