Once a year, that happy family, comprising 5,888 members from 17 nations, converge on the Gloucester Passage at the top of the Whitsundays for an annual rendezvous.

From a gathering that started in August 2009 with 34 people and four boats, the event has consistently grown bigger. The 2017 event saw the greatest attendance yet, attracting 205 boats and a crowd of about 1,000 revellers.

SICYC founder Ken Thackeray attributes these figures to the inclusive nature of an “exclusively non-exclusive club”, where everyone is a “vice commodore” with the membership number 0010. “Every year, I see how important the Rendezvous is to the people who come along – for the friendships they make and how close everybody becomes,” he says. “It’s so festive, but it’s also got an almost spiritual feel about it.”

The spiritual feel undoubtedly comes not just from the camaraderie involved, but also from the purpose of raising money and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). The 2017 SICYC Rendezvous raised $102,000, bringing the total contribution to over $500,000 to date.

In Australia, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men, claiming 3,000 lives and more victims than breast cancer each year. To highlight this plight, Rendezvous participants have begun holding “Hands Across the Blue”, forming the shape of the PCFA logo with their tenders on the Gloucester Passage.

The powerful image this creates is a symbolic gesture Ken would like to see taken up by the wider boating fraternity and adopted beyond the Whitsundays. “Our ultimate aim is to engender an enthusiasm among boating organisations across Australia to create something similar,” he says. “Being about an 80% male-dominated sport, we feel it’s probably appropriate that the boating community take up the cudgel and start spreading awareness of the need for men to get out there and be tested, and to communicate a little bit more about the disease.”

SICYC Founder Ken Thackeray with tiny Shag Islet in the background (Photo: Sharon Smallwood)

Glad Smith, a former nurse from the Clarence River, who has sailed to the Rendezvous for the past two years with her husband Rick, agrees that prostate cancer is a silent killer. “Men don’t talk about their prostate,” she says. “But that is why everybody at the Rendezvous is just so committed to the cause.”

Part of that commitment is about joining in on the many fun opportunities for fundraising the Rendezvous presents. Each year’s event incorporates themed days and nights, with prizes on offer for the best-dressed guys and girls.

The Smiths, who took out the 2017 titles for their interpretation of the Saturday theme, “What were you wearing when the ship went down?”, say that they planned their costumes for the event long before weighing anchor aboard their Clipper 34, Jake. Dressed in outfits incorporating Y-fronts, suspenders, cold cream, 1950’s hair rollers and cucumber eye patches, they were only outdone by their entries to the pirate treasure theme the following day.

“What were you wearing when the ship went down?” theme

Glad and Rick Smith, 2017 best-dressed couple (Photo: Wasp NQ Productions)

In among the motley – and very merry – band of traditional-looking pirates gathered at Montes Reef Resort, the Smiths were standouts in their turmeric-dyed sheets decorated with hand drawn treasure maps to destinations such as ‘Le Nip Pel’ mountains and ‘Le Shag Islet’.

Peering through a treasure chest headpiece decorated with broken jewellery bought from an Op-shop, Glad summed up the essence of the nine-year-strong event. “We can be kids and get away with it,” she jokes. “And it’s also the camaraderie. We’ve met friends that we want to keep in contact with and we’ve exchanged (cruising) information with (them) as well. And there are no barriers either, like economy – we’re all there for (the same) purpose.”

Tony Little says this was why the Rendezvous has become “a beehive” for all cruisers on the coast. “Liver transplants and loss of brain function aside, it’s just a big, fun week with a whole bunch of like-minded people,” he said.

As part of his contribution to the cause, Tony co-hosts the event’s Coconut Radio alongside fellow “Shagger” Tully Mars. “A few years ago, Ken asked, ‘Can you play some music?’ I’d never done a radio station before in my life. I wouldn’t have a clue, but we gave it a go and it worked,” he recalls.

If all goes to plan, the Coconut Radio will now provide a means for boating folks in other locations to share in the frivolity at Rendezvous time. Depending on the allocation of an appropriate frequency, the plan is to live stream the event so that SICYC members internationally can listen in on Australian Eastern Standard Time.

New for 2018 are plans for an SICYC Season of Sail, allowing members from southern states to cruise up the coast together in stages. Starting with Cruise Lake Macquarie in late April, and incorporating cruising events on the Clarence River, Great Sandy Straits and others still to be negotiated, the SICYC Season of Sail will run all the way through to the Rendezvous.

“The fleet will slowly build and get bigger and bigger as it comes up the coast, so everyone who joins it will have that sense of belonging before they get here,” Ken says. “Of course it’s a sense of belonging that makes it harder for us all to say goodbye when it’s all over each year. By the time you get to the end of each rendezvous you get very close to tears.”

