The Yachtsman 2017-2018 RPAYC Yachtsman 2016-2017 | Page 87

SESQUICENTENARY UNVEILING T he Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club unveiled its Sesquicentennial Welcoming Sculpture on October 15, 2016 which marked the beginning of a year of celebrations to commemorate the Club’s 150 years of sailing. Members and guests gathered for the celebration as well as the Club’s future generation of sailors who, with a little assistance, hoisted the sail to unveil the sculpture underneath. To design the sculpture, the Club commissioned sailing artist, John Woulfe to create the whole piece from start to finish. General Manager, Suzanne Davies commented that John Woulfe was a clear stand out in selecting an artist for the sculpture. “The RPAYC has a strong history which will carry on into the future through the members who have great pride in their Club and we wanted someone who could emulate that in the sculpture and John (Woulfe) shows that pride through his work.” Said Suzanne Davies. John Woulfe is an award winning sailing artist and sculpture artist and has felt both honoured and excited to be selected to create such a monumental piece for the Club. MEMBERS AND GUESTS GATHERED FOR THE CELEBRATION The sculpture took over six months to create and has been made out of two solid steel sails and a large spinnaker fabricated from 316 steel rods and sits on a carved sandstone block. The scu lpture represents the area we live in, the sailing community and sailing as a sport which encapsulates the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s foundations as a sporting and communal Club. YAC H T SMA N 85