The older I get the faster the years go by – so here we are 2018/19 at Waikawa Boating Club. Chris has got us started on an interesting programme for 2018/19. A new Waikawa Social Club has been formed for the day-boat owners and non-boaties. Thirty people attended the inauguration meeting. A Senior/Crew membership drive is taking place in August. These both are being driven by Mandy Carpenter, our newly appointed Rear Commodore House; and assisted by Lisa Cockerell, Club Manager. Lisa started working for WBC in February. She is a very pleasant, capable manager and doing a great job as our front person, with lots of ideas.
Vice Commodore Dave Kelway (“Submarine Dave”) handles Health & Safety, looks after building development and supporting me. Dave has great enthusiasm for the Club and sailing (and red wine).
I am also looking after Moorings and Assets with Clive Ballett’s ongoing assistance. Clive has longevity with Moorings, and I have learnt you need history in this very important job. Moorings are the main assets of WBC, Pelorus and Mana CC. They help give safety for members. We have been gifted another mooring in Bulwer and have been offered two moorings in Admiralty Bay (Hamilton & Elsie) right at the southern end. Hamilton Bay is a very sheltered southern and westerly mooring, an attractive place. I have inspected both moorings – wait and see what happens.
“Michigan Liz” (Liz Nelson) is taking over as Rear Commodore Cruising. She has an interesting programme planned – watch out for Liz and come and join in!
Paul Skelton, our Rear Commodore Sailing, has simplified sailing courses and very good at delegating jobs and getting sponsorship. Paul is very keen on all racing, including offshore. Major events – Women’s Regatta, Wine Race, New Year regatta, and Tarakohe are well on the way.
Mandy Carpenter is our hard-working/do-anything Rear Commodore House. Mandy is taking over from Clive who worked tirelessly coming up with new ideas for House functions. Mandy has a team of great volunteers in her committee. She wants to see our great clubhouse used more.
Volunteers are many – from licking stamps to doing dishes. They are very important to WBC. We would find it very difficult to do all the jobs without them. I thank them all. We will have a Volunteers Night during the year to celebrate them.
The Club is doing a costing on enlarging the bar, closing in the upstairs (so upstairs can be used separately), and repositioning the stairs. An awning has been funded through Grants on the northern side of the deck area.
WBC needs to look at the future with a new Marina of 240 boats soon to go ahead. We would hope to get at least 100 new members – moorings and clubhouse size are being looked at to accommodate these.
We have become members of Clubs NZ. Lisa is finding this partnership most helpful.
Allan Graham was bestowed as a Life Member at the AGM. Allan did two Commodore-ships and was a huge worker during the change form old club building to new building – and is a great supporter of the Club.
A special thank you to all helpers, sponsors and grant providers of WBC. We need all the help we can get to run events.
I will shout the racing fleet if over 50 yachts finishing a race, over the club bar.
Have good fun racing and cruising on the water and comradeship in the Wardroom bar this year.
Best regards,
John Jackson
Commodore