Themes for the 2018 Rendezvous are Parrot Heads for the Saturday night and pirates for the Sunday. Anyone wanting to win the coveted title of “best dressed” will need to get started on their costumes soon to be in with a chance against the Smiths.

“I’ve already got ideas,” Glad warns.

For more information or to join the club, visit www.sicyc.com.au or join the organisation’s Facebook page.

By Sharon Smallwood

Sharon is an SICYC member and “Vice Commodore” of Kanumera Bay in New Caledonia’s Isle of Pines, and is an editor and multimedia journalist who would rather be sailing.

*Main image by Wasp NQ Productions

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More than 100 “shaggers” danced the night away at the event, which was held at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly.

While a social, fun club, the SICYC also raises money for prostate cancer research and awareness. During the night, a cheque for $102,000 was presented to the Queensland chairperson of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Distinguished Professor Judith Clements AC, by SICYC vice commodore Ken Thackeray OAM. This brings the fundraising tally by the SICYC  to more than $500,000 to date .

Sponsors who donated fund-raising prizes and other forms of support during the year were also thanked and presented with certificates of appreciation. This included Boat Gold Coast magazine, for ongoing advertising and editorial support.

The SICYC now has more than 5,500 members and branches all over the world, including a very active Gold Coast branch, with a long list of social events planned for 2018. Life membership costs only $65, and entitles you to discounts at sponsor businesses. All members are honorary vice commodores. Visit www.sicyc.com.au for more information.

Phil Barlow from Hollywell with Lynette Richards from Scarborough

Tony and Vicki Little from the Gold Coast

Linda Webber and Jasmine Broderick, both from Cleveland

Diane Wobcke, Jeanette Irons and Debbie Anderson, all from the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast City Marina has been a major sponsor during the year and were on hand to help celebrate. Pictured are general manager Kevin Altera with his partner Tamara Clay, and public relations and marketing staff member Kimberley O’Neill and her partner Darren Rice.

Distinguished Professor Judith Clements AC and Peter Duffy, both from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, with a cheque for $102,000 presented by the SICYC.

By Caroline Strainig

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The powerhouse IRB club took out six gold, one silver and two bronze medals to cement their win, continuing their reign as the most successful IRB club in history.

Andrew Kelckhoven, who is coach, captain and competitor of the North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club said, “I believe we are this good because of a long history of continuous growing of our abilities. We have a solid platform, which was laid by many club stalwarts before our generation of competitors. Our club has a strong culture of success, and more importantly, we are like a big family. This allows our members to learn and develop seamlessly while having a great time. As is with most organisations, you are only as good as your people, your systems, and the culture you cherish.”

The club notched up twice as many points as its nearest competitor, so Andy must be coaching differently to other clubs. “As the sport has evolved, so has my coaching techniques. We have been forced to adapt to a number changes in the sports format and rules over the past 10 years. IRB racing is a challenging sport, so competitors need to prepare themselves physically. They are also required to prepare their boats and motors, and of course each team must acquire the skills to operate a vessel in extremely challenging water conditions. There are then many areas to master within. So unless you tick all the boxes, the chances of success are slim. Being both the coach and a competitor of our team has its challenges. However, I really enjoy nurturing new and young competitors more so than my own success.”

Remarkably, Andy’s own team boat won three of the four of the open races. But it could have been four of four, if not for mother nature. “Like all Surf Life Saving events, we compete in the surf, and anyone who has been to the beach can understand the unpredictability of the ocean particularly at the beach. I was unfortunate in my final race of the Surf Rescue to meet a wave only a few boat lengths offshore, which broke on top of us, all but stopping the boat and filling it with water. This final race is known as the blue ribbon event, and allows for no mistakes or misfortune. So, we were met with some bad luck and it was not meant to be. My old foe, Nathan Foster, was in the alley next to me, and suffered a similar fate. It was a shame to not be able to have another hit-out with him. Luckily, we had other crew who picked up a bronze medal for the club, with Spencer Moncrieff driving and Anthony Shanagan as the crewman.”

When asked to pinpoint what it is that makes North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club so much better at racing than the rest of the Australian teams, Andy ponders, “Our culture, like all other surf club culture, is one which is built from members willing to volunteer their time to patrol our beaches around Australia for no pay. This very fact, I believe, separates IRB racing culture from other sports. North Burleigh has a unique culture in that we all race for each other. We will do anything to assist each other on and off the beach. This family-like atmosphere has strengths on many different levels.”

Surf Life Saving Australia general manager of capacity and capability, Greg Meagher, said that the record number of crew competing noticeably increased the quality of competition. “This year, we had over 720 competitors, the most we’ve ever had, and it was clear the number of competitors brought up the quality of competition significantly,” he said.

