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Congratulations Graeme Watt – Lifetime Achievement Award

Thursday, 21st September 2023

Congratulations Graeme ‘Watty’ Watt on being awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Victorian Sailing Awards on Friday 15 September.

Graeme’s unwavering dedication to Sandringham Yacht Club spans an incredible sixty-nine years, during which he has not only been an avid participant in countless club events, ocean races, and championships, but has also made significant contributions as a committee member, race officer, and mentor. His commitment to sailing and his invaluable roles have left an indelible mark on the SYC community.

Here’s just a snippet of some of the reasons why Graeme was such a deserving recipient of this award:

  • Joined Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) in 1954 as a 13 year old junior sailor and held his continuous membership for sixty nine years.
  • Participated every season in club events as skipper, crew or race management.
  • Competed in fifteen Sydney to Hobart Races and many Victorian ocean races.
  • Winner of many club championships.
  • Served on General Committee for eight years.
  • Served five years as Club Captain Sail and one as Rear Commodore.
  • Currently a member of the SYC Foundation and the Heritage committees.
  • Received an appreciation award for contribution to junior sailing at SYC.
  • Was on the SYC committee that organised the inaugural and subsequent Melbourne to Osaka races and acted as the starter several times.
  • Was the Race Officer for the first Melbourne to Vanuatu and return to Queensland races.
  • Appointed as a State Race Officer in 1997, National Race Officer in 1999 then progressed to International Race Officer in 2008 This qualification is still current.
  • Officiated at over fifty state, national and world championships and Admirals Cup Trials on Port Phillip and the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney.
  • Assisted in training volunteers in race management.
  • Awarded Clubman of the year 1987 and Life Membership 2008.
  • Family have all been involved at SYC with wife Margot awarded Clubman of the year and later life membership in 2015. Both daughters joined the club and sailed in the OTB.

Well done Watty, an incredibly deserving award!