From the Commodore
Graham Hindley
G'Day Members
We’ve now been operating out of our new facility for just over three months, and with each week that passes, things are continuing to improve. It’s been fantastic to see so many social functions already booked, so please keep an eye on flyers and emails for what’s coming up.
That said, we are still working through a few teething issues. We appreciate your patience during this period and we ask that member continues to show understanding and support as we fine-tune operations. Everyone is working hard behind the scenes to ensure the Club delivers the experience we all expect and deserve.
Membership continues to grow strongly and we now have a waiting list in place. This is being carefully managed to ensure we maintain a high standard of experience and avoid overcrowding. All sections have now settled in well and all with busy schedules keeping Rear Commodores on their toes. Recent information sessions have also been a great success, helping newer members connect with different sections and get involved.
We’re also pleased to have secured six Gold Level corporate sponsors. You’ll start to see their signage around the Club please support them where you can, as they are supporting us.
In the kitchen we now have a stable and capable team in place. You’ll start to see increased food availability including a limited Tuesday night menu, while continuing to cater for our Darts teams. Our midweek specials have been very popular, along with recent menu updates to reflect the changing seasons. We’re also exploring the introduction of brunch-style offerings and the return of bar snacks on selected days.
There is still significant construction happening around us but progress is being made. Georgiou is expected to complete the surrounding ground works around July after which development of the Marina complex will commence. We are also beginning discussions with DTMI regarding pens and seabed leases and will keep members informed as more details become available.
Improvements to the hardstand are expected to be finalised in April, including permanent power, resurfacing, and updated bay markings. Further details will be shared once confirmed.
Many members have asked about the return of memorabilia from the old Club. While we’re just as eager to see this displayed, we’ve been advised by the City of Joondalup that this cannot occur until the end of the Defects Liability Period in December
2026. In the meantime, we’ll look to make better use of our digital screens to celebrate the Club’s history.
As always I need to finish off by asking all members to be respectful to staff, fellow members and the Club itself with respect. Everyone deserves to enjoy their time here in a positive environment. Please also remember that as a licensed venue, we must comply with liquor licensing laws this includes ensuring that all children are supervised by a responsible adult at all times.
Thay is all from me for now, so as the cooler months approach please keep warm and stay safe if you are in, on or under the water.
Graham Hindley Commodore
2026 Management Committee
PATRON
Phil Gallagher
TRUSTEES
Gary Bell, Phil Gallagher and Corrie Coetzee
FLAG OFFICERS
Commodore | Graham Hindley commodore@orssc.asn.au
Vice Commodore | Francis McKeown Vice1@orssc.asn.au Laurie Campbell Vice2@orssc.asn.au
Hon. Secretary | Sheila Hearson secretary@orssc.asn.au
Hon. Treasurer | Jonathan Saddi treasurer@orssc.asn.au
REAR COMMODORES
Angling | Bruce Bennett angling@orssc.asn.au
Diving | Peter Cresswell diving@orssc.asn.au
Power Boating | Rick Green powerboat@orssc.asn.au
Sailing | Ken Wood sailing@orssc.asn.au
MANAGEMENT
Club Manager | Melissa Robertson
Phone/Fax | 9401 8800
Email | manager@orssc.asn.au
Bar Manager | Georgina Badman
Phone | 0404 236 030
Email | barmanager@orssc.asn.au
Marketing & Events Manager | Melissa Robertson
Phone/Fax | 9401 8800
Email | marketingmanager@orssc.asn.au
FUNCTION & EVENTS
Functions Coordinator | Chelsea Watson
Phone | 9401 8800
Email | functions@orssc.asn.au
OFFICE
Office Administrators | Lynda Crosswell & Wendy Lenehan
Phone/Fax | 9401 8800
Email | office@orssc.asn.au
Website | www.orssc.asn.au
Mailing Address | PO Box 59, Hillarys, WA 6923
Office hours | Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Whitfords Sea Rescue Tower
Phone | 9401 3757
Mailing Address | PO Box 337, Hillarys, WA 6923
Summer/ AutumnSessions
Seasonal Opening Hours
DAYS BAR GALLEY
Monday closed closed
Tuesday 12pm - 10.30pm 6pm - 8:45pm
Wednesday 12pm - 10:30pm 5pm - 8pm
Thursday 12pm - 10:30pm 5pm - 8pm
Friday 11:30am - 10:30pm 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 8pm
Saturday 11:30am - 10:30pm 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 8pm
Sunday 12pm - 10:30pm 12pm - 7pm
Public Holidays (unless otherwise advised) 2pm - 7pm closed
*Bookings are essential for the Galley in the hall on Fridays 6pm-8pm.
* The above closing times are a guide only. If there is a Function on, or a significant amount of Members present, the Bar will stay open.