Andy, not being one to take all the glory, was quick to note that, “Our female team won five medals: three gold, one silver, and one bronze. Mikaela Rawlings (driver) and Maddie Phillips (crewman) won three gold medals (Mass Rescue, Teams Race, Surf Rescue races). It was their first year together as crew and only second year racing, which is a massive effort! Brooke Ward (driver) and Sarah Cartwright (crewman) won one gold in teams race; one silver, behind Mikaela in Mass Rescue race; and a bronze with Surf Rescue Race.”

The scores speak for themselves. Andrew Kelckhoven will not only be written in history as one of the greatest all-round IRB athletes of his time, but more importantly he is a great role model for the Surf Life Saving community and a very humble and generous champion. Well done mate!

By Andy Kancachian

/Sep-Dec2017

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The Rendezvous will include: Meet-and-Greet, A Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) Breakfast, Tai Chi on the beach, kite flying on Shag Islet, Bands and dancing at Montes Reef resort and Cape Gloucester resort, pirate party, with prizes for best outfits, more dancing, prizes for best-dressed boat by day and by night, quiet drinks with new friends, music and information updates on Shag Island Coconut Radio, annual cake-cutting and BBQ and Seafood on Shag Islet, more dancing, walk-around oyster shuckers, loud drinks with new friends, best-dressed Pirate King and Queen, boaties’ buy-swap-sell (used boatie gear only), annual dinghy round-up to form PCFA logo holding “Hands Across the Blue” for prostate cancer, dancing, raffles and auctions, helicopter rides, fireworks, really loud drinks with old and new friends, reef fishing charters, more dancing, and on it goes.

There are 20 moorings for hire off Cape Gloucester Resort. The anchorage is big with good holding particularly on the western side of Shag Islet and there is also good anchorage for shoal draft vessels on the eastern side, off Montes Reef Resort. The gently shelving beaches require you to use a long painter on your dinghy.

The annual Rendezvous raffle will feature major prizes: a $5,000 catamaran charter on the beautiful Reflections and a holiday package at Shingley Beach Resort Airlie Beach, and over 20 other fantastic prizes. There will be an auction of donated items, ranging from bungalows at Montes and Cape Gloucester Resorts for Rendezvous 2017, marina berthing packages, SICYC-themed toilet seats, and SICYC Queensland personalised number plates.

If you are a person who does NOT enjoy socialising, swapping stories, being prone to mild exaggeration, helping out when required, laughing at jokes and dancing, then you need not attend. To everyone else out there – it is time!

Time to dust off the pirate outfit, stock up on new jokes, bad outfits and loud shirts, iron the Vice Commodore shirt, check the party lights, sort out the flag collection, service the boat, check the sails and rigging, dust off the kite and replace the string, polish up your best dancing thongs, and practise those really catchy moves that only you can do. Time to haunt the second-hand shops to get your outfit together for the annual fancy dress day – which this year is themed “What were YOU wearing when the ship went down?”

SICYC is a not-for-profit incorporated association, which has raised over $400,000 for prostate cancer awareness and research over the past six years. SICYC now have over 5,400 members from 16 nations. Every member of SICYC is a “Vice Commodore”. The membership fee is $65 for life, and includes many other perks. Non-members may sign up at www.sicyc.com.au.

(May-Aug2017)

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Sailing is important in his life

Brendan was just three years old when he almost drowned and was left with Cerebal Palsy that badly affected his motor skills. After being in intensive care and on life support for a month, Brendan went home heavily medicated with his body rigid and suffering severe muscle spasms. Following many years of operations and painful physical therapy, Brendan began to show some improvement, although he would always be totally dependent on others for assistance with everyday tasks such as feeding, bathing, toileting, dressing and so on.

He attended school through the Cerebal Palsy League. He enjoyed school camps, swimming, wheelchair sports, outings and many other activities and was finally integrated into the local school system. After completing high school in 1999, Brendan joined a disability support service and it was here that he was first introduced to sailing for people with disabilities.

Shortly after attending Sailability Gold Coast, Brendan was asked to join the racing team and with training by some of the dedicated volunteers, entered his first regatta in 2003 at Lake Ainsworth, followed by further local and interstate regattas. Brendan then had the opportunity to purchase his own boat, which allowed him to sail solo and compete in race days on Sundays at Southport Yacht Club, Hollywell.

Brendan’s family say, “Sailing is the first activity Brendan has ever been able to accomplish on his own without assistance once he is in his boat. He looks forward to every day he attends Sailability Gold Coast, not only for the sailing but also socializing with the great group of people he has come to know. He absolutely loves the freedom he has being out on the water in his own boat and being completely in charge. If it wasn’t for the amazing group of volunteers at Sailability Gold Coast, their guidance and patience, Brendan would not have been able to reach his potential and be sailing on his own.”

