Commodore Bids Farewell at DBSC's 61st AGM

A huge turnout gathered on Friday night for DBSC’s 61st AGM. There was suspense and anticipation in the air as members assembled to find out who would take over from our fearless Commodore, Luke Parker, who was stepping down to spend more time with his family. Before the question of the night was answered, Commodore Parker made the most of the night by celebrating the season past.

In 45 minutes, we held the Presentations for Lasers and Big Boats and heard reports from each of the executive (abridged version: all’s well, finances are sound but tight, please help with fees and donations).

A highlight was the presentation of Clubman of the year – Peter Collie. As we all know Peter is a regular at the club, always there with a smile, ready to help. He holds the tongs at every BBQ, he rustles people up for twilight and winter sailing, and he looks after our function hire. Everyone agreed that DBSC would not be what it is without Peter’s help. Congratulations!

Finally, the moment of truth was upon us – the election of our new leader. After 10 seconds of hearty discussion, it was unanimously agreed that Andrew Cox would become DBSC’s new Commodore. Andrew’s vision for the future will be the subject of next week’s newsletter.

For now, let’s thank Luke for 4 great years of leadership. You can check out his entire farewell address here.

There were certainly many toasts to Luke’s reign during the post-AGM dinner. Thanks to Paul, Shirley and Deb for the wonderful food and thanks to all those that came and helped make the transition of power a smooth and festive affair. 

Luke Presides Over His Final AGM

Update from the Delta Lloyd Regatta

Finn and Marlena did DBSC proud by participating in The Delta Lloyd Regatta held in Medembilk, The Netherlands. Both did well in an extremely competitive field -- Finn placing 8th, and Marlena 60th overall.

Here are Finn's thoughts as he jetted back home: "The medal race was intense, to say the least... with the top 10 best sailors in the world put against each other on a super short course close to shore, it was bound to be a close race. The points were really close, so my plan was to sail the race like any other... The start went really well and I was popped out on the leeward end and ended up crossing most of the fleet... The race went so quickly, a total blur, and was really tricky to find the time to look around and get into the rhythm of the race... with heaps of boats around, the waves were really choppy and messy (just like Double Bay) so downwinds were quick and required a high degree of precision. I finished 7th in the medal race, overtaking the Cypriot Pavlos Kontides (2012 Olympic Silver medalist) on the final downwind. I secured 8th overall and I am really happy with that result."

Congrats to both Finn and Marlena!

Finn at the Delta Lloyd Regatta

America's Cup

For those with Foxtel, the cup is on at about 6am each morning. Sure it's a sport for a few very rich blokes, but racing at over 40  knots is spectacular. Worth waking up for.  

Big Boats to Race Sunday

The next big boat race - the first of the three winter races - will be held this Sunday June 4. The race will retain the regular format - a 1.00pm start, same marks, VHF 72

Please let Jonathan Stone (jonathanston@gmail.com) know if you'll be coming. Jonathan would love to see you out on the water. As he says, "These winter afternoons can be delightful sailing!"

Big Boats Sail at a Recent DBSC Race

Why have a meeting this Friday if democracy is flawed?

To maintain our tax-exempt status, and allow you to make tax-deductible donations, we have to organise an annual general meeting, so our 61st People's Congress is scheduled for this Friday night at 7pm.

Some might ask that because democracy, as practised with the the "one-person, one vote"  method is flawed, should we even bother with attending and the pretence of voting?  The answer is yes, due to DBSC improvements made to the historical "all people are equal" model.

Put simply we are considering weighting different people's votes differently.  Here is the summary:

• 100 votes for Dear Leader, The People's Prince and anyone else who has been Commodore for more than 4 years.
• 100 votes for The Wise Master, with another bonus 150 votes if Madam Wise Master agrees.
• 50 votes for Life Members
• 1 vote for every toastie made by the Canteen Captain up to a limit of 1,000 votes.
• 10 votes for each Sunday volunteered in the Canteen by the Canteen Crew .
• 5 votes for anyone who has sweep the floor of the clubhouse or picked up other people's rubbish or done any other volunteering unprompted.
• Pi votes (rounded to 3.142) for any STEM student or graduate.
• 2 votes for any millennial without a tattoo.
• 1 vote for any financial member.
• 7 votes for 4.7 sailors, to be voted as a block, because they seem to do everything together 

As you can see from the fully researched vote weightings we have overcome the historical problems of past voter eligibility criteria (i.e. property ownership, having testes, or just being a human being).

