The Yachtsman 2017-2018 Yachtsman 2014-2015 | Page 9
13_Yachtsman 2015.qxp_Yachtsman Magazine 19/08/2015 4:28 pm Page 9
Club Yachting
RPAYC Wins ‘Best Community Engagement Initiative’ Award
By Stephen Collopy
Program at The RPAYC provides volunteer and financial support to integrate sailors
with disabilities in to the club’s regular sailing programs. Central to the program
are the activities of Sailability and Paralympic Gold medallist, Dan Fitzgibbon who
purchased and modified Another Challenge and sails it along with many other
disabled and able bodied sailors in the club’s regular weekly racing program.
Dan recently competed in the Sydney 38 Nationals hosted by the RPAYC finishing
a very credible 7th. The class association modified its class rules to enable Dan’s
vessel to participate in the one design regatta. He then followed up with a 2nd
in his division at the Sydney Harbour Regatta in March. Dan enthused “this is
such great recognition. When I talk to sailors from other disabled sailing programs
every single person is so jealous of the amazing way the RPAYC has embraced
our IdS program. The club and every single person involved in the program should
be proud of our achievements! Thank you everyone for your support.”
Upon hearing the news, Paralympic Gold Medallist Leisl Tech was thrilled, “Well
deserved to RPAYC! If the whole of Australia is saying congrats, imagine how
happy we, as members (with disabilities) are!!! It is an absolute honour to be a
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club wins ‘Best Community Engagement
part of such a supportive club, and I thank you all so much for the great work you
Initiative’ for its Integrated disabled Sailing Program and is a finalist
continue to do for all of us members!”
in the Club Marina of the Year category.
The award reinforces the importance of the club’s investment in disabled sailing
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) has been awarded with the ‘Best
with a development application before Council to ensure that its hardstand facilities,
Community Engagement Initiative’ in recognition of its Integrated disAbled Sailing
where many Sailability vessels are stored, enables participants dignified and easy
Program. The award was presented by the Marina Industries Association (MIA)
access to their sailing vessels.
at the marine15 International Conference and Trade Exhibition held on the Gold
Coast 3-5 May. Marina Industries Association President Andrew Chapman said The club was also one of the final three contenders for Club Marina of the Year.
the competition for the Awards was the strongest ever and a record number of On this occasion they narrowly missed out on the award which was awarded to
entries had been received from Australia and other countries. “It is a sign of the The Royal Perth Yacht Club.
growing strength of the marina
industries that we are celebrating the
excellent achievements of the winners
and finalists at marine15.”
RPAYC wins Best Community Engagement Award. - Photo Credit: Marine Industry
After accepting the award, the RPAYC
General Manager Suzanne Davies
commented, “we are very proud of
this award and it will recognise the
efforts of many participants,
volunteers and all club members who
have so generously shared their club
and helped raise funds. Dan
Fitzgibbon, in particular will be very
excited, as will John Bacon who is
the chairman of the club’s Board and
owner of Link Healthcare who are
the major sponsor of the IdS!”
Warriewood based Link Healthcare,
are a Pharmaceutical and Medical
Technology business, who have
financially supported this program
from its inception.
The Integrated disAbled Sailing
The Christening of Another Challenge – Dan Fitzgibbon, Bronwyn Bishop and Leisl Tesch
2015 Edition
9