Entertainment
The club hosts live music and entertainment every week on Fridays from 7pm to 10pm and Sundays from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
April 2026
Good Friday FRIDAY 3 Easter Saturday SATURDAY 4 Mike Anagno SUNDAY 5
Easter Monday MONDAY 6
Henry Clarke FRIDAY 10
Julian Anderson SUNDAY 12 Brenton Fosdike FRIDAY 17 Gray
May 2026
Allan Webb
19
24
3 Steve Dix FRIDAY 8 Alex Hardy & Mother's Day SUNDAY 10
Replay Duo FRIDAY 15
Richard Leach SUNDAY 17
Gray Sanders FRIDAY 22
Tammy Tucson SUNDAY 24
Barry Gee FRIDAY 29
Robbie Williams SATURDAY 30
Jay Weston SUNDAY 31
June 2026
WA Day Long weekend MONDAY 1
Kevin Conway FRIDAY 5
Mike Anagno SUNDAY 7
Sugar Duo FRIDAY 12
Neil Adams SUNDAY 14 Steve Dix FRIDAY 19 Donny Goodman SUNDAY 21
Brenton Fosdike FRIDAY 26
Adam & Selina Show SATURDAY 27
Gray Sanders SUNDAY 28
The Angling Report
Boat Fishing –February 2026
Glen Weymouth
So this comp was held on Valentines Day. Nothing more romantic than waking up to the alarm going off at 4pm to be greeted by your fellow deckie for a day on water fishing. We had a very good forecast for the Saturday and man did the weather play the game. I think it was a little to good as the sun was cooking with no breeze around. The decent forecast meant for a very good turn out. We had 15 boats with 33 signing on for the day.
So with the demersals still a "no go" everyone is finding more time to fish inside spots for a longer period. This is paying dividends as we are seeing just as many species being weighed as we did during the demersal open season!
Out in the bay and having that many boats it is very easy to get gauge on where the inshore bread and butter species are biting.
We parked up amongst 4 boats at wreck rock to see Mitchel Bell catch Gardie rite along side of us. Dan Mallon catch beast mode Bulls Eye - pending club record! On the other side of him was Terry Bell pulling in Snook on white bait.
After the bite died down we shot back North to find the rest of the fleet all within "swinging a cat" distance lined up from Burns Rocks into the beach. There was no hiding from any one on this day! Plenty of Blue Mackerel, Whiting, Yellow tail and Herring to keep everyone interested that is for sure. Trolling was on and we had more Bonito weighed for this comp than what I have seen in a long time. Plenty of small Blue Fin Tuna and Sally Gauci monster at 553gram took the chocolates in that division. Some bigger King George starting to pop, Tony O'Sullivans 840gram model was the pick out of that category. Now one of my favorite bait fish to catch, the overpopulated Sargent Baker showed up in pretty much everyone's bag! Young Harvey Thomson had belter of specimen pulling the scales down 1.185kg!
Into the weigh in and starting with the hotly contested mini juniors.
In third was Ashton Marsden with 3 species, 2 heaviest, 1.9kg and 45.8 points. Second was Hayden Brown with 6 species, 32 heaviest, 1.897kg and 75.8 points. Just edging his mate out in first was Harvey Thompson with 6 species, 4 heaviest, 2.325kg and 88.6 points.
We had the one Junior this comp. Cruze Marsden had a nice Sambo in his bag of 2 species, 2 heaviest, 6.6kg and 45.2 points.
We had a few Vets get day release for Valentines and let loose. In third was my second favorite vet Graham Cole with 3 species, 1.354kg and 32.7 points. In second was terry bell with 6 species, 4 heaviest, 2.974kg and 89.9 points. In first position and someone we have not seen on the podium in a long time was Phil Pollard. Phil had a cracking bag with 11 species, 9 heaviest, 14.115kg and 192.2 points. Solid bag mate.
Onto the ladies and we had some new faces fishing with there Valentines for the day - so romantic. Getting into a couple of fish and more than likely out fishing her lesser half was Hellen Graves. Onto the podium finishes. Third in the ladies was Sally Gaucci with 6 species, 2 heaviest, 2.158kg and 76.3 points. In second and another new face to be fishing in the boats, was Jackie Davitt. Just like Hellen, Jackie is also the better half in her marriage by a long shot. Jack ended up with 6 species, 3 heaviest, 2.12kg and 82.2 points- smashed hubby. In first position was Belinda Mallon. Bell was very vocal first up in the morning, must have been elated with joy from Dans massive Bulls Eye or lack of no Flowers/Chocolates possibly. With 9 species, 4 heaviest, 5.265kg and 124.5 points was a well deserved win.
Onto the Men with some very close results. In second was Tony O with 8 species, 2 heaviest, 12.46kg and 116.9 points.
In second only just was Chuckie with 10 species, 4 heaviest, 13.6kg and 151.2 points. In first and it has been a while since seeing him up here was Joe W. Joe had a mint bag of fish with 11 species, 5 heaviest, 7.881kg and 155.8 points. Sick bag of fish mate. We had our Sausage Sizzle bag on for this comp and it has been long missed. Thanks to terry for the BBQ, Scottie for organising the food and Sal for chef duties. Cheers to the lads helping with the weigh in, Scotty, Terry and Mitch.
