WSC enews: an unusual start to the season, Lipton Cup and upcoming events

An unusual start to the season, Lipton Cup and upcoming events

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November 2016

Well it has certainly been an interesting start to the sailing season this year with numerous weekends having races abandoned due to strong winds.

We are still looking for suitable candidates for the acting secretary and office assistant roles. See below for details.

Looking ahead to the new year the CoM will begin the review of the Club’s Strategic Plan, this will occur in February and be followed up with members workshops. The CoM also recently approved the reallocation of most of our reserve funds into longer term deposits. The purpose behind this is to maximise the interest gained and begin the important works of creating specific building or project funding pools.

Congratulation and well done to our members who represented WSC in the annual Northern Port Phillip Bay Inter Club Fishing Competition this month. I’d also like to pass on a big thank-you to James for all his contributions on the fishing articles and involvement over the past two years in organising fishing competitions and events.

In closing just a reminder to all members who have not paid their annual membership to please urgently do so. Access to the club will be limited to a current and paid membership.

Simon van den Berg | Commodore

Lipton Cup Regatta - 19 and 20 November

The Lipton Cup Regatta is on this weekend. For Off the Beach boats, racing is on Saturday 19 November, for other divisions there is also racing on Sunday 20 November. Off-the-beach racing will be conducted by Williamstown Sailing Club and Port Melbourne Yacht Club on Saturday 19 November. The first warning will be at 12:00 with 3 races. Find more information on the website.

Photo Michael Tolhurst: capsize training for learn to sail on 12 November

Sailing news

Discover Sailing Day - Sunday 8 Jan

Peter Behrendt is still seeking volunteers to assist in our Discover Sailing Day on Sunday 8 January 2017. If you can assist in activities such as, boat retrieval, facility tour-guides, cooking on the BBQ, lifejacket fitting, on water sign on/off personal, tower/ communications, and most importantly on-water skippers of OTB and trailable boats (6 skippers for each group) to help out on the day. Even if you can only volunteer for an hour - the more the merrier. Iif you're available please touch base with Peter.

Sailing World Cup and club races

Once again the Sailing World Cup is being hosted in Melbourne in the St Kilda precinct between 4 - 14 December. During this time WSC will be hosting and conducting sailing races for Port Melbourne Yacht Club.

Last year 44 sailors joined in this combined club races, the race format will be multiple races of windward returns. Keep an eye out for any special race ‘notice to competitors’ on divisions and any other minor changes to the sailing instructions for that weekend.

Club racing

Just a little feedback from the sailing and race management committee. A few sailors have submitted incomplete season documents, whilst others have forgotten to sign on or off. This has resulted in those boats receiving a Did Not Finish (DNF) - so double check your season and safety forms and remember to sign on and off for each race. The sign off time limit is the same as the protest time limit (60 minutes after the last boat has finished). The finish time for the last boat of the day will be noted on the course board and sign-on/off sheets.

Social news

Sunday breakfast at the club - 27 Nov

The Social Committee is trying a new activity this month – a Breakfast at the Club session from 9 - 11am Sunday 27 November. We will have a menu of bacon and egg or vegetarian rolls, fruit toast, fresh fruit salad, yoghurt, juice, tea and coffee. Make the most of the great location, stop off on your Sunday morning walk or bike ride and come and enjoy a short break at the club. Helpers always needed. A few kayaks will be available for those interested in having a short paddle.

Mexican food, bar open and live music - Friday 2 Dec

Our regular first Friday night of the month functions have started again for this season. Come and enjoy some great Mexican food and liquid refreshments while listening to live music from local group ‘The Angelicats’. With a diverse range of songs, incorporating a range of instruments and vocal harmonies, they will leave you feeling good. Grab some friends and family and come along for a pleasant evening - the first Friday night of summer! Bar open from 6pm, food and music from 6.30pm.

