This will be my final Commodore’s report and after ten years in various roles as a Flag Officer and GC member I will be stepping away from the governance of the Club. First let me begin by thanking all the members, including Past Commodore’s, fellow GC members and mentors and the staff for their support and encouragement. It has been a privilege to serve as your Commodore over the past two years.
During the past year the Flag Officers and General Committee have delivered five key outcomes, that I believe, lay the foundations for the future of our yacht club.
Firstly, after many years of negotiations and delays, the Club secured a 21-year seabed lease from Parks Victoria. This now provides greater certainty for future planning and allows us to leverage our important marina asset should the Club choose to undertake future borrowings.
Secondly, sections of the attenuator have been sleeved and bearings replaced, while reports have been commissioned and initial discussions commenced on its eventual replacement,
Thirdly, the Flag Officers and GC, together with assistance from external consultants, reviewed the Club’s hospitality operations. The review concluded that outsourcing the Club’s hospitality operations was the preferred outcome. Following an extensive process and review of potential operators, the Club have signed a Management Agreement with Marco Di Pietrantonio and Paul Dimattina to oversee these activities. The expectation is that this will significantly improve both the financial return to the club, and our hospitality offering to our members, guests and visitors.
Fourthly, following a review of the Club’s OTB activities, the Club will shortly be a appointing a head coach to lead the development of the RBYC Development Squad. The classes will be the Opti’s and the World Sailing Youth dinghy classes i.e. ILCAs, 420s and 29ers. Based on the Australian Sailing Participation Programs (Green Fleet, Intermediate Fleet & Advance Fleet) resources and frameworks it will provide coaching, sailor development and a training program that is age and stage of development appropriate for junior and youth sailors. This will radically transform OTB sailing at RBYC and not only will it provide a pathway for RBYC sailors to remain at the Club but its envisaged aspiring youth sailors from other clubs will join the program.
Finally, interest in The RBYC Future Development Fund is growing and is well on the way to reach the initial target of $100,000 required to fund the development of the initial Masterplan for the Club. The redevelopment of the Club, including the replacement of the Jock Sturrock Centre with a world class training facility will strengthen RBYC’s position on Port Phillip. However, developments of this scale and magnitude will need your support through donations, bequests and sponsorship.
Our Club has always lived within its means and carried relatively low levels of debt. I believe these five developments, together with prudent financial management by experienced General Committee members and management, will provide the necessary resources to address many of the challenges ahead.
As Sarah Wilson notes in “I Eat the Stars”, the way to move forward through challenging times is through the three Cs – collaboration, co-operation and communication. The challenges our Club faces are not unique, but at same time will not be solved by destroying a culture so many have worked so hard and for so long to create.
Despite the naysayers, members at our club have a lot to be proud of. Not only do they have access to unparallelled hospitality facilities, but we also have very competitive racing fleets, including a nationally respected sailability fleet, an active and vibrant aquatic community, a strong representation of women in the governance and activities of the club, world class sailing infrastructure both on and off the water, a diverse range of social activities and the Club is a preferred location for major national and international regattas.
I offer the new Committee my best wishes and support.
Fair Winds and Following Seas my friends and remember no bananas at sea.
Peter Demura
Commodore