Wheelchair-bound landlubber to solo sailor

Stefan was a 21-year old university student in England when he was driving his trusty Morris Minor along a road at “a good speed of 20 miles per hour” when a large lorry coming at speed towards him jack-knifed in the wet conditions. Stefan was trapped under the truck and suffered serious spinal cord and brain stem injuries. He was eventually discharged from hospital with no prospect of even getting out of bed on his own, let alone living independently.

Thus began a long and challenging journey struggling through rehabilitation of many years. But he was absolutely determined to become what people call “normal”.

He was 36 years old when he and his mother came to Australia. Years later, Stefan had been living independently for a long time and discovered Sailability Gold Coast. He transferred from going for a ride on Tuesdays to being coached on Thursdays using that same determination to learn to sail. For two to three years, Sailability Gold Coast sailors took him out in the dinghies to get him to manage the boat but it just wasn’t happening as everyone was hoping it would. This became a pattern, until one day, it was decided to “just send him out”. Of course Stefan was all for it! So Stefan just set off and sailed on his own—and came back on his own! Stefan was far too much a gentleman to shout, “I told you so!”

While the control of the sails is now the current challenge, in gentle to moderate winds, Stefan is sailing a proper course around our marker buoys with a pre-set jib and electric control of the main sail. He has gone from being a pretty quiet man to one who now laughs and gives as good as he gets. It is the freedom that comes with the achievement. And doesn’t he just love it!

Sailability Gold Coast program also encourages people with physical disabilities to sail solo in dinghies or as a crewmember on yachts. Visit sailabilitygc.org or call 0407 979 666 for more information about their programs and how to be part of the team.

By Sailiability Gold Coast and Paul Dinniss

The post Sailing for freedom appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

The 2016 Rendezvous, with theme of Parrot Head, saw some 220 boats of all types and about 800 people hell bent on having fun. Some have come from far and wide such as a group who came from the USA along with many first time “Shaggers”.

The Season of Sail (introduced earlier this year for sailors who were taking the journey from the south to the Whitsundays) was a success, with east coast marinas, such as Port of Bundaberg, Roslyn Bay and Mackay, offering enticements and discounts along the way. Once reaching the Whitsundays, Abell Point Marina offered significant discounts off their weekly rate, which was appreciated by all.

Day One kicked off with a “meet and greet” welcome event. Day Two began with morning tea on boats, and then kite-flying on the diminutive islet was held with 500 people flying kites. The rest of the day was all fun with sausage sizzles, drinks and nibbles, oysters, and listening to the Parrot Head FM radio station. At Montes, live music, crab races, boaties’ auction, raffle and meals were on offer, with courtesy boats transporting partygoers from their boats to the islet or the resort.

Day Three saw the creation of “Hands Across the Water” event, where dinghies assembled to form the Cancer Foundation of Australia logo, while everyone in the dinghies was dancing to the live music entertainment from the stern deck of superyacht Norseman. The Parrot Head Party was a hit with yachties displaying their best parrot head hats, while judges were also busy choosing the “Best Dressed Boat by Night”.

The “Pirates Parley” started at lunchtime of Day Four at the Cape Gloucester Resort. Blackbeard and Captain Morgan were pussies compared to this mob! The raffle for the fully reconditioned 1972 HQ Holden station wagon (donated by Llewellyn Motors) was drawn. A happy motoring enthusiast from Victoria, Adrian Ries, was the lucky winner. Other fundraiser activities were held, including a first-time attendee who shaved her head and raised $1,000 on the spot.

An interesting twist was the introduction of sea safety course, conducted by Sunshine Sailing Australia at the Cape Gloucester Resort where participants were able to get up close and personal with flare demonstrations, life raft drills, and came to realise that both a life raft and a life jacket are definitely a last line of defence!

Another fabulous first for the rendezvous was the creation of SICYC Coconut Radio broadcasting throughout the event on FM89.5. Adding to the overall fun was the opportunity to take a helicopter flight around the area that gave yachties a chance to see their boats from above and saw a general overview of the locality, with a portion of the fees donated to PCFA.

In 2017, the ‘Season of Sail’ will mature, with possible fleets sailing from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane joined by other boats along the way. SICYC will provide “cruising-in-company” information on marinas, anchorages, and member benefits for the 2017 cruising season.

To learn more about SICYC and the 2017 Season of Sail, visit www.sicyc.com.au.

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In 1965, a lease was acquired on South Stradbroke Island, known as Boathaven, to give members a beautiful base to enjoy their boating, which included navigation logging, fishing, and relaxing with family. More importantly, children were taught water and boating safety skills, and respect for the natural surroundings.

