Onshore Newsletter
Message from the CEO
After the driest September in 159 years, it was good see some rain this morning. However no sooner had it started than it finished and the sun came out. Not that blue skies and sunshine are difficult to take first thing on a Monday morning, but Rushcutters Bay Park is looking very dry and brown these days.
With the club entering one of the busiest times of the year, made even busier with the refurbishment program, I thought it an opportune time to give you a snapshot of just some of the projects the hard-working senior management team are focused on.
Finance
Having now crossed the half way mark in the club’s current financial year and with the Hobart Race rapidly approaching, stage 1 of the refurbishment nearly complete and stage 2 about to be signed off, the Finance Manager James Butchers and his team are busy preparing half-yearly management reports to keep us all on budget.
Sailing
Sailing Manager Justine Kirkjian and her crew in the Sailing Department will soon be consumed with processing this year’s RSHYR entries which close in 18 days, on top of overseeing our weekly calendar of members' sailing leading up to Hobart and YSA events.
The team are currently busy with the Blue Water Pointscore which is now in full swing, it's Newcastle Bass Island coming up on Friday, and of course Monday and Wednesday twilights have started.
Short update on Hobart - to date we have 70 entries with the 12 Clipper boats still to enter.
Operations
Operations Manager Michael Neumann is wearing a few hats at the moment, including a hard hat. In addition to overseeing the general operation/maintenance of the club and marina, he is also overseeing much of the refurbishment works on behalf of the club, working closely with the builder Belmadar and the array of contractors to ensure the best possible results are achieved for members and staff. And if that wasn’t enough, he is project managing the construction of the Sydney and Hobart race villages.
Communications
Following a lengthy and very thorough process of seeking the collective views from all CYCA committees on the key components of a new club website, the Technology Committee formulated a brief which is now being managed by CYCA Marketing and Communications Manager Ross Macdonald.
Ross is working in conjunction with website developer Member Point who has existing relationships with two key software providers to the club - Top Yacht and Micropower (existing software provider for the management of our Accounts, Membership, Marina and point-of-sale) - providing an integrated solution to many aspects of the club’s operations.
Ross’s fresh approach and experience in journalism and media (demonstrated with the recent drone coverage of the start of the Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Race) has been a welcome addition to the team’s skill set across all aspects of the club’s communications.
Member Events
The sold out Mumm Champagne Tasting on Sunday with Mumm Champagne Ambassador Kaitlyn Tremblay was well received and will hopefully become an annual event.
Mumm are a valuable supporter of the club, providing product and prizes for many of the club’s functions and fund-raising activities.
Thanks to our House Events Manager Marina Gibson again this year for her staging of this event.
In Marina’s new role she oversees the organisation and delivery of all house events and works closely with Blond Catering in pitching for new function business. Marina is also working with our suppliers to provide activation events, such as the Mumm Champagne tasting, to enhance the members' event calendar and the Sydney Race Village during December.
Strategic partnerships
A new addition to our Hobart Race Village engagement program this year is a digital art competition called ‘Batten down the hatches’ which is being promoted through the Tasmanian Department of Education and is open to high schools in Tasmania .
CYCA Commercial and Business Development Manager Kathy Symons secured a sponsorship of prize money from University of Tasmania for three place-getters. Adding further to the credibility of the promotion in year one is the acceptance by internationally renowned, and locally-based photographer, Richard Bennett, to be one of the judges.
We hope to be working with the UTAS and the Australian Maritime College in some new and exciting ways courtesy of this initial project…from little acorns!
In addition to preparing sponsorship proposals, contracts and sponsorship delivery, Kathy has been working extensively on numerous, diverse grant applications to offset club expenditure in a variety of areas.
Kathy’s broad commercial portfolio also includes merchandising and the club’s volunteer program.
So there you have it - just a few of the projects the team is working on to make this a better place for members today and into the future.
