Important Matters for Our Club – Your Support Needed

Dear Members,

I am writing to you on behalf of the committee, who, despite our best efforts, find ourselves facing ongoing challenges that require the collective support of our membership. Last week, in particular, was exhausting, with multiple issues arising that we cannot resolve alone. It is crucial that we all work together to ensure our club remains a thriving, respected, and enjoyable place for everyone.

Barbecue safety

Before Christmas, we had a close call when the barbecue caught fire, which could have spread to the balcony. Thankfully, Nye's quick thinking prevented a serious incident. It turned out that the issue was due to members not cleaning the barbecue properly after use. Grease buildup can create a significant fire risk, so we need to make sure everyone takes responsibility for cleaning up. Going forward, we kindly ask that all members thoroughly clean the barbecue, including the trays and the area underneath. If we don't see consistent cleaning, we might have to consider restricting access to the barbecue, which we'd rather not do. Let's work together to keep our space safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Bathroom Vandalism

We have had two separate incidents of faeces being smeared on the walls of the boys’ bathrooms during the Learn to Sail program. This is completely unacceptable and deeply unfair to the volunteer committee members who have had to clean it. We ask all parents to speak to their children and ensure this behavior stops immediately. As a result of these incidents, we had no choice but to restrict access to the boys’ bathrooms last weekend. A special thank you to those committee members who took on the unpleasant task of cleaning.

Burgee Mishap

Recently, the club burgee was incorrectly hoisted up the mast, creating a significant issue. While it may seem minor, fixing this now requires either climbing onto the roof or taking down the entire mast. What's important is not just fixing the mistake, but also making sure we're all aware of any issues that arise. If you happen to notice something similar in the future, please let us know right away so we can address it properly.

Safety on the Water

Last week, we had a concerning incident with a corporate vessel from All Occasion Cruises. One of their skippers directed inappropriate comments and rude gestures at our instructors and young sailors. I have taken this matter up with Water Police and Maritime authorities, but I am extremely disappointed by their lack of significant action. The safety of our members on the water is paramount. If you experience any incidents involving other vessels, please report them to me immediately so we can escalate matters as necessary. If any child ever feels unsafe on the harbor, we must know about it so appropriate steps can be taken.

Club maintenance

As many of you know, the club is in need of urgent maintenance. We are currently undertaking several reports and engineering assessments to ensure the long-term sustainability of our facilities. The committee is working tirelessly on this, and I remind you that we are all volunteers. If any members are able to assist, whether through expertise or time, we would greatly appreciate your support.

The strength of our club lies in its members. We need everyone to take responsibility and contribute to keeping our facilities safe, functional, and enjoyable. Please take these matters seriously, and let’s work together to ensure the continued success of our club.

Thank you,

Geoff Golovsky