Mumma Maree for her photos!
Boat Fishing Competition Results
Heaviest Species Winners & Sponsors
Our next Boat comp is 7th March with the follow on day if needed on the 8th.
Until then there is plenty of fishing to be done. Pelagics are firing up on our door step, Dollies at the fads, Marlin behind them and King George on the chew in the 30's.
Buckets ou t
Glen Weymouth
Boat Fishing Captain
The Angling Report (continued)
Beach Fishing –December 2025
Daniel Bell
The December comp kicked off much like the previous few, with what looked like a fairly average weather forecast. This time, however, it was mainly that classic summer pattern of strong Easterlies in the morning, swinging around to strong Southerlies in the afternoon.
That said, there weren’t too many complaints about the weather over the weekend, and although nothing spectacular was weighed in, there were some very respectable bags of fish caught by the 15 members who gave it a crack.
One point of difference this month was the super-low morning tides, which myself and a few others took advantage of by fishing both local and not-so-local reefs. This produced a few nice reef-hole species and added a slightly different dimension to the comp.
Once again, we only had two mini juniors fishing the comp. Young Taj fished locally this time and managed to land one fish, which put him into second place. Crew took out the chocolates this month with a nice mixed bag of Swan River and reef-hole fish.
We saw three ladies battle it out this month. Mother Maree had a quick local session and landed a wrasse, which secured her third place. Helen Brownfield caught a few nice fish at her usual haunts and finished firmly in second place. Bronny took out first place after taking a different approach and heading south, resulting in all her fish being the heaviest. This included a ripper KG Whiting of nearly 400g.
The Vets were, as always, was hotly contested. Vince Cox put together a good bag and finished in third place. Clive, as usual, showed great consistency and placed second. Terry started in the Swan River and worked his way North, producing a very strong bag of species including a catch-
and-release Shovel Nose of 38.50kg, which I’m sure was a bit of a backbreaker for the old boy!
In the men’s division, Rob Yates fished well and finished in third place. The real battle, however, was between the top two, with both posting very strong scores. Little Joe unfortunately played bridesmaid this time, while Mitch Bell fished extremely well again and took out the win. It’s great to see Mitch back fishing comps this season - I dare say he’ll be a very strong contender for the rest of the year.
A few other highlights from the comp were the number of KG Whiting caught, great to see (almost everyone who caught them reported multiple fish) and they came from a wide range of locations. Mitch landed a very nice Tailor of 1.767kg, which is a great fish for summer and Crew Bell weighed in a lovely Tarwhine of 424g.
Looking Ahead Something worth noting is the number of members now fishing the rivers over the summer period. It’s great to see everyone diversifying, and because of this we’re looking to introduce an estuary competition next summer. This will be separate from both the boat and beach seasons, allowing members to give it a proper crack without affecting their main scores. More details will follow around the middle of the year.
That’s enough from me - our next competition is on 17–18th January, and it will be our first beach weigh-in held at the new club. Let’s hope we get some big numbers for that one!
Also a little side note if you’re still reading this far, the ‘Mystery Fish’ prize has jackpotted to $630, well and truly the most it has ever been, someone at some point is set to take home a very nice little bonus.
Cheers
Daniel Bell
Beach Fishing Captain
The Angling Report (continued)
Beach Fishing –January 2026
Daniel Bell
Month to month, it seems I start these reports the same, but once again we had an average forecast on the horizon, which made those thinking of venturing further re-think their plans. That being said, the lack of swell and low tides in the morning at least gave me some hope that not everywhere would be weed stacked high. Most found that was somewhat the case.
Saturday started windy but never really picked up any further, and Sunday was actually quite a nice day. Weed was somewhat of an issue, but with the low swell, finding somewhere to fish was not impossible. All that aside, the 22 anglers that weighed in did manage to find some very nice summer fish, and some even better species counts!
Starting, as always, with our Mini Juniors: Taj Davis fished hard and managed to bag himself four species for a healthy total of 55 points and second place. Meanwhile, Crew Bell was lucky enough to get five species for the weekend, which was enough to hold onto first place.
We also saw Cruse Marsden fish the Juniors, which was great to see. His six-species bag, while the only Junior bag weighed in, was still a great effort. I hope to see you in a few more comps again this season, mate.
Onto the ladies… There were four fish weighed in this month. Sally Gauci had a crack down South with her family and landed in third place. Bronny was knocked off her throne this month and finished as our runner-up. But the lady of the match was Helen Brownfield. Although she had fewer species than Bronny, she had more heaviest
LUCKY COMPETITOR PRIZE
fish, and that was enough to take out the win on the day!
The Vets! My god can these old buggers fish! Every Vet that weighed in had over seven species, and would you believe a nine-species bag didn’t even make the podium. Madness! Clive Powell and Vince Cox were very close, with Clive eventually taking third place. Vince finally managed to crack the magic ten species and claimed himself second place!
