Nick, who passed away in January 2023, has a permanent place in Amateurs history as the man who secured the current Mosman Bay clubhouse site and buildings.

As the club’s Honorary Solicitor from the early 1960s he used his connections as a lawyer and sailor to navigate the maze of regulatory obstacles that had to be overcome before the purchase could be completed.

Nick, who’d joined the SASC in 1958, was also its 25th Commodore (1964-66).

An accomplished sailor, he competed in various keelboat classes before buying Lolita (A156), the sturdy timber offshore sloop that would come to define his yachting personality.

There can be few relationships between a man and his boat that have endured for so long. Nor that between Nick and his devoted crew, with son Gary continuing his father’s legacy at the helm of Lolita.

Serving as the club’s Honorary Solicitor well into his 90s, Nick always gave robust, straightforward advice, and tenaciously fought for the SASC’s rights and honour.

Here are some of his sailing and clubhouse memories.