Commodores Report 15/7

Celebrating Our Members – Honouring Our History
On a landmark evening attended by over 130 members and guests, the Royal Brighton Yacht Club proudly celebrated its 150th Anniversary Presentation Night – a remarkable milestone in our Club’s rich sailing heritage.
The Club was delighted to welcome new members, while also honouring long-standing members and families whose connection to the Club spans generations. The evening offered an opportunity to reflect on our Club’s past, celebrate its present, and look forward to its exciting future.
A heartfelt thanks was extended to Colin and Julian from the Sailing Office; our hospitality team led by Caroline & Sammy: and the volunteers who polished the trophies and helped stage a memorable evening.
A highlight of the night was the display of the Club’s first-ever trophy, presented in the 1875–76 season – a proud symbol of 150 years of Royal Brighton Yacht Club history.
I’d like to extend my congratulations to all participants in sailing, Iceberger events and the annual pool tournament.
The winners of the major trophies were:
Aquatic and Social Awards
• John Loco swim ; Phil Hartford
• Olson Hooper Swim: Ken Floss
• Scratch Pool Winner: Glenn Norton
• Doubles Pool Winners: Graeme Cooper & Chris Sand
Youth and Junior Sailing
• Kings Cup – Optimist Fleet (King’s Birthday Weekend)
o Intermediate Class Winner: Edward Jukes
o Open Class Winner: William Rose
• Stonehaven Cup Regatta
o Otto A. Meil Team Trophy (Team Winners):
Boat 1007: Oscar Waldron, Mark Gyimesi, Michael Simopoulos
Boat 1003: Nathan Stanford, Oliver Martin, Edward Jukes
Boat 1058: Jenson Oldham, Eddie Barron, Aiden O’Connell
Stonehaven Cup (Winning Boat): Oscar Waldron, Mark Gyimesi & Michael Simopoulos
Cruising and Regatta Recognition
• Cruising Yachtsperson of the Year: Craig Walton
• The Celebration Cup (150th Regatta): Each class winner displayed on the Trophy
One-Design & Dinghy Classes
• RS100 Season Aggregate: Peter Milne
• Laser Season Aggregate: Damon Cook
• VX One RBYC Season Award (fleet contribution): Grant Christensen
• 2.4mR Season Aggregate: Peter Coleman (Australia II.IV)
• Dragons – Keith Storey Trophy: Chas Stanton (Amazing Grace)
• Etchells – Wayne Dixon Trophy: Ian Crisp (That’s Life)
Keelboat Division Aggregates
Hearnes Heroes
• J Bryan Linacre Family Cup: Geoff Adams (True Colours)
Division C
• Ingenue Trophy: Terry Frankham (Reliance)
Division 2
• Secours Trophy (ORCc Aggregate): Paul Woodman (Flying Fox)
• Horrie Petley Trophy (AMS Aggregate): Paul Woodman (Flying Fox)
• Edwards Cup (PHS Aggregate): Marg Neeson (Wild Child)
Division 1
• Vega Award (AMS Aggregate): Alan Woodward (Reverie)
• Brian Chapman Trophy (ORCc Aggregate): Alan Woodward (Reverie)
• Valhalla Trophy (PHS Aggregate): Alan Woodward (Reverie)
Special Awards
• Adam Stevenson Memorial Youth Encouragement Award: Oliver Martin
• Phil Bedlington Award for National & International Sailing Achievement: Peter Coleman
• J Herlein Sailor of the Year: Brendon Jukes
• John Crosbie Memorial Trophy (Club Person of the Year): Past Commodore Niesje Hees
• Commodore’s Award: Dennis McConnell
It’s been a terrific year for Royal Brighton Yacht Club — one filled with achievement, community spirit, and enduring tradition. As we continue to grow as a diverse and inclusive club, we also reaffirm our strong community connections and shared love of sailing and the sea.
Congratulations to all the winners and a warm thank you to everyone who made this historic evening possible. Here’s to the next 150 years on the shores of Port Phillip.
Wishing you fair winds and following seas and remember no bananas at sea.
Peter Demura
Commodore