Finally, a few other important points
Gilbert 'Tig' Thomas Memorial Service
We were very sorry to hear of the passing of Gilbert (Tig) Thomas, a Middle Harbour Yacht Club Life Member, on Wednesday 30 August, 2017, aged 91 years. A memorial Service is planned at Middle Harbour Yacht Club on Monday 16th October at 12 midday.
Melbourne Cup at the CYCA
With canapes, a 2 course seated lunch and a decadent dessert station all provided by Australia’s Venue Caterer of the Year, Blond Catering, you and your guests are sure to dine in style! The day will be filled with entertainment by MC Wayne Shapiro and music by Kartik Kuna, sweeps, prizes and much more!
Bookings are essential. Please call the Events Office on 8292 7892 or email events@blondcatering.com.au
...and Welcome McWilliam's
We're delighted to have McWilliam's Wines join us as the support sponsor for the Monday Twilight Series. The prizes for Monday's racing just got very exciting!
Club News
Read the wrap up from the weekend's racing action - Race 1 of the Mount Gay Ocean Pointscore and Race 3 of the Short Haul Pointscore
Blond at CYCA
Bistro Specials and Melbourne Cup follow below but check out Blond's CYCA page by clicking the logo above
PONANT is the title sponsor of the PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race 2018
Meet Mick Fogg on 24 Oct at PONANT's information session at the CYCA – Marine Biologist; Award Winning Wildlife Photographer and leader of over 300 expedition cruises through Asia Pacific.
Read on for more information or click here to attend event
Dear CYCA members,
Join us for a glass of champagne and light refreshments while learning why PONANT is the World Leader of Luxury Expeditions and why we have partnered with CYCA to be sponsors of the PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race 2018.
PONANT has been calling in mythical ports and little-known anchorages only accessible to smaller ships for almost 30 years. We invite you to hear about the fascinating voyages of discovery we offer globally, including Antarctica, the Arctic, the Kimberley, the Mediterranean, Asia and much more!
Aboard PONANT ships, the newest and most modern in the cruise sector, refinement and comfort take inspiration from nautical references: somewhere between chic and casual relaxation. Our sophisticated design and intimate size give passengers the feeling they are on a private yacht.
Tuesday 24th October 2017
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia - Freya Room
2-4pm or 6-8pm
Special Guest Presenter: Mick Fogg – PONANT Expedition Manager will be sharing his expedition experiences to the world’s most interesting regions. Come join us for light refreshments and exclusive offers available on the day. Spaces are strictly limited so register asap to avoid disappointment.
As polar and tropical expedition cruise specialists, PONANT will take you far from the busiest maritime tourist routes to explore a range of fascinating destinations in the Arctic, Antarctic, Oceania, Asia, and South America. Join the specialist Expedition Team on Zodiac® outings and encounters ashore that include exceptional wildlife and interactions with indigenous people, many of whom rarely see visitors from the outside world.
If you prefer tranquil cruising or sailing, visiting memorable destinations redolent with history and ancient cultures, while also taking time to rest and relax, discover our unique concept of yacht cruising by PONANT: a new art of travelling across the seven seas, combining discovery and relaxation in a luxurious setting aboard intimate ships, part of the youngest fleet in the world.
ANTARCTICA THE ARCTIC ASIA AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & PACIFIC
THE AMERICAS CARIBBEAN EUROPE RUSSIA
For more information about PONANT please click this link
RSHYR 2017 - Official Spectator Vessels SELLING FAST
Bookings are being taken for the 73rd running of the race with the Magistic II now sold out. Spaces remain on the John Cadman II.
Click here for more details
CYCA SOLAS TRUSTS DINNER with TOM SLINGSBY
Commodore John Markos, together with CYCA SOLAS TRUSTS Chairman David Kellett and the CYCA Associates Committee, extends an invitation to all CYCA members, ocean racers and guests to attend an evening in support of the CYCA Safety of Life at Sea Trusts with guest speaker Tom Slingsby
One of Australia's most decorated sailors, Slingsby is an Olympic gold medallist and was the tactician and starting helmsman on the line honours-winning Perpetual Loyal for the 2016 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. He is also well known for his role as tactician onboard ORACLE Team USA in the recent 2017 America’s Cup.