Thanks to the the vision of the founding members, all B.O.A.T. members, old and new, are still privileged to enjoy Boathaven 53 years on! The Club has seen many improvements to the wonderful facility. Recently, theamenities block had a face lift, with solar-powered equipment and lighting installed, relying more on renewable energy.

The Club’s focus around boating through activities such as Seafari’s, observation runs, and fishing, and in ensuring our junior members are having fun safely in and on the water, are still of major importance. It is just magical to see children having a wildlife experience with our resident wallabies, goannas, kookaburras, and other wildlife. Boathaven is a wonderful environment to make lifelong friendships with like-minded families and new people from all walks of life.

The Club offers camping for members and their guests within our lease area. Deep-water anchorage is available for members who prefer to stay aboard. Members and guests have access to hot showers, toilets, barbecue facilities and the day shed. Lockers and dinghy racks are available to rent for storing personal belongings to lighten the travel load. All facilities are secured by key for private membership use.

All positions in our Club are voluntary, with the lease maintenance and caretaking done with pride by all members. The Club hold regular working bees, and encourage all members to attend our piece of paradise at Boathaven.

www.boatclub.org.au

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Coach Andrew Kelckhoven took his team to the other side of the globe to battle it out in the IRB section of the World Titles, which ran from September 1st to 18th, on the coast of Noordwijk.

Kelckhoven personally came home with three gold and one bronze medals, and the club collected seven gold, two silver and four bronze medals in total. Kelckhoven commended his team on their performance and teamwork, under slightly different rules and in different boats to that they had trained in.

“I think it’s a test to take a group of young people to the other side of the world and to come away victorious. I think our culture and we, as a unit, were awesome. We worked really really well together.”

Conditions were not ideal on the IRB days of the competition with minor chop and wind to contend with. “It was a little bit rough and testing at times, but nothing that was too had to handle,” said Kelckhoven.

The World Lifesaving Championships are unique in that teams are supplied with standard boats to create an equal playing field. This year, a 377 Arancia was used with a 30 HP motor.

North Burleigh had been training three to four times a week since the end of the previous year due to their competition schedule. “We were pretty lucky in the timing because our Australian titles were only at the end of July, which we won. So, we were very fortunate as it was quite easy for us to just continue training. We came out, had about a week off after the titles, and then continued training,” the coach described.

There were a total of 197 competitors in the IRB events, from 37 different countries. Kelckhoven described the event as having a good spread of competition.

Local club Kirra proved to be among the fiercest IRB contenders, North Burleigh having shared one of their Gold medals with the Aussies. “It was really nice to share that with a fellow Gold Coast club. The Kirra team are an extremely well-disciplined and skilled crew. They would probably have been the toughest competitors,” said Kelckhoven.

The next Lifesaving World Championships are to be held in Glenelg and Marion of South Australia, in 2018. Andy says he is very much looking forward to defending his title back here, but describes World Championships as being harder to win on home soil.

“Sometimes it can be easier to win a world title believe it or not, than an Australian title just because you’re away from home and you don’t have the depth,” he said.

Kelckhoven described Australian titles as being more difficult because everybody from around the country turns up for the national events and there’s such a high level of skill here. “I suppose it gives me a lot of satisfaction to know that the future of the sport, particularly within North Burleigh, has a bright future,” he admitted.

To add to Kelckhoven’s roll of success, he and fellow IRB teammate, Kate Czerny, are being inducted into the Surf Life Saving Australia Hall of Fame for their outstanding contributions to the sport. The pair are the first IRB competitors ever to be inducted.

By Kelly Campbell

Photo by Dutch Lifesaving Federation

The post North Burleigh Victorious at IRB World Championships appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

It is about enjoying the company of fellow cruisers while travelling to the annual Rendezvous, as early as April. Members enjoy the benefits of a fantastic fraternity on the water while being hosted by various marinas and be invited to a feast of events on the way as part of the Season of Sail.

By keeping their VHF on a dual watch 16/72, members can transmit on Ch 72 asking if there any Shaggers in the anchorage and arrange to meet with them—a great way to meet up on the way up the coast.

This year, several marinas welcomed the members during the Season of Sail on the way north from Brisbane. Hervey Bay Boat Club offered a short term berth discount and a “Meet and Greet” every Friday evening for the members. Bundaberg Port Marina and tenants offered various discounts and berth packages, while Mackay Marina offered a berth discount.

Abell Point Marina, host of the annual Rendezvous, and selected tenants offered discounts including berth discounts of 15 percent off the weekly rate, with courtesy cars made available.