But the talk of the weigh-in was Ricko. After a few months off, he was back and in fine form! Fourteen species for Ricko this month just proves how bloody good this man is at finding fish. Well done, mate! I hope this is just a taste of what is to come for the rest of the season.
Lastly, the men’s division. Again, some great bags, and in fact all the top three had ten-species bags. Mitch Bell, after a couple of wins over the last few comps, found himself in third place. The everconsistent Joe Wettinger was firmly in second, and myself (Daniel Bell) was lucky enough to get the win.
Now let’s move onto some standout fish. Clive Powell had one of the biggest Black Bream I’ve ever seen come from the Moore River at 37cm and 770g. He also landed a huge Trumpeter of 486g.
Clive’s partner in crime, Joe Wettinger, had the only Wobby of the comp at 98cm, along with an absolute cracker of a Flathead that came in at 1.05kg. Myself, I christened my new beach rod with a Shovelnose of 27.6kg, while Bruce Bennett found himself a very nice Flounder that went 273g, and Ricko had a small Snapper weighing 1.588kg.
It was also great to see the use of the catch and release section continuing to build. I’m hoping to expand on this for next season with a couple of changes.
Glen Weymouth
Well, that’s about all from me. As always, thank you to everyone who attended and helped out. Our next comp is our South-away competition on the 28th of February to the 1st of March. Again this year it will be held at Rest Point Caravan Park in Walpole, with boundaries from Windy Harbour to West Cape Howe.
Fishing Competition Results
Heaviest Species Winners & Sponsors
It’s always great to get away, and last year’s event was a ripper, so I hope to see plenty of you attend this one.
Cheers
Daniel Bell
The Sailing Report
March 2026
Ken Wood
“If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”
Yogi Berra
“I didn’t fail the test. I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.”
Benjamin Franklin
I am writing this report today, 18th March, for the next issue of the Tide magazine in April, and thought I’d lead with a couple of quotes that are a light commentary on our efforts to maintain the Sailing Section activities since relocating to the new facilities. Overcoming the obstacles meant implementing a plan, watching the outcomes, and adapting changes that will bring us closer to our goal:
Safe, fair and easily managed sailing competitions.
An active calendar of social events.
A vibrant and growing Section.
SAILING COMPETITIONS
ORSSC Sailing has been able to maintain its calendar of sailing races in spite of a piecemeal race management set-up. Handheld radio starts, temporary cameras on the breakwater, and extraordinary dedication from Section volunteers enabled us to complete the first four races of the Summer Series. We have been able to get six to eight boats out on the water for each of these races, as well as competing in the North Coast Series at Hillarys Yacht Club and the Windrush 14 State Championships in Geographe Bay. In the meantime we have been progressing toward our goal of having a working remote race management system in April.
This system will provide volunteers the means to safely and effectively control racing from inside the clubhouse. The three main components are:
A 25 watt VHF base station to check the racers’ radios and maintain contact with the race fleet. The radio is installed and a portable antenna is in use.
A 6 meter tall centre-hinged start/finish pole located on the breakwater, containing a video camera, start lights, solar panel and battery. The pole has been delivered to the ORSSC hardstand and presently we are awaiting permission form DevWA to erect it on the breakwater, after which we will install the equipment.
A race management console containing a computer, video monitors, and equipment controls. The console will enable volunteers to review video, monitor the race, and calculate results. The console has been purchased and partially outfitted with equipment.
SOCIALLY SAILING (please note silly tongue in cheek)
There are three main activities when the Sailing Section engages in communication and social discourse, always done with smiles and good humour (we believe).
Sail racing – an ORSSC race event requires several actions that need communication.
- The Sailing Captain conveys news of upcoming races via email, using a mailing list of those that have (or have indicated) their wish to participate (there are no take-backs).
- Skippers instruct the crew (while of course avoiding a raised voice and bad words). For the crew, sharing a sail provides an opportunity to critique the skipper and his boat, while providing the prospect of new friendships.
- Race control volunteers politely perform the radio checks and calls, while reminiscing about the days in the old Start Box over a cup of tea.
Presentations – After every race skippers, crew and start box volunteers gather at the club to share stories, learn the results and applaud the winners. It’s also an opportunity to learn of upcoming events and issues related to sailing and the club. Comments regarding club management are taken seriously by the Rear Commodore (but sometimes forgotten).
Dine-Ins – Held on the first Friday of every month, this is one of the longest running Sail Section activities. Sailors come together for a libation and a meal, while sharing their views of the Section, the Club, and the world in general. It’s also an opportunity to get the latest news (and possibly gossip) on members who aren’t there. (note silly tongue removed from cheek)
GROWING SAILING
One of the challenges of relocation was to maintain and grow the Sailing Section while dealing with all the changes. Recognising the new club presents an opportunity, the Section has initiated actions to engage with potential sailors both in and out of the club. The Information Day held on 21st Feb was well attended, with fourteen current and prospective members indicating their interest in sailing. It’s important to note that every ORSSC member is entitled (and encouraged) to participate in sailing. Meanwhile the Sailing Section continues to reach out to other sailing clubs to develop future and current relationships, including Hillarys Yacht Club, Sun City Yacht Club, Shelly Sailing Club and the Geographe Bay Yacht Club. These clubs present opportunities to increase our participation in competitions, regattas, and junior sailing.