Alternatively, come along on Friday and vote old school. One vote, per member, perhaps. 

There will be free beverage and food opportunities after the presentation and the short formal meeting.

East Coast Championships 10-11 June

The East Coast Champs is on at GRSC on the 10th and 11th of June.

Laser 4.7s and Laser Radials are all included with no age restrictions.

To enter:https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=285465

NOR http://websites.sportstg.com/get_file.cgi?id=36190672

Lost...have you found it?

Did anyone find - aqua fleece and pair of sailing thermo socks have been found by someone either in the clubhouse or outside from 2 Saturdays ago?  It was lost during the YST training session by one of the youth DBSC members new to the club.

If so, please let Clare know at secretary@dbsc.com.au

AGM RSVPs

By now you should have received a "paperless post" invite from Madame Secretary for the AGM.  We do this to ensure there are adequate eats for the post formality feast, so please use the auto RSVP ASAP.

If you didn't receive a bait, don't despair, just reply to Clare at secretary@dbsc.com.au with name and numbers

Letter from a DBSC fan

our newsletter travels far and wide, to members, other sailors, and a host of fans who like to read our rants and raves. The following are a few editted words from a cyber fan.....it's an amazing world we live in.......

Thank you VERY much for your continued sending your emails to me.

I am a 79 yo sailing tragic and intend to (if possible ) to Live to 150 –just to ‘bugger the Gov’t up’ – if at all possible.

I was an Army sailor for 4 Syd—Hobarts –73,74 & 75

I was the then the senior watch-keeper on the Parmelia race (from Portsmouth, Uk- Capetown- to Fremantle (we only came 5th across the line)

I have also sailed almost the length of Bass Strait—back in’67 on my wee Red jacket (it was a 17’ 3” L.O.A. Trailer sailer –round Gabo Island clockwise and high-tailed it back to Portsea

i did a couple of tours of duty in Vietnam  as an interpreter and linguist

On my second tour I was tasked with showing folk how to sail a corsair; specifically it was my job to make any ‘wanna bees’ acceptable crews  -- great fun was had by all I assure you

My last decent race was in the Inaugural Sydney to Rio – round Cape Horn ( of course) again I was a watch-keeper. Sadly it was the ONLY race over this ‘distance—although it WAS THE INAUGURAL RACE IT WAS THE ONLY ONE SO FAR.

At this time I do not have a yacht of ANY shape or size anywhere near my home , but I do a ‘bit’ Of kayak racing  -- but that is fitness and strength AND a wee bit of genuine ‘skull-duggery’ and the distances are quite short  usually less than 30 K’s- - - - -  which suits me Poifectly! ! !! ! ! ! !

 Kind rgds to all and Go the new piles  -- glad I haven’t any at this time of my life

How to donate for the urgent work

Hadrien with a H (and hijab)

While our sister club in Europe, Yacht Club de Monaco, is fully funded by the member's annual subscriptions, DBSC relies on members volunteering their labour, random (tax-deductible) donations and very modest annual subscriptions to fund its world-class Laser racing program and humber timber clubhouse. 

Each funding model has its own pros and cons, as expounded by dual-member, Hadrien with a H:

"Back home, it was so easy to pay a big annual fee and then just drive and park the 488GTB at the club, leave the blazer in the locker room while the paid crew gets the Farr40 prepped and then enjoy the attention of the Russian guest workers after the racing.  When I heard that DBSC was a sister club I expected the same.  How surprising that DBSC was not only different, but better.  The fees are lower, I discovered that I liked doing the volunteer stuff, and best of all I didn't have to wear the designer stuff.  I even got to wear a hijab in a non-judgmental, socially progressive environment."

The point is action is required if you still want to race Lasers in the world's biggest club fleet.

We have $50k in the bank and $50k of expenditure on the remedial works occurring in the next two months, so we need money to do all the other stuff (engine maintenance, anti-fouling committee boat, etc, etc)  over the winter-break necessary to ensure we have world-class Laser sailing from August 1.

To donate to the work to fix the piles of the website, the relevant part of the ASF website is: https://asf.org.au/donate/dbsc-development/.