I would like to take this opportunity to introduce a new member to our club — just launched on Sunday 1 December. A brand new, freshly caulked, Ranger-class yacht called Volunteer, with sail number A6. Five years in the making and the pride of Ian and Trish Smith with plenty of barracking from the sidelines from Bill Gale. Volunteer is a testament to a life spent building beautiful wooden boats and the design of the Rangers themselves. Please offer them three cheers as you pass by.
Whilst schmoozing with officers from other sailing clubs the question most often asked of me, in a tone conveying unbridled jealousy is “Where do you Amateurs get all your volunteers from?” It never fails to remind me what a special place we hold within the sailing community and the world beyond. “You mean you go in and give a day’s work and they don’t even pay you — you’re joking!” Well, it’s true, it is what our club is built upon and what holds it together, and just because you don’t receive money doesn’t mean you aren’t getting paid or valued.
So thank you to all our volunteers, especially everyone who put in their time and passion into Gaffers Day (70–80 of us). It was a challenging forecast for the day, with a South Easterly wind and the long fetch into Mosman Bay safety was a prime consideration. We honoured our recently departed, we celebrated in dress and deed, we were seen with all flags flying at our very best!
There was a wonderful display of boat handling skills on Gaffers Day with our slipway staff, tender drivers and dock master’s volunteers, shunting, cajoling and caressing boats and crews into the dock and surrounding moorings.
We would like to see more members take up the opportunity to become volunteer drivers of the tenders and Kareela. If you have a boat licence we can train you straight away, if you would like a boat licence, we can support you there too! Just email the office to let them know you are interested; it takes a little time to get the skills up but is immensely satisfying and very much appreciated by your fellow members.
At the prize giving after each race we traditionally thank the starter’s team, a practise that I can imagine goes back to the original founding members of the Club. It displays conduct which becomes us, that we appreciate the efforts of those who help us to enjoy our racing. At times it feels a bit anachronistic, and yet at other times it feels fresh and appropriate.
The office staff and race secretary aren’t as visibly connected to our enjoyment — they demand that we commit to things, register and make payments. The slipway and maintenance crew and the tender drivers will at times frustrate you as they do things the way they need to be done. However, they are all as essential to our sailing as the starter’s group. They all deserve our respect and appreciation, so just let them know occasionally and say thank you! Lastly, our fellow competitors, our archrivals, those who provide the heat of battle, the frustration and glory of a successful day on the harbour. Let them also know how much you appreciate their efforts, especially when they beat you! The tradition handed down from our forebears — three cheers offered, and three cheers replied.
Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year
Peter Scott
Commodore