We believe these are the first steps to bring ORSSC Sailing up to and beyond past achievements. It goes without saying that none of it will be possible without the continued support from our members, volunteers and the Club.
Warm regards,
Ken Wood
Rear Commodore, Sailing
The Sailing Report (continued)
Sailing Report
Ken Wood
THE WINDIES ARE BACK!
The “Windies” are Windrush 14’s, a popular 14-foot Australian one-design catamaran initially known as Surfcats. Surfcats were originally designed to surf and have fun at the beach, and in the early days of the club they ventured offshore to the reef areas off the beach at Pinnaroo. The early days of sail racing at ORSSC (then known as Whitfords Sea Sports Club) featured dozens of these versatile little catamarans sailing off Pinnaroo Point. Special events attracted 60 to 70 boats, and while some of these boats were not from the club they were responsible for the growth of regular sailing in the Whitfords Bay area. The inaugural event at Pinnaroo Point held in September 1974 had 10 surf cats, followed by the inaugural Whitfords to Yanchep race in November, with 22 surf cats taking. The club went on to compete successfully in state and national championships, and off the beach catamarans sailed from inside the Ocean Reef Boat Harbour regularly from May 1982. Sadly, over the years the numbers declined, and by 1987 the majority of cat sailors had moved away or switched to trailer sailors.*
However, there has been a resurgence of interest in Windrush 14’s, and recently a group of ORSSC sailors have taken on the challenge of sailing and competing in these legacy craft. There are currently four in the club, and over the last few years they have ventured far and wide to compete in local club races and regattas. Most recently they travelled down to Geographe Bay to compete in the WA State Championships held over two days at the Geographe Bay Yacht Club. Over thirty Windrush 14’s from as far away as Carnarvon and Albany were there, and Ocean Reef was well-represented by PlatyPuss (Paul Phipps), Kayla (Sarah Phipps), Cat Astrophe (Holly Hodkinson) and Rum Rush (Dylan Hess).
The ORSSC’s Sailing Section supports their ongoing effort to bring off-the-beach catamaran sailing back
to Ocean Reef, and the two obvious choices are either in the Ocean Reef harbour, or Pinnaroo Point. Currently the primary obstacles are there is no beach in the harbour, and restricted access and parking at Pinnaroo Point. We hope to engage the community, and address these issues in the coming year with the aim coming to a solution.
Warm regards,
Rear Commodore, Sailing
ORSSC boats on the beach at Geographe Bay
* This information was taken from Ian and Jill Younghusband’s “The History of Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club”, which can be found on the ORSSC website.
View of Geographe Bay Yacht Club
Rum Rush on the way in
Cat Astrophe (with the rainbow sail) chilling between races
The Power Boating Report
March 2026 Report
Rick Green
Hello Members and Enthusiasts!
We’re delighted to share the exciting activities and highlights from the Power Boat Section over the past few months. It’s been a fantastic season filled with community spirit, adventure, and new opportunities.
Australia Day Raft Up. Our annual raft up, this year, was at the Ocean Reef Marina, which was a memorable event with five boats staying over the weekend and some day visitors joining in. The lively atmosphere was enjoying the distant music from the club, creating a perfect backdrop. We had some humorous moments, potential Darwin award moments, including a couple of unplanned sprint swims involving our Commodore and his tender, not once but twice—an entertaining reminder of why we need to know knots. And another boat that would not start, with a diagnosis by a few that there was no power to the starter and resorting to a tow from Marine rescue, the call was made for a tow. After a discussion with the radio operator, it was discovered that the boat needs to be in neutral to start.
Despite the strong and sometimes challenging winds, our season has been a great success. We hosted an open section information day at the club, inviting new members to come along for more information on the various sections. It was a fantastic turnout, welcoming several new members into our vibrant community.
VHF Radio Education Night. Thanks to Bob Jacobs from Whitford’s Sea Rescue, we held an informative night on VHF radio procedures. Attendees learned how to log on and off, and Bob gave a demonstration on how radio
waves work. He also offered to run a radio handling course for members, which is a valuable skill for all powerboaters.
Safety and Regulations Update: Kim Pitts from the Department of Transport provided the latest safety requirements for boating and jet skis. The session was well-received by over 70 attendees, many of whom appreciated the valuable updates.
February River Run: Our first Powerboat run of the year took us to the Swan River, with seven boats and 27 people participating. Starting at Matilda Bay, we enjoyed a coffee break at Elizabeth Key, then we headed down the river for a BBQ lunch at Peppermint Grove on the beach. Despite some wind, everyone had a fantastic time on the water. It was also lovely to see that a few members had driven down to join in on the fun.
