Last Sunday saw Westernport Yacht Club have its season opening day.

Around 100 people came to the club during the afternoon. The afternoon began with a fantastic ‘sail past’. About 20 boats of various shapes and sizes gathered at the eastern end of the beach and at 2.00 proceeded towards where the Commodore’s boat was anchored off the yacht Club. As each boat passed by the Commodore, all crew waved and saluted and were greeted with enthusiastic  waving and hooting of horns. There was a crowd of members and guests on the beach observing the proceedings as many youngsters played in the water.

Awards for the ‘sail past’ go to the following categories,

Best dressed person -  Junior category – Jessica Gregory
                                     - Senior category – Russell Jones

Best salute – Lynn Dugay who delivered a perfectly balanced sail past) whilst standing straight and tall (thanks to Tony Bayley who had the job of keeping things even

Fastest boat – Glen Douglas and family (including Anna, Asha, 6 and Eddy 2)
Slowest boat (but not last) – Russell Jones

Best prepared boat – Russell Jones in his Sparrow decked out with nautical flags which fluttered as he rowed passed.

Newest boat (as in new to the owners) – Asher Bouwmeester and his Dad Michael.

Newest club member – Marty Williams

Youngest participant – Eddy Douglas

Oldest participant – discretion takes hold here. (They know who they are!!!)

First over the line – though it was not a race – Leigh Harvey

Last over the line – Adam Smith – keeping to usual Hobie time

First to capsize – Andrew Hill – OOPs – does he need Nicholas back?

First breakage on water of the season – Malcolm Anderson with James Farquharson on the Flying Dutchman who watched their mast drop gracefully to the deck.

Thanks to the boat crews who manned the ribs, the Barden family who lead the way in BI 9. Graham H and Alexander at the start line and  Bruce, Darrin, Wendy, Glenda who contributed to the cheering, waving and tooting on Tulum.

Following this we had the official opening in the club rooms.

The proceedings began with a  Welcome given by the Commodore to all club members and guests .
This was followed by a very thoughtful talk given by Lynn Dugay, one of the inaugural recipients of the Shirley Sullivan  award for being a valued volunteer. 

Lynn spoke of the importance of remembering past members of the club upon which our club has developed. He mentioned the fact that we still have relatives of several of the founding members and original families of the club. The Williams, Fethers, Douglas and Mudford families. He spoke of a gentleman, Graham, who was one of the many who had been a small part of the running of the club during the early 1970’s. He spoke of an educated man, who had a great interest in classical music, classic literature and a great love of Opera. He met Graham at the Shoreham nursing home a few years ago. Being the gentleman Lynn is, he made a lot of visits, sharing in these pastimes of Graham’s discussing and debating the worthiness of many great artists and authors. They talked on many topics and shared their joy of poetry. 

While Lynn was speaking, 2 of Graham’s grandchildren and his 5 great grandchildren were down on the lawn in the club enjoying the day with many of their friends from in the community and other club members.
Lynn shared with us a poem ‘Sea Fever,  by John Masefield. A poem and poet he had hoped to share with Graham.  Unfortunately time got in the way. Graham left us a  couple of years ago. 
Graham was my Father.  

It is good to reflect and remember that a Club like ours is the sum of all the work and passion that has been put in by Club members over the nearly 60 years of Westernport Yacht Club’s existence.

Marg Douglas
Commodore 
Westernport Yacht Club.

More photos in the photo gallery