Commodore’s Report

COMMODORE’S REPORT Ray McMahon

Its incredible how fast the years go by, its 12 months since I last wrote about what an incredible job the SYC do to assist our friends at the RSL with the Anzac Day services.

Again this year the SYC supplied a ‘raft up’ of boats just off the beach of the Southport Cenotaph to create an incredible atmosphere for the Anzac Day services. Organised by Vice Commodore Power, Ken Tregeagle, several of our members gave up their time and their vessels to light flares pre dawn. With recored gunfire coming across the speakers and the flares just off the shoreline it was a tingling experience. Congratulations to Ken and all of the members who were involved in honouring those that gave their lives for our way of life.

Lest we forget.

Your Club has some big plans in the wings. With the Broadwater Master Plan now complete the SYC play a good role in the future of the Gold Coast shoreline. Our Eastern extensions are looking more like a reality every day and now there is a proposal to do some big things on the Western side of the Main Beach venue. We are locked in talks with local and state governments to get the ball rolling. Watch this space, over the next few years our secured footprint will be something for all members to be proud of.

By the time you receive this issue of inSYnC the 2019 SYC elections will be into full swing. I really encourage all Gold members to vote. Its YOUR Club, please have a say by voting for the candidates you believe will do the best job for our Club.

On the international sailing scene the places in the Australian Olympic team for the 2020 Olympics in Japan are starting to hot up. Our Olympic Gold medalist Mat Belcher is leading the charge and working extremely hard overseas to ensure he’s one of the first names read out when the team is announced. Those that are yet to make an Olympic team, well, they have to work twice as hard to make a name for themselves on the international scene and none work harder than our own Joel Turner. Joel is really tapping on the door of the Australian Olympic team and we really want to encourage him to keep working hard and achieve that dream. Our ‘pocket rocket’ Blake Wilson will be competing in Germany in the 420 category over our Winter. I will have to stop calling him the pocket rocket soon, at 15, he’s almost as tall as me!!!!

Our sailing competitor numbers are going well, our fleet sizes are strong and this will no doubt make each and every sailor try a little harder to achieve success in their respective divisions. Our powerboat ‘cruisers’ are also enjoying good sized fleets. With plenty of events, their numbers seem to keep growing. It would be great to see some of our powerboats joining our logging fleet. Logging is a form of navigation event that along the way teaches you better navigating skills and therefore makes you a better/ safer person on the water. If you’ve got a powerboat and would like to learn some new skills, please get involved with the loggers.

On the land, the SYC Social Golf club is showing good numbers every month. Congratulations to Terry and his team for supplying good golf courses for their monthly round.

Dux birthday was again a sensational event. The weather was incredible and the entertainment amazing. The beautiful 2 acre property has never looked better. Our caretakers Bryan and Donna have been working tirelessly to present a beautiful property for you all to enjoy.

The SYC financial year has just ended and again its been a very successful year. Lots of money has been invested into ensuring our 4 venues are not only well maintained, but improved upon, plus, adding to that we’ve also put good money away for future developments and plans. A huge congratulations to our management team for another successful financial year.

Over the next 12 months its important that we continue to grow as we secure our future for many years to come.

Its great to be an SYC member.

I’ll see you around the Club.

Ray McMahon Commodore