Late February Weekend at Point Perron. Our members enjoyed a long weekend getaway at Point Perron, with families diving, fishing, swimming, and relaxing on the beach. The weekend concluded with a communal BBQ and desserts supplied by both the Dive and Powerboat Sections.
Upcoming Adventures: We’re looking forward to our trip from 27-29 March to Dunsborough’s Legacy Camp. Past trips to the Legacy camp have included diving on the Swan wreck and exploring local wineries—this trip promises to be just as exciting!
We’re excited to announce the launch of a new Jet Ski Section under the Power Boat umbrella! With a new sponsor from Sea Do WA and fresh members joining with their jet skis, we’re planning upcoming events and activities. If you’re interested in being part of this new section, please contact Rick, our Rear Commodore. Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We look forward to many more adventures on the water!
Safe boating,
Rick Green
Rear Commodore, Power Boating
The Diving Report
Q2 Report
Peter Cresswell
DIVE, DISCOVER, REPEAT: The Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club Dive Section Making Waves This Quarter
If saltwater could talk, it would be telling tales about the unstoppable momentum of the Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club Dive Section — a crew that has grown not only in numbers, but also in heart, energy, and pure enthusiasm for the ocean. Every week the dive section buzzes with activity. Meetings are filled with fresh ideas and lively contributions, while Friday night dine ins consistently draw between thirty and fifty regulars who happily settle in for a night of food, conversation, and camaraderie. It has become the kind of environment where newcomers are greeted like long lost friends, experienced divers eagerly share their stories and expertise, and everyone — no matter their skill level — is embraced, encouraged, and celebrated. The water might be cool, but the community is constantly warm.
Highlights
• Section Information Day
• Point Peron Weekend
• Advance Open Water Course
• Cray Day Competition
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Busselton Weekend: 27–29 March
International Dive – Red Sea: 2–13 April
Bocce Competition: May
End Of Season River Cruise: July
Past Events (January-March)
PAST EVENTS: A SEASON OF NON STOP ACTION (EXPANDED EDITION)
The quarter launched with a burst of energy during the Section Information Afternoon on 22 February — an event that transformed the club’s grassy outdoor space into a vibrant, living SCUBA showcase. The area was dotted with everything from vintage regulators and classic dive masks to sleek modern gear boasting the latest technology. Curious visitors drifted from table to table, pausing to ask questions, swap stories, and even marvel at equipment they hadn’t seen since their earliest days underwater. Some stayed only briefly; others lingered, captivated by friendly conversations and the sense of community buzzing through the air. By the end of the afternoon, a wave of excitement had passed through the crowd, with many visitors eagerly signing up for try dives or refresher courses. The overwhelming response made it clear: the call of the ocean was echoing loudly, and plenty of new faces were keen to answer it.
That momentum rolled straight into the Point Peron long weekend from 27 February to 2 March — a true highlight of the season. With sixty members filling the Seaside Camp at Mangles Bay to capacity, the atmosphere felt more like a seaside festival than a regular dive trip. Early arrivals wasted no time, donning their gear on Friday afternoon to take advantage of pristine conditions at Point Peron before the winds picked up later in the weekend. Their enthusiasm set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday brought a shift in conditions that nudged the group toward shore diving, but if anything, this only heightened the adventure. Divers descended on Ammo Jetty, a site that rewarded them with clear water, stable conditions, and a flurry of sea life that delighted even the most seasoned divers. Sunday’s journey to the Wreck Trail delivered flawless weather and warm waters, though visibility kept divers alert and engaged, adding a touch of challenge that made the experience all the more memorable.
Yet the magic of the weekend extended well beyond the diving. Between cylinders and tides, members filled their days with crabbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and slow, sun drenched strolls along the beach just metres from camp. Afternoons naturally drifted toward the welcoming ambience of the Mangles Bay Fishing Club, where cold drinks, fresh breezes, and bay views shaped the perfect post dive unwind. As the sun dipped on
Saturday evening, the legendary Dive Section BBQ roared to life. The aroma of grilling food mingled with laughter as members settled in for a night of hearty meals, lively stories, and homemade desserts that vanished almost as quickly as they appeared. Long after darkness settled across the bay, the energy remained high, fueled by good company and the unmistakable feeling of a community deeply connected by shared adventure.
The Diving Report (continued)
Q2 Report
Peter Cresswell
The excitement didn’t slow down in March. On the weekend of the 7th and 8th, three divers took on the challenge of the Advanced Open Water Course under the expert guidance of Commodore Graham Hindley. Across five dives in two days, they tested new skills, refined old ones, and pushed their confidence to new depths. By the end of the course, all three emerged successful, proudly earning their certification and unlocking the ability to explore waters down to thirty metres — a milestone embraced with well deserved celebration.
