Op-Ed: can we do better

I refer to the recent politburo discussion paper of installing "12 pokies in the disable toilets" to help pay for the cost of re-piling the clubhouse: I think we can do better.

In terms of generating revenue, it is clear there are two significant economic routes we can take on the gambling front.  We can follow the path of Canley-Vale Diggers or Jamie's Barangaroo.  With that in mind, let's think about what we can do with our disable toilets.

Under the Diggers' approach we should be thinking of installing at least 30 poker machines in the disabled toilets, or go to a 100 pokies by using all three toilets.  Additionally, we could leverage our excellent culinary traditions in providing victualling for the gamblers (although 2-minute noodles isn't much of stretch.)  The downside would be the need for a roster of members to patrol the local streets to ensure the kids left in the cars do their home work.

Under Jamie's model, we go the high-roller route.  Baccarat, being the preferred game because it takes gamblers the longest to lose all their money, would be offered at one table with US$10k per bet limits.  Under this model we would have to employ some guest hospitality workers to provide the appropriate servicing of the high-rollers.  We would have to ensure that there was no European sunbathing by said guest-workers when the 4.7 fleet was training or competing.

Clearly, we can do much, much better than only 12 pokies.

PS:  For those of you who have flown business class or first class on vacation, here is another alternative: https://asf.org.au/donate/dbsc-development/, 

Membership fees overdue

One of the most unpleasant duties of the commodore is to chase fees.  I know it's not sailing season, so you're probably not even thinking about it.

But here's why it's important. 

We incur most of our large expense items in the off-season, not the sailing season. 

Our insurance is due in winter, our boats are serviced in winter, this year's piles and davit repairs are paid for in winter, club maintenance occurs in winter.

In fact, 75% of our expenses for this coming financial year will occur in the three months of May, June and July.  So even though you're not sailing, the club is spending. 

The low point in our bank account is going to be $6,000 in July, and that assumes the $27,000 of overdue fees are paid.  We need your money now.

Also, it takes a lot of time chasing up fees.  Your volunteers have to find time for this between all the other pressures of life.  It's the last thing they need. 

For example, Clare is about to have to send individual emails to 40 of you.  Think how much of her time that is going to waste.

We don't want to have to start moving boats around in the racks, which is about the only stick we have.  We're really not that sort of club.

Of course, if you can't pay now for whatever reason, let us know.  We will understand.  And if you're not sure if you've paid, please ask.

But other than that, please help us to remain the sort of club we want to be.  Where everyone pitches in and helps.  And we get done what has to get done because we want to.  No sticks required.

Thanks for your help with this.  PS, we would really appreciate your tax deductible voluntary donations too.

Roger Hickman Receives Posthumous Queen's Honour Award

Congratulations to Roger Hickman who received a posthumous Queen’s Honour Award over the weekend. He received a well-deserved OAM for his service to sailing. 

Roger receiving the Tattersalls Cup from CYCA Commodore John Cameron for his Sydney to Hobart victory in 2014.

Results from the East Coast Champs

The 2-day event for the East Coast Champs has been run and won! Day one light breeze and Day 2 no breeze. They completed 4 races on Saturday and zero races on Sunday, so the series was a 4-race series with no drops.

Well done to Marlena Berzins for winning the Radial Fleet Division out of 9 boats and to Jack Littlechild for 3rd place.

Congrats also go to Zac West, winning the 4.7 Division out of 11 boats and to Sylvie Stannage for 2nd overall and 1st Girl. Daniel Costandi, Mark Louis, and Brooke Wilson, all DBSC members, also sailed brilliantly in the championships.  

DBSC’s New Fearless Leader

On Friday 26 May 2017 a new era, for not only DBSC, but also for the worldwide Laser community, began when Andrew Cox (aka "troublemaker") was unanimously named Commodore.

