Wednesday, 7th September 2016
The Stirrer of the Year for 2016 was announced at the Annual Club Ball on Saturday 3 September. There was a standing ovation as the announcement was made that Tommy Raft was this year’s recipient.
Before the announcement, Commodore Kate Mitchell explained the award and why she made her choice as follows:
“The Stirrer’s Award is one of the most coveted awards at SYC. It is presented annually to a SYC member who is passionate about our Club and always cares about the wellbeing of our Club. A person who is not afraid to let Committees know when they think the Club is going off course, but – Stirrers are not a whingers or negative, rather they make suggestions with humour and are upbeat and positive.
Stirrers stand out from the crowd, are leaders in our Club, but in their own special way.
This person certainly stands out from the crowd and has stood out from the crowd since joining our Club in 2000. This person has worked on committees and special events for the last 8 years adding his own brand of expertise and humour to the event, always thinks outside the square, sees a different side of a problem, offers a solution no one else would have thought of, puts his own touch to an event and in fact – adds his own brand of humour to everything he touches and he certainly promotes events in his own unconventional and colourful fashion. This person is the lynchpin to some of our social events and one of the most generous people I know.”
Tommy not only got his name etched onto the perpetual trophy, as our resident ‘Bookie’ for Melbourne Cup Day celebrations in the Members’ Bar, it was only apt that he look more of the part with his own Bookies Bag!
Congratulations Tommy!