Tim Wilson (Goldstein, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Earlier this month, club members, flag officers and dignitaries were greeted with a sunny morning for the official opening of the Brighton Yacht Club season. In attendance was the Bayside/Glen Eira brass band as well as guest of honour, Commander Joseph Kempton RAN, to officially open the season along with Father Bill Goldman, who performed a blessing of the fleet. Thank you to Mandy Jackson's Nutrimetics and Kona Brewing Company for providing prizes to the all-in-pursuit race winner Laura Harding and her ring-in crew. Special thanks go to Kate Jenkins as lead organiser of the day and to Bruno Carreto, who organised the catering and entertainment.

I would like to wish the flag officers and general committee well for the summer: Commodore Paul Pascoe, Vice Commodore Peter Strain, Rear Commodore Peter Coleman, Club Captain Paul Jenkins, Honorary Treasurer Peter Demura and general committee members Brett Heath, Catherine Hurley, James Leckey, Marnie Irving, Niesje Hees and Steve Ingram.

Secondly, I want to acknowledge the Beaumaris Motor Yacht Squadron, who also kicked off their boating season, with their 59th annual sail past. It looks set to be another successful year of promoting recreational boating and providing a social environment for cruising, nav rallies and fishing for Beaumaris residents and beyond. I would like to acknowledge the BMYS office bearers: Commodore David Bell, Vice Commodore and Boating Director Les Sabo, Rear Commodore Michael Busuttil, Finance Director Hein Preller, Site Director Shayne Benedict, Fishing Director Brendon Hocking, Social Director John Giuliano, Club Secretary Simon Bartaby and Past Commodore Ross Popplewell.

I am also looking forward to attending and joining Commodore Gary Lokum for the opening day at Black Rock Yacht Club this weekend. Best wishes to the Black Rock Yacht Club committee for the upcoming season: Vice Commodore Lara Blasse, Commodore Mark Taylor, Immediate Past Commodore Mark Taylor, Secretary Mark Jackson, Treasurer Gary McLennan, Sailing Captain Andre Blasse and Rear Commodore Nik Wallis.

Finally, who could forget the mighty Sandringham Yacht Club? I trust all of their club members were well in their launch only a couple of weeks ago, which I wasn't able to attend, because I was out supporting other community events. I trust club members and visitors will be in good hands this summer with this important leadership, particularly Commodore Ashley Trebilcock; Vice Commodore Garry Anderson; Rear Commodore Sue Bowes; sail club captains Daniel Edwards, Simon Hemingway, David Suda; treasurer, Scott Sampson; and general committee members Paul Commins, Kevin Hibberson, Phil Simpfendorfer and Bill Stubbs.

All of these sailing clubs and yacht clubs play a critical part in the Goldstein social infrastructure to make sure that, at all stages of life, people are able to engage in healthy activities, outdoor activities, using the beauty and the natural asset that is Port Phillip Bay, which sits on the perimeter of the Goldstein electorate.

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