Commodore Cox took little time to set out his ambitious agenda, promising sweeping changes to bring the club into the modern era. His biggest initiative is a major renovation of the clubhouse, of which the highlights include:

·      12 pokies in the disabled toilet

·      a full wet bar on the front deck

·      a DJ after club championships

·      a bridge between our front deck and the ferry wharf

·      a contract to make our front deck the launch point for the Island

To make his vision a reality, Commodore Cox has assembled a committee of like-minded individuals, namely:

Vice Commodore - Michael Osborne

Rear Commodore - Geoff Kirk

Secretary - Clare Alexander

Treasurer - Mark Crowhurst

Canteen Captain - Paul Adam

Yacht Representative - Jonathan Stone

Laser Representative - Ian Alexander

Social Secretary - Peter Collie

Property Officer - Gerry Donohoe (Jazzman)

Property Officer - Pat Levy (RIBs)

Handicapper - Darryl Lawrence

LTR Officer - Martin White

Newsletter Editor - Kirk Marcolina

CTO - Nick Pellow

Audit reviewer - Richard George

Some in the club compared the new direction to the efforts of other world leaders, saying, "Coxie is going to 'make DBSC great again'!”

Commodore Cox gave thanks to those who came before him, paying tribute to the leadership of Don Roach, Mark Bethwaite and Luke Parker.

Mark Bethwaite remarked, "I was initially concerned at the proposal to appoint a Radial sailor as Commodore, but I soon became more comfortable as I realised Andrew's plans are entirely aligned with the vision for the club we have all been working towards over the years."

You can read the Commodore Cox's entire maiden speech and learn more about the outgoing and incoming committee members here.

In the meantime, we hope you come by to enjoy DBSC’s Vivid entry (see photo below). It’s great to see Commodore Cox is already putting his unique stamp on the club.    

Photo by: Nick Pellow

Big Boat Race Report

Here's the latest Big Boat Race Report from Jonathan Stone:

It was a cool winter afternoon with a 5-10 knot southerly breeze ………. overcast, with only occasional sunshine.

Time & Tide sailed to Darling Point to begin sailing along the start line for a gate start. (There is a weakness in this procedure: in a southerly as today, we were in the lee of the Point, and we took forever to get moving. I will try and figure out some way of avoiding this problem - maybe starting the run a couple of hundred metres north of the Point)

As it was our visiting Jeanneau 30-odd footer Liaison won the start. She found a bit of breeze, was the first to cross behind our transom and was halfway across Double Bay before the rest of us got going. Time & Tide and  Corinna - the smaller boats - did next best and were close together at the first mark. T&T  had an overlap and turned just ahead of Corinna, but the wind was light and Corinna turned wide, getting the best of wind and moving ahead.

Liaison led the way to Taylor’s Bay but went very high, towards Bradley’s Head; and did not prosper there. Corinna sailed low, into the centre of the Harbour and hoisted her spinnaker, and cruised into the lead. On T&T, we poled our biggest headsail and did well, moving past Liaison into second place, but well behind the Corinna. Behind the two smaller boats the three 30 footers struggled for downwind speed. It was a close reach to Sow ’n Pigs but no changes of place, though Liaison found enough to challenge T&T all the way.

At Sow’n Pigs, Corinna and then Time and Tide began the work to Shark Island by sailing left, into Watson’s Bay; it was a good move, which allowed us to take advantage of any easterly shifts that came. Corinna did much the better and held a very comfortable lead from there to the finish. Time & Tide chased, as did Liaison, who slid into second place half way up the work. T&T tacked and ducked and - but for some traffic at the Shark Island mark - might have challenged for second place again.

As it was we all had a quiet last leg - ending a fun race, challenging in the ways that light airs always are.

We gathered in the 18 footer club (there was a family party in the DBSC Clubhouse) for a drink. Mind you, it wasn’t much quieter in the 18s - at this time of year the TV screens were showing the French Open and the local footy; and it was the day of terror attacks on London Bridge.

So we talked of sailing and the race and terror and more about the race and felt very lucky to have enjoyed peaceful, safe afternoon.

Over the line:

Corinna

Liaison

Time & Tide

Chenonceau

Smitten

We race next on July 2.

Marine Deals Direct 10% Off Discount

Marine Deals Direct, an Australian owned online sailing store, has offered all DBSC members a discount on purchases. Simply use the coupon code DBSC to receive 10% off of your order total.

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.