The pace climbed again with the highly anticipated Cray Day Competition on 14 and 15 March — an annual rivalry between MAAC, Hillarys Yacht Club, and ORSSC that always brings out the best in friendly competition. With twenty divers operating across five boats and racking up thirty seven dives for the weekend, the team put in an exceptional effort. Their hard work paid off handsomely: more than sixty kilograms of crayfish were hauled aboard, with a total catch of eighty four crays securing ORSSC equal second place with Hillarys. They finished just behind MAAC,
who claimed victory with 101 crays. Among the standout performers was Dave Baronet, whose impressive 9.575 kilogram bag and 1.968 kilogram heaviest cray earned him top honours. Strong contributions from Jordie and Tony, weighing in at 6.728 and 6.346 kilograms respectively, rounded out a powerful showing. After the final weigh in, the team gathered at Hillarys Yacht Club to enjoy a well earned crayfish feast prepared by the kitchen — though many divers proudly carried extra catch home to savour later. The event unfolded seamlessly from start to finish, and the buzz of excitement has already begun building as ORSSC prepares to host the competition next year.
The Busselton Weekend from 27 to 29 March promises an inviting blend of social connection and spectacular diving. Hosted by the Power Boat Section at Legacy Camp, the event will feature a relaxed Friday night BBQ, a hearty roast dinner on Saturday, and the opportunity to explore iconic dive sites such as the Busselton Jetty and the Swan, depending on conditions.
From 2 to 13 April, nineteen eager divers will embark on an international adventure to the Red Sea. They will spend seven nights aboard the Blue Horizons liveaboard, diving the northern Red Sea’s most renowned reefs and the historic SS Thistlegorm wreck before rounding out their journey with a cultural experience in Cairo, complete with a visit to the Pyramids — a truly unforgettable combination of diving and history.
In May, the beloved Annual Bocce Competition returns, bringing its mix of doubles matchups, knockout rounds, and light hearted rivalry. It’s an event defined as much by laughter as it is by competition, with bragging rights waiting for the winners.
Finally, the season will conclude in July with a river cruise courtesy of Rhapsody Cruises. Whether it’s a Murder Mystery night, a Friday music voyage, or a cocktail themed sailing, members can look forward to an elegant and memorable wrap up to an action packed season.
A COMMUNITY THAT DIVES TOGETHER, THRIVES TOGETHER
The Ocean Reef Dive Section doesn’t just schedule events — it creates experiences. It nurtures confidence, welcomes newcomers, celebrates achievements, and brings the ocean to life with every shared adventure. From cray competitions to international dive expeditions, from beachside barbecues to challenging wreck dives, this group proves that the only thing better than exploring the ocean is doing it with a strong, supportive, enthusiastic community. And if this season’s start is any indication, the months ahead promise even more excitement, more stories, and even more unforgettable memories.
Peter Cresswell
Rear Commodore Diving
Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club
3 Boat Harbour Quay, Ocean Reef Marina WA 6027
P I 08 9401 8800 I M 0455 063 627
E I diving@orssc.asn.au
W I www.orssc.asn.au
The Poker Report
ORSSC Club Poker
Phil Pollard
As some members are aware ORSSC hosts Texas Holdem Poker every Tuesday night.
The game started as a social gathering over 20 years ago by a few members who thought it would be a bit of fun and a great social event each week and has now evolved into a social tournament enjoyed weekly by members.
The structure is tournament poker NOT Cash Poker the difference being all you pay is an entry fee to join in and you are not constantly purchasing chips and gambling away your hard earned cash.
The number of winning places paid will depend on the number of tournament entries eg. 1 Table (8 players) only 1st place, 2 Tables 1st & 2nd, 3 tables 1st, 2nd & 3rd etc.
We play our tournaments in seasons usually between 20 – 30 weeks and we then play a grand final game with the prize pool being accumulative throughout the season.
All players in the Grand final must have played a pre-determined number of weekly tournaments to Qualify for entry into the GF. (Conditions apply)
Tournaments currently run every Tuesday night from 7pm until 11.30pm.
Registration from 6pm until 6.45pm.
If you are running late phone or text Joe 0403 601 160
No late entries can be accepted.
Not a member?
To attend the club and participate in any club activity on a frequent basis you must be a member and poker is open to all financial members.
If you are not a member you can attend and play 2 tournaments and must be signed in by a member each time.
If you wish to continue playing you can join either as a full member or as an associate sports member to only participate in poker events (conditions apply).
For more info or any Questions please contact Joe Wettinger 0403 601 160.
Chirag - Straight Flush ($50 Bar voucher)
Season 1, 2026 PokerDates
First, we would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support of the Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club for the upcoming Seasons 2 for 2026 Poker. (Members only, see Rules below).
We are grateful to everyone that comes every week to help set up and stays until the very end to help clean up the tables, chairs, and poker chips.
Season 1, 2026–25 Weeks (Joe Darcy memorial tournament)
Season 1 commencing 17/03/26 Grand final date to be confirmed.
