Sail Away Jan-Feb 13 - Albury-Wodonga Yacht Club - Yachting ...

Jeff Stirling
It is hard to believe that January has come and gone, and we are well into the second half of our sailing
season.
We have enjoyed good water levels at Lake Hume for sailing activity and for enjoying the view from the
clubhouse. The tide is well and truly on the way out at present with the lake at 60 something per cent,
but the place still looks fantastic and there is oodles of water for great sailing and socialising.
January has seen the club being used extensively following a very enjoyable night for New Year’s Eve.
Numbers were down on last year, but with organisation earlier and more promotion I believe we can
host a very successful function next year.
Special thanks to the club juniors for stepping out of their comfort zone in putting on an excellent
concert for us! Congratulations – you really added to the fun of the night.
January saw the club host the RL24 National Titles with our guests prolific in their enthusiastic
feedback. There was good racing and good socialising occurring all week.
The club has been the used for various groups for private functions, as well as Sailing for Everyone and
a very busy training program with positive feedback on all fronts. Thanks to all the volunteers
contributing in all sorts of ways to make the club an enjoyable place for members and guests.
If you are a member who has not been out to the club in a while, come out and have a look. We have a
wonderful spot with shady, green lawns, a first rate café operating, good water quality and plenty of
room for you and your guests.
Training has commenced for use of the Defibrillator kindly donated by the Wodonga Apex Club. A great
opportunity to gain valuable skills – please see elsewhere for dates and times. Thank you to Terry and
Helen Kerr for their time and expertise with this training.
The club has had a successful half-year on the financial front due, of course, to the unrelenting work
being done by the training crew, the café crew, the on-water race management crew, the grounds
maintenance crew, the general helpers crew, and the members and guests supporting the various
initiatives and activities being undertaken.
The aim at the start of the year was to rebuild some financial reserves following last year’s heavy
investment in training assets and café facilities. We are in a position now to fully pay for the new boat
storage shed about to be constructed; to continue to improve club facilities in other areas; to build
reserves for next season; and to grow the club for the enjoyment of members and guests.
Completion of the shed is now a priority to free up the currently used area for other storage and to
improve safety in moving club boats around the club.
Please do not hesitate to have a chat to myself or other committee members about your views on the
club and the way in which we can continue to improve!
Cheers
Jeff Stirling
“Sail Away” January/February 2013