The premier social event of the season, the Prostate Cancer Gala Ball was held on 16 July. It was an evening of elegance with a twist, all for a great cause—to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). Special guests for the evening were distinguished professor, Judith Clements AC, the mayor of the Whitsundays, Cr Andrew Wilcox (the Vice Commodore of Horseshoe Bay Bowen), and Matt Hayden, an ardent supporter of the PCFA. Paul Darouzett, owner of the Abell Point Marina, and Cr Wilcox, personally welcomed all the guests. The Lure, a new events facility at Abell Point Marina, was the venue of the “Sea Princess” and “Black Tie and Board Shorts” Gala Ball for the members, SICYC sponsors and friends, and early bird cruisers.

The SICYC Season of Sail continued with the SICYC “Family and Friends BBQ” on 29 July at the North Village of Abell Point Marina. Paul Darouzett, owner of Abell Point Marina, again welcomed all Shaggers.

“Welcome to Airlie Beach” is an annual event at which the Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) formally welcomes all Vice Commodores. The welcome event hosted by the Commodore of WSC will be held on Friday 5 August 2016. Special entertainment will be provided and meals will be available at reasonable rates. Honorary temporary membership of the WSC will be granted to all Vice Commodores present.

The “Great Whitsunday Fun Race” (GWFR), jointly sponsored for the first time by SICYC and WSC will be held on 20 August 2016. Fifty percent of race proceeds will go to PCFA.

The big event, the “SICYC Rendezvous 2016” will be held in the vicinity of Shag Islet from 25 to 28 August. Early bird activities will commence on 23 August at both Cape Gloucester and Montes Reef Resort. This year’s Rendezvous theme is Parrot Head.

With over 240 yachts and some 1000 people expected to attend the Rendezvous this year, there will be fun and good times for everyone.

For more event details and membership information, visit www.sicyc.com.au.

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In 2016, the Club celebrates the 70^th anniversary, and today, as in McRobbie’s time, the success and driving force of SYC is only possible through the dedication of the members. It is unlikely that any of the early members foresaw their Club and its facilities develop into a multi-million dollar business enterprise and the jewel of Queensland boating.

The Club remains an interesting place to socialise with frequently arriving vessels from around the world. The crew, whether they be race crews or married couples on a journey, have navigated many a treacherous sea, regularly dock at the Club, and spend their nights at the bar sharing stories of sailing adventures across the oceans.

HISTORY:

The Broadwater was first described by a passing 1822 naval ship captain as a “large lagoon”. The first recorded Broadwater sailing club was in 1880, when four prominent Southport residents staged races among themselves and were sometimes joined by visiting yachtsmen. These organised events and other spontaneous regattas brought great intrigue to the locals, giving birth to the idea of a local yacht club. However, a tragedy during one of these races that claimed the lives of three crew, set back any successful plans for a club for many years.

In 1897, a Southport Easter Regatta was held. From then on, regattas became a feature of the Southport social life with spectacular sail pasts. In the early 20th century, The Southport School (TSS) regatta was also a popular annual sailing event. And by the 1940’s, the Broadwater had become busy with both recreational and commercial vessels. The Brisbane yachting fraternity would cruise the passages south to discover the beauty of the Broadwater areas. The voyage was best described as “a one bottle of rum trip” by the skipper of Maid of Sker to explain how long it would take to travel from Brisbane to Southport.

During World War II, a group of local boat owners offered sailing trips, with a picnic at Jumpinpin, to injured returned serviceman as part of their rehabilitation. These boat owners would eventually become the foundation members of the newly formed Southport Yacht Club.

On April 5, 1946, the mayor of Southport, John Proud proudly chaired a meeting of approximately 70 people at the Southport Council Chambers in Nerang Street. After a considerable discussion, it was agreed that further meetings would take place to organise the details for the formation of the yacht club. Eventually, the Southport Yacht Club was formed with Lindsay Firth as the very first Commodore.

The Club’s early objectives were to acquire land for a club house, define and beacon all channels, improve picnic spots in the bay and rivers, and lobby to have the main channel deepened.

Almost weekly, there was a new boating disaster at the Southport bar possibly claiming more wrecked vessels than any other bar in the world. The members of the yacht club were often asked to assist visiting vessels wanting to cross the treacherous bar.

Many of the early members would go on to feature prominently in the management and urban development of the city of Gold Coast. Fortunately, around this time, expert town planner, Dr Karl Langer, a well-known Brisbane architect, during the planning the Main Beach precinct, included a site for the Club with ample surround car parking space on arguably the best site along the whole Broadwater.

After the Club’s second year, the members approached the Southport Trainee Squadron, which had been formed way back in 1926, to join Club at their Hollywell base. Technically then, the SYC junior club is in fact older than the senior club.

It would be nearly 10 years before the first club house would be built. As Main Beach was zoned as an upmarket “Brick Area”, the construction would need to be permanent and the ground level raised before building. By 1952, the Club had 70 members. After much lobbying for financial backing and fundraising by the ladies’ committee, construction of the club house began in 1953.

