We are saddened by the passing of Joseph (Joe) Bucek who had a long association with the RGYC and has a remarkable life story.
Migrating to Australia from Czechoslovakia after World War II and enduring prisoner of war camps, he made the journey with the love of his life Addy (Dutch) to settle in Geelong and start a family with nothing but what they arrived with.
With no sailing experience they introduced their kids to sailing and the success began, amongst the achievements were Cadet Club, Victorian, Australian & World Championship titles, Laser title,s and Addy junior representing Australia at two Olympic Games in the 470 class.
Addy Senior was known and appreciated by all in the early 80's for her tireless work running the RGYC Cadet Canteen.
Joseph & Addy's grandson Josh Dunkley Smith has also represented Australia at the Olympics in rowing on 2 occasions and holds the indoor rowing world record for 2,000m.
Joseph was a clever, self-taught man who learned to assemble computers and write code before computers could be purchased over the counter and was consider ahead of his time.
The Bucek family is well known for the family business that perfected the process of founding magnesium and manufactured sacrificial anodes for anything from boats and ships through to large scale transmission towers.
Joseph was an artist in his spare time and used his creativity to paint and make jewellery, with his skills he would often use electroplating to gold coat his work.
With the family business and son Jender (also an artist) the family created the "Poppy Kettle Men" which have been and still are a feature on our waterfront for close to 40 years. The story of the "Poppy Kettle Men" was a children's tale about the Portuguese keys found at Limeburners Point and are supposed to be the first discovery of Australia. The Bronze statues are still prominent on the waterfront park on the West side of Cunningham Pier.
Joseph was a private man who was comfortable with his own achievements and never looked for recognition
We pass on a sincere condolence to his beloved & doting wife Addy and children Front, Jender, Addy, Sophie (Deceased) and Yvor
The funeral will be held Monday the 16th of January at 1:00, Crawford's Funeral service on the corner of Coppard's & Portarlington Rd
Sunday 15th January
Fireball Come and Try (1:00pm)
Come & Try Fireball Day! Sunday 15th January 2023
With the World Fireball Championships fast approaching in February 2024 there has never been a better time to get yourself a boat.
Used boats are available ready to race from between $4000.00 and $15000.00.
These boats are usually between Winder and YMS hulls, are on or below weight ,stiff and competitive .
Any one looking for a boat should be able to find what they want on the “Fireball Australia Buy & Sell”
Face book site or the fireball-international.com web site “boats for sale”.
Contact Myles Gavin on 0418109326 should you have any questions.
Please click HERE for an updated review and informative article about the Fireball by the Draycote Water Sailing Club in the UK .
OTB Boat storage over FOS
Unfortunately there will not be any space in the yard to store boats belonging to mixed fleet OTB sailors over FOS. However, Cadets do have an area allocated for their boats. Could mixed fleet OTB boat owners please make the effort to take boats home over this period.
Cadet 6th Fleet Sprint Series – 29th January 2023
The Notice of Race is now available on the RGYC website. Entry is open and free for all 6th Fleet members.
Racing will be held on Sunday 29th January from 12:30pm. Due to rolling road closures associated with the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, access to RGYC will be limited during the Festival of Sails weekend. Visiting or boats stored off-site will not be able to trailer their boats onto club grounds on the day and should make alternate plans to launch from Eastern Beach, Limeburners or St Helens.
There are a number of SailGP opportunities for young sailors coming up over the upcoming sailing season. There are two options to apply for – the Waszp Inspire Racing and the Inspire Careers program.
SailGP Inspire Racing x Waszp - KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix
Date: 15th-19th February 2023
Location: Sydney
For all sailors under 21 who are interested in foiling, this event is aimed at creating a diverse generation of sailing stars. Sailors will learn to fly - thanks for foiling technology - and race amongst the best sailors in the world.
