Friday, 2nd October 2020
CORRESPONDENCE TO SYC Members via email on Friday 2 October
Dear Members,
As we all continue to navigate the ever changing waters surrounding SYC, called COVID-19, I hope that we can all start to see the current conditions starting to abate. In recent weeks we have been given some hope and recently marina visitation rights have improved for boat owners and the boat yard re-opened for servicing works this week. We have also been advised that boating is now permitted for members who live within 5km but there is confusing wording on the DHHS website about accessing your boat from the marina. We are seeking clarity and we will be in touch as soon as it is cleared up.
As you would expect, it is the clubs intent to re-open all areas as early and safely as we can and we hope to be making more positive announcements in the short term. In the interim, our COVID-19 web page has all the up to date detail including the SYC roadmap – read more here.
General Committee have now agreed the SYC Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 November at 8:00pm. The format of this meeting will determined by the restrictions in place at that time, but hopefully we will be able to have a number of Members physically in attendance as well as attending online. Please ensure you enter this date into your calendar. We will be reporting to you on our all-important financial position and we will be trialing a slightly different format to make the meeting more entertaining, and we also have some important awards to hand out – so please join us.
I can also confirm that Opening Day is now locked in for Saturday 5 December in the theme of Red &White. All details will be sent to you but please start your planning and I hope this gives us all something to look forward to. The format of the day will need to be extremely different to what we consider “normal” but I am sure we will find a way to make it a successful day. As we approach the day and the re-opening of our club more generally, we will take into consideration all government limitations as they relate to:
- On Water Boating – events and recreational
- Crowd Numbers within open and closed areas
- Number of People allowed on boats
- Clubhouse limitations
On another positive note, on behalf of all at SYC I would like to congratulate the following Sandringham Yacht Club members that have recently won the following Australian Sailing Victoria Awards:
- Official of the Year – Steve Aulich
- Volunteer of the Year – James & Chris Mitchell
- Discover Sailing Centre of the Year – Club Marine SYC Boating Academy
- Junior Sailor of the Year – Matty Goss
- Offshore Sailor of the Year – Jason Close
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Ian Wall (Wallie)
- Female Sailor of the Year – Tess Lloyd
Congratulations to all of the above members, you have made us all proud. We also wish them good luck because as State award winners they are now finalists in those categories at the Australian Sailing (National) Awards.
As we continue to “live” our second lockdown, it has become very apparent that the clubs financial position has been underpinned by the strength of our Marina and its high occupancy. During the last six months, our boat owners have continued to support the club with their berthing costs while not being permitted to use their boats. An enormous and gracious “thank you” to all boat owners but specifically those in the marina who pay the bulk of the fees. In recognition of this loyalty and commitment to our great club, we will be writing to all of our marina tenants who have paid 100% of the full fees throughout COVID-19 and we will be issuing them with a $250 boat yard voucher. This voucher will be valid for 12 months and can be used by SYC Members for SYC services in the boat yard. The CEO Richard Hewett will be writing to you all in the next week or so with the detail. Maybe a quick lunch time gurney in preparation of our anticipated return to racing and cruising.
While I remain very positive that SYC will bounce back post COVID-19, we need to remember that we are a member based organisation. Without the ongoing support of all of you in renewing your membership in a timely manner, our recovery will be slowed. If you have not renewed your membership at this stage, our staff will be in contact to discuss the different options that we can assist with so you can remain a member. I am sure the nights of having 500 people in the Port Phillip Room dancing to Mental as Anything will return. Thank you to all of you that have already committed to either the 100% or 75% Membership subscription option on offer.
I must pass on my thanks to our loyal hard working staff, our General Committee and my fellow Flag Officers for all the work going on behind the scenes. Whilst partially closed, I think it’s been busier than when we are trading normally and I have loved every minute.
Please continue to play by the rules and remain safe so we can go boating once again in the very near future.
And remember, to lose patience is to lose the battle.
Ashley Trebilcock
Commodore