During the course of the SOLAS evening, a Silent Auction will be held with a range of high quality items available on which to bid.
Thanks to strong support at events such as this, CYCA SOLAS TRUSTS have granted over $1 Million to search and rescue across Australia
Tickets $125.00 per person including pre-dinner drinks, three course meal and wine
Date: Friday, 20 October 2017
Time: 19:00 for 19:30
Dress Code: Lounge Suit
Location: CYCA Freya & Morna Room
RSVP: By 16 October 2017
Book online by clicking here
School Holiday Course – December bookings now open!
From Tuesday 19 December to Friday 22 December, the CYCA Youth Sailing Academy will run a 4 day sailing course on-board the YSA Elliott 7s. These are fast, stable and fun skiff style keel boats to sail. The course is open to students aged 13-18 whose sailing experiences range from very limited to reasonably competent and are interested in keelboat sailing. Enrollment forms can be found here.
Member Badge Draw Sponsor - Magdalena Photography
Badge draw now at $1,400 and will be held this Thursday.
Members' Badge Draw, LTPS/17/11941, is conducted in the Coasters Retreat between 6pm - 7pm.
Members drawn last Thursday:
3293 - Gordon Fell
4796 - Cecelia Smith
2668 - Victoria Anderson
1014 - Michael Goodbun
YOUNG MEMBER'S SURVEY
The CYCA's Young Members Committee has designed a survey for members and non-members aged 18 to 40, to understand better the club wants and needs of people in this age group.
Members and non-members who are in this age category are requested to share their thoughts with the club through the survey links below. The survey will not take more than 5 minutes to complete.
Discover Sailing with the Pacific Sailing School at the CYCA
The next introductory session is next Tuesday 24 October from 1800hrs - 2100hrs at the CYCA.
Click here - My friend is keen to Discover Sailing
Our Calendar of Events
And of course for those who know the ropes already and want to improve their skills, PSS has a number of other more advanced courses on offer:
RYA Yachtmaster Navigation Course
- 5 Sundays – 29 October, 5, 12, 19 and 26 November
- Private two-person course available anytime
RYA Day Skipper Theory
- Part time commences 17 October
- Full time 12 to 16 January 2018
RYA Day Skipper Practicals - 5 Days and 4 nights on board (All provisions inclusive)
- October 20th to 24th
- November 17th to 21st
- November 24th to 28th (with Lisa Blair)
- December 8th to 12th
- January 17th to 21st 2018
International Certificate of Competence (ICC)
Starting Sailing – Fast Track Competent Crew
Marine Radio Licence
- 11 November
Safety and Sea Survival courses
- 14 and 15 October
- 25 and 26 November
- 2 and 3 December
- 15 and 16 December
Bistro special - Members - Available now
Reward for your loyalty – Buy 9 coffees and receive the 10th one free. Please present your members card to the bistro staff.
Tuesday 7 November – Melbourne Cup
On Tuesday, 7 November the race that stops the nation is on again… so join us again for a Melbourne Cup to remember. With stunning waterfront views over Rushcutters Bay and exclusive use of the private balconies of the CYCA – home of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, there is no better place to enjoy a Melbourne Cup lunch with your friends, family or colleagues.
With canapes, a 2 course seated lunch and a decadent dessert station all provided by Australia’s Venue Caterer of the Year, Blond Catering, you and your guests are sure to dine in style! The day will be filled with entertainment by MC Wayne Shapiro and music by Kartik Kuna, sweeps, prizes and much more!
Bookings are essential. Please call the Events Office on 8292 7892 or email events@blondcatering.com.au
Monday 25th December - Christmas Day
ookings are now open for Christmas Day.
Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch including traditional Christmas dishes, market fresh seafood and indulgent desserts.
- $150 per adult
- $50 per child 5-10 years
Members discount of 10% available.
Bookings are essential. Please call the Events Office on 8292 7892 or email events@blondcatering.com.au
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1 New Beach Road, DARLING POINT New South Wales 2027
