GC Report from the Commodore

Last night was my final General Committee meeting and next month is my final AGM as Commodore. I’ll confess to a range of emotions, but mainly gratitude for having been entrusted with this role at our wonderful club for the past two years. As you can see later in this newsletter, I’ll be handing over to a most capable team led by current Vice Commodore Peter Demura, and a General Committee consisting of both incumbent and new members. Their experience and commitment to the club is truly impressive.
Any turning point is a time of reflection. Several conversations over the past few weeks have led me to considering what makes a club. As part of our 150th anniversary a history is being written by club members Don Warner and Jon Scanlon. That will pay tribute to the various milestones in the club’s history and, importantly, capture the sense of community that is more intangible. When I joined the club in 1991 it was simply to find a boat to crew on. At that point, the connections were quite transactional. Over time this led to firm friendships and enjoying the camaraderie of a shared interest. I was busy with work and didn’t spend a lot of time at the club apart from Saturday racing. Over the years I became more involved in club activities, taking on volunteer roles with the Melbourne Etchells fleet and standing for General Committee. The more involved I became, the stronger the connection to the club. I am looking forward to many more years of sailing and volunteering at RBYC.
For several members, the club is a valuable mental health lifeline. For others it is an integral part of their weekly routine. However, it is also true that new members may find it more difficult to make connections and find their place in the club. I challenge all of us who are comfortable in the club to reach out to newer members to make them feel welcome. This is sometimes difficult but well worth the effort. If you own a boat, consider inviting a new crew member on board (contact the sailing office or access the crew match app). If you see someone you don’t know in the members bar or restaurant, consider introducing yourself and having a chat. It may not work out, but on the other hand you may make someone’s day as well as your own.
In my final four weeks as Commodore, in amongst all the work to be done, I’ll pay special attention to the glorious sunsets from the members bar and the warm smiles of friends I have made. Life is full of challenges, and our club is no different, but we are incredibly fortunate in our splendid location on Port Phillip.