The Opening Ceremony for the new Q Jetty began a gala day of celebrations at the opening of the new sailing season for Hillarys Yacht Club on Saturday, October 7th.

Highlighting the trials and tribulations of the drawn-out saga of removing the old collapsed jetty and its replacement, Commodore Kerry Lewis was proud and relieved to be able to see all the new pens occupied and ready for the new season thanks to the great work of the committee consisting of Graham Townsend, Jim Suffield, Keith Wood-Gush and Rod Sweet. Also behind the scenes was the HYC Marina Facilities Committee which had already done a huge amount into researching available jetty structures on the market. “We thank all of these Members who contributed so much to come to what is a very satisfying result”- Kerry Lewis.

The Commodore took charge again for the official season opening with coverage of the activities and successes in each of the sections of the Club and recognising the retiring and incoming flag officers before firing the cannon, signally the season open and the commencement of the traditional sail past. Dinghies and paddle craft were followed by yachts, Alibi and some very impressive luxury power boats.

Retiring flag officers who stood down at the AGM:
Mark Taylor, Stuart McKay, Marshall Fox (now Vice Commodore), Rod Sweet, and Paul Skinner, Honorary Treasurer, all received a gift of appreciation at the recent AGM.

The Commodore presented burgees to the incoming flag officers: 
Vice Commodore Marshall Fox, Nathan Hearn, Rear Commodore Power (accepted by Kevin Hinds), Jos Colvin, Rear Commodore Sailing, Mark Hull, Rear Commodore Marina Facilities and Luke Gibson, Honorary Treasurer. And introduced the rest of the flag officer committee: Vice Commodore Graham Townsend,
The Commodore also introduced the Members of our new Management Committee:
Graham Townsend, Marshall Fox, Luke Gibson, Deborah Childs, Martin Mileham, Ian Patterson, Des Riley, Jon Tomkins and himself, of course.

Sponsors
The Commodore: “Our sponsors have assisted us greatly through the year, and I wish to acknowledge them and thank them for their support: Minprovise, Carpets Online, Corsair, Fullworks Fire Service, Ramsay’s Airconditioning, Automark, Mansfield Marine Brokers, Trident Insurance, Oceaneer Marine Brokers, Brown Neaves Investments and Pacific Finance.”

Kerry also thanked the large number of volunteers and staff who worked behind the scenes to bring the myriad of Opening Day events to fruition.

HYC 25-Year Recognition Pins

The following were recognised for 25 years of Membership at HYC:
Bill Barclay, Michele Barclay, Ranald McDonald (Macca), Joanne McDonald, Cornelis van der Wiele, Gail van der Wiele, Roland Gee, Lynne Gee, Maureen Schulze, Kerry Lewis, Maree Lewis, Kay Jonasson, Lindsay Hill, Elizabeth Hill, Graeme Stewart, Wayne McGrath, Sonya McGrath, Brian Walsh, Robynne Walsh, Vernon Cook, Gillian Cook, Stephen O’Keeffe, Raelene O’Keeffe, Ann Gleeson. May your membership continue.

Commodore’s Cup

The main event for the sailors is the Commodore’s Cup, and the dinghies sailed in a brisk breeze in the morning to get results; however, despite an encouraging start in a 5 knot nor-westerly, the breeze petered out, and the race for the keelboats had to be abandoned. That signalled a race back to the marina and the bar.

Congratulations to the winners of the Dinghy Commodore’s Cup:

Optimist Open 1. Swamp Rat (A Brooke); 2. Swordfish (T Van Horn)
Laser 4.7: 1. Club Boat (L Wild); 2. Club Boat (R Tutty); 3. Aurora (J McInnes)
Laser Radial: 1. White Wolf (B Dick); 2. Otters Pocket (A Milne); 3. White Wash (W. Bagnall)
Laser Standard: 1. Recalcitrant (T Menken)
125: 1. Nautical Velocity (E Tutty & W Bagnall); 2. Sweet Shiraz (A Schmidt & M Schmidt)

Keelboats

Tim Tucker entertained a buoyant crowd with results for the first over the start-line, presenting a bottle of wine to Sophia, Blue Chip and Lithium in divisions 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Blue Chip also took the prize for the silliest hat.

Photography Competition - Supported by ArtsEdge Photo & Frame.

Winner of the Photography competition was Carol Lyon with her colourful photo “Reflections of Perth City” with Andy Tilbury’s black and white “Salty John” runner-up and the old jetty featured in Ian Jones’ third placed “Birds on Old Jetty”. Carol’s enlarged photo will brighten the wall somewhere in the Clubhouse in the near future. Prints can be ordered through reception.