June 2010 - Boating Industry Association of NSW

Sunset and Evening Star ...
Steve Cutting
The BIA was sad to note the passing of Steve Cutting on
Saturday 20 February after a long battle with illness.
Steve was with the BIA for almost nine years. He came
into contact with many of our members in his role as member
services representative.
When members were greeted with “How can I help you
my friend?” they knew that Steve would do his best to find
the information they needed or solve their problem.
On a personal note, as a newbie to the BIA in 2005, Steve
was very kind to me. He was always ready with a smile and
information from his vast industry knowledge to help me out.
He made those first few months much easier.
Steve was a qualified shipwright who trained at the iconic
Halvorsens, at Bobbin Head. He worked in Western Australia
building large boats for a time before heading back east.
He was proud of the achievements of the Australian boat
building industry.
With his shipwright’s background and knowledge of the
industry Steve contributed tremendously to the development
of BIA membership and services during his time with the BIA.
Steve also helped steer the committees of the Shipwright
and Boat Builders Association (SBA) and Marine Industry
Mechanical Repairers Association (MIMRA).
Steve left the BIA to pursue other interests in 2007.
Steve was first and foremost a family man and his proudest
achievement was his family, his wife Kate and sons, David
and Jim.
He will be sadly missed at the BIA, and in the industry.
Christine Howard
John Hurley
10 April 1952 – 19 March 2010
The recent passing away of John Hurley after a long and
difficult battle with cancer saddened members of the sailing
community. John was a loyal member of the Sailing Industry
Association, a division of the Boating Industry Association.
John Hurley or 'Hurles' started sailing in dinghies and
progressed to representing Australia at Olympic level in the
Tornado class.
John joined Middle Harbour Yacht Club as a member in
1972 and came on board as Sailing Manager in 1998. John
was stalwart and loyal to the club and, as well as organising
the sailing program, took on the burden of much of the
administration.
John played an integral role in establishing Australia’s
largest keelboat regatta event, the Audi Sydney Harbour
Regatta as Principal and Chief Race Officer, Sailing Manager
and Administrator. He embodied the spirit of cooperation
between yacht Clubs on Sydney Harbour and regulatory and
safety authorities, including NSW Maritime.
He also played an integral role in managing numerous
state and national classes for various keelboat and dinghy
classes and led Middle Harbour Yacht Clubs race management
team for the 2000 Olympic Games, in addition to his annual
starting role in the Sydney to Hobart races.
More recently, he assisted at the Cruising Yacht Club of
Australia, filling in various race management and on-water
roles.
John lived and breathed sailing and, as all who come in
contact with John will attest, the sport literally was his life. His
attention to detail, his authoritative knowledge, and his skill in
managing successful safe events is simply legendary.
Our sympathies are with all John’s family and friends.
Leif Emmett Albertsen
On 22 April, the boating
industry sadly lost one of
its ‘characters’, Leif Albertsen.
Leif had over 30 years
experience in boating
commencing his career
delivering boats and as a
boat broker.
He was the presenter on
the Trailer Boat Handling
Made Easy DVD.
As well as the DVD,
Leif also gave practical
hands-on boat handling
lessons to legions of
boaties. He took great pleasure in
sharing his vast boating knowledge and many of
today’s boaties can thank Leif for giving the skills to make
their boating easy and enjoyable.
Our condolences go to his wife Sandra and children
Rochelle, Nicola, Kim, Cathy, Mark and Dean and his many
grandchildren.
BIA of NSW LOGBOOK June 2010 - 29