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From The Chart Table March 2010

02-Mar-2010  

FROM THE CHART TABLE

Sailors with disABILITIES – President’s Newsletter

March 2010

 

In this issue:

· The Highs and Lows at the start of 2010

· Goals and Objectives

· Sponsorship and funding options

· Articles of Association and Annual General Meeting

· SBS Documentary series

 

1. 2009 - 2010

Well here we go again into a New Year and a new decade. Most of you will now be aware of our

success in the 2009 Sydney to Hobart with a 2nd in Division and 29th over the line after a relatively

quiet sail. It was far from incident free however, as you will discover on viewing the documentary.

The event was a great finale to the 6 weeks of filming and it was a great privilege for me to

represent the SWD crew on behalf of David Pescud at the presentation of trophies in Hobart.

Following the highs of the Hobart success came the tragic news that long time member and very

experienced and keen sailor Danny Kane had passed away while cruising in tropical North

Queensland. Danny who was always a keen sportsman suffered a stroke following a shoulder

injury and thereby became involved in SWD going on under David’s guidance to compete in

offshore yachting including Sydney to Hobarts. Danny was of course the loved son of Mim and

John Kane who continue to tirelessly support SWD in our administration and kids sailing

programmes.

Danny was a popular and successful yachtsman, obviously respected and loved as was shown

by the numbers at his funeral services both here and in Queensland. It was inspiring to see the

number of SWD members and friends who knew and sailed with Danny who attended to

remember him and support Mim and John in their loss. It indicates that we in SWD are more than

a disparate group of volunteers, but a team of friends and shipmates who can turn out in support

of each other.

 

2. Goals an Objectives

Your Committee has started planning the year ahead. One thing we all have agreed at the

outset:

There will be no 2010 Sydney to Hobart campaign automatically on the agenda. Do not

assume that SWD involvement this year might lead to a Hobart crew spot. Do assume

that SWD participation will change the lives of others.

So what are we planning?

SWD will concentrate on our core objectives of demonstrating, through sailing by disabled

young people that they can achieve, they can work as valued members of society, and they can

earn respect and achieve their personal goals. We will do this by:

· Continuing the trysail programmes for kids and disabled groups on weekends and

week days;

· Continuing to provide offshore and inshore racing training opportunities so that

disabled and ab crew can learn new skills and gain sailing experience. This will

include events such as Sydney – Newcastle, the CYCA Winter Series, and Sydney –

Southport.

· The Northern Campaign will be run again in 2010.

· The Day of Persons with a Disability Regatta will again be run in December, bigger

and better with an emphasis on corporate fund raising.

· The backbone of these programmes will be the on-going training of SWD volunteers in

boat and people skills so that we can man these programmes in house and with

competence and safety as paramount bench marks.

Hence we are establishing in house training platforms whereby you members can achieve your

own “trysail” objectives, provided you are willing to give back to SWD through participation.

 

3. Future Funding

I must acknowledge the continued generous support of Peter Draney and Syd and Margaret

French who direct funds via Australian Sports Foundation. This continues to be our only source

of external funding at this stage. We continue to desperately need a commercial sponsor so we

are looking for any opportunities. Please support us in promoting SWD as a great sponsorship

vehicle and we will follow up. We are hopeful that the documentary screening will not only raise

the SWD public profile but provide a stimulus for commercial sponsorship.

Our probono legal team are completing the requirements for SWD to achieve Deductable Gift

Status. As previously reported this will mean that we can accept personal and corporate

donations and disperse funds within the organisation as required.

The Committee is developing a plan for presentation to SWD members. It will be necessary to

change the body corporate structure and implement various administrative and constitutional

changes. The plan and specific resolutions need to be approved by members at an Annual or

Special General Meeting. We will need the support of 75% of members by personal or proxy

vote. Notice of the AGM and proxy vote forms will be sent to you soon. Please support us by

your follow up and involvement in this process which is so important to the future of SWD.

 

4. Documentary

The Sydney to Hobart and documentary crew attended the launch of the Secrets and Lives SWD

programme last week at an event hosted by SBS at the CYCA. I can assure you that footage we

saw was spectacular and the programme appears at this early stage to really show what SWD

are all about. Screening starts Thursday 18th March. Stay tuned.

David Leslie

President SWD

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Achievements

• David Pescud awarded NSW Maritime Medal