The modest club house was officially opened in 1956. There was no fancy bar servicing alcohol, nor was there a restaurant serving food. However, the members were thrilled that basics such as bread, milk, butter, ice and the newspaper were available. In 1959, with a membership of 203, the Club successfully acquired a liquor license, and also installed a telephone.

The early members were community-minded and helped shape the development of the Broadwater. Their pioneering dedication to marine conservation in the area remains until this day.

By the late 1950’s, boating on the Broadwater was booming. All this, well before the advent of riverfront homes and canal estates, many boat owners simply moored their boats close to their homes, causing what was coined as “nautical congestion”. By 1966, members were informed by the then Commodore Lee Kilner, that impressive numbers of overseas and interstate guests were visitors to the Club which made the Club unique, and that these guests were helping to keep the Club up-to-date in its thinking.

By 1967, Queensland was heading towards becoming one of the largest recreational boating destinations in the country. The state government began implementing a mooring fee of $5 per feet per year, even if the boat owners were up in arms.

In 1969, the first lady skippers race was held. The Club has always been a sign of the times, so up until that year, the Club insisted that boating was predominantly for men. It was in 1974 that the Club’s constitution was amended to permit the formation of what was initially called a “Ladies Auxiliary”, formally titled the Associates Committee, where ladies were granted an associates membership. However, it was not until the half year meeting on April 1986, when the club finally decided to admit women as full members, should they so desire.

In 1972, due to demand in the area, the Club opened a slipway that had a waiting list for those wanting to slip their boats. A few years later, approval was granted by the Department of Harbours and Marine to build a floating marina. However, it would take several years and a unique financing arrangement by some members to have the first stages of the marina ready for occupancy. Between 1977 and 1981 the marina was continually expanded due to growing demand. The floating marina and hard stand were officially opened in 1986.

In 1982, another major Club facility was built on South Stradbroke Island, on a sandy beach front block, suitable for offshore anchorage that was offered to the club by the council. Many committed members organized themselves in working bees and set sail with members’ boats carrying building equipment and supplies. After a few years of hard work, the area came to be known as the DUX and was equipped with amenities and a caretaker’s residence. At the 1985 peak of the season, there were 85 boats anchored for the weekend at the Dux Basin. Finally in 1991, after an expansion of the area and various improvements on facilities, a crowd of 400 people gathered on the picturesque island location to see what had been achieved by volunteers after 10 years of dedicated service.

In 1992, through a generous sporting grant from Jupiters Casino, an amount of $500,000 was received by the Club, which was used to build new facilities and amenities at Hollywell. The development of the junior facilities established the Club and the Gold Coast as a yacht racing force on both national and international levels.

After several years of resistance from members, the Club finally installed poker machines in 1993 to generate much needed operating funds. The introduction of the poker machines led to the creation of a social member status at the Club. The social members had no voting rights and most had no interest in boating.

That same year, the Club began its involvement in the most ambitious project in its history. The SYC was successful in its $2.6 million dollar bid to make the Gold Coast as the Australian training base from March to September in 1994 for the oneAustralia and Sydney 95 America’s Cup teams. The wind and wave patterns of the shores of the Gold Coast were similar to those expected in the San Diego-held competition in 1995. To prepare for the training, the Queensland Department of Transport very quickly dredged a channel to the Seaway. The Club grounds were transformed into a high-tech training facility complete with a huge work shed and a massive crane used to lift the yachts in and out of the water. Even though the oneAustralia yacht was defeated by the Kiwis, this initiative delivered between $300,000 and $400,000 to the Club including a large L-shaped floating marina and a significant increase in membership.

Continuing the excitement at the Club, in May 1995 a $17 million full-scale jarrah replica of Captain James Cook’s Endeavour berthed at the Club, with a total of 18,000 visitors coming to see the vessel over nine days, 7,000 of which actually visited the Club. By this time, the Club had over 800 social members.

Millennium Milestones

Today’s Club is as much a remarkable story of the survival of a community initiative, as it is about the Club’s teams surviving out at sea. Having overcome many hurdles in their formative years, such as financial constraints with long periods of waiting and hoping, and extended periods of fund raising. The members have always held on with a passion. This persistence has seen the Club eventually prosper to become financially sustainable.

