“A light touch on the helm”
The racing was exciting, the weather glorious and the harbour and Mosman Bay sparkled like diamonds. What a fantastic gathering the Winter Series crews had back at the club after race 3. To round it off, celebrate and debrief, a plate of party pies and a jug of “dark and stormy” – a perfect day!
Over the last 21 years of sailing Cherub, I have come to recognise that in gentle winds she hardly needs a hand on the tiller. No wonder really, as over the last 78 years she has been fussed over, rebuilt, tuned up and steered by many of Sydney’s best shipwrights, designers, riggers, sailmakers and racing yachtsman. Cherub has evolved over time due to the combined efforts of enthusiastic experts with one purpose in mind – to make her the best she can be. Similarly, the Amateurs has developed with generations of passionate sailors working together towards one goal – to make our sailing club simply the best. Well done all and thank you!
Whilst I have steered with a light hand, your directors have worked hard, giving the club great service over the past three years. They are diligent, at times forthright, and committed to making the club safe and sound. They have introduced necessary changes, managed the finances, and maintained the fabric and spirit of the club. To all of you and in particular those moving on after August I offer the sincere thanks of the entire membership for your efforts. For myself I would add how proud I am of our time together, what you have taught me and how thankful I am for your support.
My highest praise and thanks go to the “engine room” of the club – two groups that deliver its driving force. Our staff; Sophie, Karen, Rod and the slipway men, Peter and Jim. The second group our volunteers; the starters, duty officers, tender drivers, and in particular the “Salvage Crew”. In all my interactions with the other sailing clubs of Sydney harbour the most frequent question asked about the Amateurs is – “How do you do it?” The answer seems obvious – we love doing everything we can to make the club and our sailing the best they can be.
A last round of thanks goes to my family who have grown up around the club. Sarah has provided a necessary foil to my questions, excesses and doubts. In her own contribution to the club of over seven years, she setup and led the Water Women’s group, infusing the club with fun, energy and goodwill. Families and friends working together is yet another intrinsic strand that makes the club a uniquely, happy place. In years gone by we were thought of as a Men’s shed – now I think we can argue that we are a Person’s Shed!
As I began my term as Commodore I looked to C.S. Forester’s stories of Horatio Hornblower for insight on how to respond to the call of duty and deal with responsibility. As a young officer it was through quick personal action that Horatio managed to save the day. Several years later, Hornblower has risen through the ranks to become a Commodore where he sees the world and those around him with different eyes. He cannot rush in as he would have done as a younger man, he realises that his new role is to support each and every one of his crew, for them to take responsibility for the success of the endeavour.
“irresponsibility was something which, in the very nature of things, could not co-exist with independence.” Commodore Hornblower
In passing the helm to the next Commodore and group of directors I feel secure in the knowledge that the people who have built our club over many years will continue to emerge, to respond to the call and take responsibility for the “Amateurs” and ensure its success.
Peter Scott
Commodore 2023-26