Xmas party - Saturday 10 Dec

Bookings are now open for the WSC Xmas party, so get in early and guarantee your ticket. This is a family friendly event. We are planning to have live music and dancing, with a great spread of food. Adults $30, children (5-18) $10, families $70. Order tickets E: social@williamstownsailingclub.org.au or buy them at canteen on Saturday mornings. The evening will start at 7pm

Xmas hamper raffle

The Social Committee will run a Xmas hamper raffle that will be drawn at the Xmas party, as a fund raising activity. We will use these funds towards purchasing more games activities to be used in the upstairs area, and to purchase extra catering equipment. We are looking for club members to donate items for the hamper – ideas could include food, confectionary treats, wine, spirits, gift vouchers, small garden accessories, socks, cosmetics, picture frames, board games, etc. All donations can be handed in at the canteen on Saturdays. Tickets for the hamper raffle will be on sale at the canteen during December. Please help us to make this a super Xmas hamper. Your generous donations will be appreciated.

Club facilities

There have been a few minor transgressions of the club by-laws with respect to the use and operation of our boat ramp. It is important that all members who use this facility be aware of these rules. Members who breach the club by-laws can have their membership suspended or cancelled.

A few key rules in relation to vehicles and access to the boat ramp:

remember that 24 hour access is needed to the ramp, so don't park across any of the gates
cars must not to be parked on the grass areas on either side of the ramp
only trailers may be parked on the grass area on the north side of the ramp; cars are not to be left here or stay attached to trailers while you are out in your boat
cars with trailers are not to be parked on the residential side of The Strand
do not drive your boat up onto your trailer, use your winch instead.

See our website for all full ramp procedure information and rules.

Xmas party - bookings now open

Bookings are now open for the WSC Xmas party which will be on Saturday 10 December, so get in early and guarantee your ticket. This is a family friendly event. We are planning to have live music and dancing, with a great spread of food, lots of merriment and festive celebrations. Adults $30, children (5-18) $10, families $70. Order tickets through social@williamstownsailingclub.org.au or buy them at canteen on Saturday mornings.

Fishing news - inter club competition

The annual Northern Port Phillip Bay Inter Club Fishing Competition between WSC and Albert Park Yachting & Angling Club (APYAC) was hosted by APYAC over the weekend of 12 - 13 November.

This year three WSC boats competed in the Interclub competition. Weather conditions weren’t favourable, with 20-30 knot north-westerly winds as predicted.

Tony and James left at midnight and fished until 3:30 am, catching only one flathead and having lots of bait taken by small pinkies.

Allan, Trevor and Budge took off at around 5am. The only snapper caught was by Allan O’Brien who took out second prize for the heaviest bag at 3.8 kg. First prize was won by an Albert Park member with a fish weighing in at 5.7 kg.

TACKERS school holiday training programs

Are you looking for a great Xmas present idea for your own kids or grandkids, nieces or nephews? A TACKERS course may be a great present. The club will be running a variety of TACKERS 1, 2 & 3 training programs in the January school holidays.

If you have children or grandchildren, or friends who you think would like to do the courses, please come and talk to the TACKERS staff and helpers on Saturday mornings or email tackers@williamstownsailingclub.org.au. Information about the programs can be found on the club website.

Help needed - volunteers…

Acting Secretary

The role of club secretary is currently vacant and is a critical role within the club. Over the past few months both the Commodore and Treasurer have undertaken many of the additional responsibilities of the secretary role. The Committee of Management (CoM) is seeking the assistance from any member who is able to undertake the role in an acting capacity. The acting secretary would be responsible for: distribution of monthly CoM agenda; taking minutes of CoM meeting and distribute to CoM; monitoring and responding to general emails sent to the club; receiving new member applications; arranging new member inductions meeting; liaising with Flag Officers, Treasurer and Membership officer on new member applications; and issuing access cards. Anyone interested in this role can contact the Commodore on commodore@williamstownsailingclub.org.au.

WSC office

The Committee of Management (CoM) is seeking the assistance from any member(s) who are able to assist in an office on Saturday mornings. The role would be to assist the treasurer and acting secretary with general inquiries, welcome guests and tours of the facilities. Having an additional person in the office every Saturday between 10 - 11:30am creates an opportunity for the club to welcome potential new members and better service our existing members. Anyone wishing to undertake this role can contact the Commodore on commodore@williamstownsailingclub.org.au.

enewsletter and website

Calling all professional digital comms people... Fiona would love to train someone in how to send out the enewsletter and update the website. If you have the relevant skills, please email admin@williamstownsailingclub.org.au.

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