After 70 years of continuous investment, SYC facilities have expanded to become a multi-purpose boating mecca that caters to the service requirements of boat owners and social life of Club members and casual visitors. The floating marina has been expanded to 300 berths with 10 super yacht berths. Every year, they receive between 500 and 800 visiting vessels. The most significant investments in facilities and amenities include the renovations to the marina in 2007 (which was awarded the as Best Marina in Australia in the same year) and the major renovations to the Main Beach Clubhouse in 2008. In 2011, a major renovation was undertaken at the Hollywell Clubhouse. In 2015, an arrival/departure pontoon was installed at the Dux. These vast investments did not go unnoticed, having been given a Gold Anchor accreditation of 4-1/2 Anchors by the Marina Industries Association in 2014 and awarded the Rowland Best Innovation Award to the Club in 2016 for the Waterscape pontoon bar by the Keno and Clubs Queensland.

Gone also are the days of an exclusive male membership. The Club is very up to date with signs of the times, and advocates for equal opportunities and progressive thinking. In 2013, a long-time member, Kerry Noyes, was appointed Vice Commodore for Sail. And recently, at the 70^th Annual General Meeting of Southport Yacht Club held on 25 July 2016, Kerry was appointed Commodore. She is the first female Commodore of the Club. This is a very significant achievement for Queensland sailing and the SYC community.

The very strict dress code has also relaxed to keep up with the times. Back in the 1960’s, the Executive Board preferred white open-necked shirt with short sleeves, white shorts, and long white golf socks and preferably white shoes. These days, the Club requires you to “dress respectfully in your own style”.

The most challenging aspect of managing the Club is overcoming the perception of exclusivity. The waterfront restaurant and bar is open to the public and the membership packages are very affordable. Although some members are “mega rich”, most members are regular people with a love of boating. The Club is definitely “not exclusive nor snobby”.

In 2013, SYC was awarded Best Casual Dining by Clubs Queensland and the prestigious Marina Restaurant of the Year by the Marina Industries Association.

This year, the Club reports over 3,000 members and more than 100,000 annual visitors to the venue. There are over 80 staff employed by the Club. Add to that the many thousands of hours of labour voluntarily contributed by members. This large team of people, working for a common cause, are able to stage over 500 boat races each year, as well as many of the Club’s traditional occasions and a myriad of social functions. All these interactive opportunities provide the community with a hub to meet and partake in on-water activities with likeminded sporting enthusiasts.

Other aspects of the Club that help keep the quality of service to the members and the community involve the Club’s marketing strategies and its sailing programs that encourage young people to participate. The Club’s free learn-to-sail programs are a significant contribution to the local community. In addition, the Club’s marketing manager, Bronwen Hemmings, was awarded Club Super Young Manager Encouragement of the Year 2016 by the Keno and Clubs Queensland.

What is a Club without competition?

The Club has always strived for boating excellence. As far back as 1946, when just a handful of boats jostled for a win, the Club aspired to be the best—to win, no matter the effort required. This belief and the Club’s relentless investment in the future have paid off. The Club’s go-get-it attitude on the water is optimised in one of its homegrown heroes, Mathew Belcher OAM, knighted for his sailing excellence. Mathew, who learned to sail at Hollywell and went on to win a staggering seven world sailing championships that included a Gold Medal at the 2012 London Olympics in Sailing 470 class.

The Club’s recent sailing participation includes wins in the following races: Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (2010), Sabot National Titles (2011), First Sail Paradise Regatta (2012), Nacra Infusion World Championships (2013) and Etchells National Titles (2014)

Today, the Main Beach Clubhouse stands against a dramatic backdrop of international hotels and world-renowned beaches. The boating lifestyle has remained a major draw card to new families looking to reside in the city. Boating has become a significant contributor to the city’s economic success. While the environment, and the accessibility to beautiful sheltered waters and easy access to the ocean are the reasons why boating has become so popular, the founding members of the Southport Yacht Club and all the members throughout its rich seventy year history, who have donated their time and energy over the years, must be acknowledged for their vision and foresight to believe in a way of life closely connected to the waterways. Boating on the Gold Coast is what captures the attention of many of us. The city and the Club will continue to prosper as the rest of the world discover our boating life and the historic and cosmopolitan Southport Yacht Club.

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This year’s 70^th anniversary celebrations at SYC officially began on April 19 with the Birthday Bash. Festivities included past and present members of the navigation division joining the 2016 SYC Open Power Boat Navigation Event. On July 9, the SYC 70th Anniversary Gala Ball was held with live entertainment and dinner dance.

The 70th Anniversary Sail Past and Blessing of the Fleet will be staged at the Main Beach Clubhouse on September 3. It will be a fun family day with vessels being dressed and decorated. An SYC Members-only anniversary celebratory event on October 1 will feature a performances from legendary Australian musician Daryl Braithwaite.

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Written by Andy Kancachian. This information was made possible by the extensive documentation by historian and award winning journalist Alexander McRobbie, and contributions by SYC General Manager Brett James, Waterfront Manager Mark Riddell, Marketing Manager Bronwen Hemmings and Membership Coordinator Rosemary Austin.

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