60 years on … Reflections from Leigh Lansdown
At our recent AGM several members celebrated major membership milestones. One of these was Leigh Lansdown who reached his 60 year anniversary as a member. We thought his reflections worth sharing…
On receiving advice of this “milestone”, I was reminded of Groucho Marx’ famous quote…..
“Any Club that would have me as a member I wouldn’t want to be in…!”
To my recollection, I first came down to RBYC with my father in 1952. I would have been either six or seven, it was the old weatherboard clubhouse. It was usually a Saturday morning, and I would be taken straight to the old committee room, told to “sit down at the table, don’t move & don’t touch anything”.
This room was also the trophy room, lined on all sides by tall wooden cabinets. On top of the cabinet diagonally opposite was a stuffed Emperor King penguin which to my young eyes looked about six feet tall.. it had beady red eyes which of course looked straight at me, which was quite unsettling, to say the least. This terror would be occasionally relieved by my father bringing in a glass of sarsaparilla & assuring me that he “wouldn’t be much longer”.
Summertime was much better as I was allowed to sit on the upstairs balcony. The pitched corrugated roof of the club was easily accessible by stepping over a low rail, and the roof could be climbed up to the peak where you could sit and see fabulous views down the bay & north to the city.
Unfortunately, I don’t get down to the Club as much anymore, but whenever I do, I walk through the big front doors & feel welcome & at home. Inevitably our ranks are thinning, but I can usually catch up with some of my peers in the bar.
I have always considered it a great privilege to belong to this club. It’s been sixty years of great fun & enjoyment both on and off the water, and for that I would like to sincerely thank RBYC and you, the members. Thank you