Season 2, 2026–25 Weeks
Season 2, 2026 - Grand Final Date not yet set.
Weekly Entry cost Thirty Dollars ($30).
Breakdown of fees:
• Twenty Dollars ($20) paid out each week.
• Ten Dollars ($10) towards Grand Final.
In addition, we have introduced a weekly side pot competition (last man standing) of $20.
Any deals with the Side pot can only be introduced on final table and ALL persons remaining in the Side pot MUST agree to a split.
We will be running weekly flips $10 (max 8 players) winner to receive entry into next week’s game or to the value of $50.
Please note that weekly games Registration will close at 6.45pm for game to commence 7pm sharp. If you are running late phone or text your intentions to Joe 0403 601 160.
To be eligible to play in the Grand Final you must have played 10 games throughout this season.
This allows for family, work, and other commitments whereby you have missed weekly games.
Grand Final Entry Fee will also include the Ten dollars ($10) from all non-attended games for each respective season for 2026.
Also payable on Grand Final day is the $50 entry fee. Incentive awards over Seasons:
• Twenty Dollar Bounty ($20) to be paid out each week.
• $100 Bar voucher for most knockouts (or split if more than one winner).
• $100 Bar Vouchers for Royal Flush & $50 for Straight Flush.
• Grand final starting stack is $60,000.
• All players will be given an additional 1000 chips for every game attended after 10 games played. If played all games Season 1, 2026 a max of 15,000 chips.
Congratulations to Derek K again for winning $100 bar voucher for the most kills in season 2.
To end season 2 we played or season Grand Final on Saturday 14th March 25 players.
The game commenced at 1.30pm and all players were primed and ready for the long haul, the standard of poker played was to a professional level with our first player being eliminated after nearly 1 hour of play and Robbie picking up the NAPPA trophy, after which a steady flow of players were eliminated until we reached our final table at around 7.30pm with Mark being the unlucky 9th position winning him the wooden spoon trophy. The remaining 8 players battled it out for our season 2 Colin Bird Memorial champion trophy until 11pm with the placing as follows 8th place Andy (sideshow), 7th place Luke S, 6th place Clive P, 5th place Dereck K, 4th place Jeff C, 3rd place Paul H, 2nd place Robert W and our champion Rob (chucky) W.
Congratulations Chucky and to all who made the final table.
A big thank you to all the players who competed on the day playing a very high standard of poker which was reflected by the longevity of the game.
I would also like to thank all the players who participated throughout the season for their support and help to build the numbers each week.
Season 1 Starts Tuesday 17th March all are welcome.
Phil Pollard
Poker Section
Coops - Royal Flush ($100 Bar voucher)
The Poker Report (continued)
Colin Bird Memorial champion - Rob (chucky) W. 2nd place - Robert W
6th place - Clive P.
7th place - Luke S.
3rd place - Paul H.
8th place - Andy (sideshow).
4th place - Jeff C.
NAPPA trophy - Robbie.
5th place - Dereck K.
Wooden spoon trophy - Mark.
6PM - LATE
DARTS NIGHT DARTS NIGHT
Bar opens at 12pm - 10.30pm. Galley 6pm - 8.45pm.
JANUARY
31/01/26 Davindra Chaunda $4000
FEBRUARY
6/2/26 Andrew Harrison $4100
13/2/26 Daniel Thompson $4200
20/2/26 Robert Glencross $4300
27/2/26 Travis Selleck $4400
MARCH
6/3/26 David Irbe $4500
13/3/26 Dennis Hippolyte $4600
20/3/26 Donny Byrne $4700
7/3/26 Steven Oliver $4800
www.orssc.asn.au/events
Purchase any Heineken OR Heineken Silver Pint for your chance to go into the draw to have your next years Membership Fully Paid!! Thanks to Lion & Heineken For current financial members only, 1 entry per purchase of either Heineken or Heineken Silver Pint. Entry starts 1 April 2026 ends 30 September 2026.
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DAY
OFFICE 9am - 5pm
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GALLEY 5pm - 8pm
12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 8pm
OFFICE 9am - 5pm
BAR 12pm - 10:30pm
GALLEY 5pm - 8pm
OFFICE 9am - 5pm
BAR 12pm - 10:30pm
GALLEY 5pm - 8pm
12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 8pm
11:30am - 10:30pm GALLEY 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 8pm BAR 11:30am - 10:30pm GALLEY 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 8pm BAR 11:30am - 10:30pm GALLEY 12pm - 3pm & 5pm - 8pm ENTERTAINMENT Robbie Williams 7pm
MOTHER'S
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6pm - 8.45pm OFFICE
OFFICE 9am - 5pm
BAR 12pm - 10:30pm GALLEY 5pm - 8pm
OFFICE 9am - 5pm
BAR 12pm - 10:30pm GALLEY 5pm - 8pm
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12pm - 10:30pm
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OFFICE 9am - 5pm
BAR 12pm - 10:30pm
GALLEY 5pm - 8pm
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