ITW # 22.06 - Friday 11th February 2022

Fellow Members,

I hope you’ve had a great week and are getting back into the swing of things.

Weather

If you blinked earlier this week you would have missed the first couple of days of good weather we’ve had for some time. It’ s hard to disagree with Sail Cruising Group Chairs Dean and Sally Johns’ expressive, non-meteorological terminology in their update below, especially with yet more Strong Wind Warnings potentially impacting on this weekend’s delayed resumption of our schools racing program for 2022. As always, the Race Committee will make an 11:00 evaluation on just how ‘invigorating’ conditions may be.

WAGS

Having said that, our own Paul Bolton must have a direct connection with the Weather Gods as he ordered and was delivered perfect conditions for WAGS this week after last week’s narrow escape. The fleet numbers rebounded to a near-record of 54 in first-class conditions.

New Members’ Night & Hobart Homecoming

RSVP numbers are looking very promising for both our New Members’ Welcome Night next Friday (18th) and our HOBART Homecoming event the following week (25th), with around 100 and 200 positive responses respectively, so far. With the State Government’s recent relaxation of indoor capacity limits, and barring any COVID-related ‘hiccups’ in the interim, we should be able to get quite a buzz happening in Flags to welcome our Squadron newcomers, in particular. (Remember, though, that mask-wearing is compulsory indoors except when eating or drinking.) The Hobart Homecoming is being eagerly anticipated by all and is shaping up to be a great evening. There’s still time for you and your family to join us at both events - CLICK HERE to email your RSVPs.

Moreton Bay Multi Hull Regatta

It’s great to see entry numbers are rising for this year’s Moreton Bay Multihull Regatta (24th-27th March), with a mix of repeat contenders and some first-timers. RQYS will do our best to find berths for regatta entrants but, as can be seen by a glance across our marina, space is at a premium so early contact with the Marina Office is strongly recommended.

Pacific Games - Lasers

Australian Sailing has contacted us asking if we have any members that would be willing to donate Lasers, in working order, for the Pacific Games which are to be held in the Solomon Islands in a few weeks’ time. Ideally six boats are required, so if you have a Laser lying around that is taking up space and collecting dust, or if you know anyone that does, perhaps you’d like to help progress sailing at one of our nearby Island neighbours by donating a boat to help them out. Contact the Sailing Office if you can assist.

Canaipa

Great news this week in that we received the final approval that we needed to proceed with the development of our second building, with a working title of “ The Longhouse”. This building will be constructed on the site of the old Caretakers’ cottage and will transform Canaipa and its usability for members. While there is still much to do on many fronts before we can start construction, this final hurdle has at last been cleared.

RQYS Constitution

I’ve been a bit quiet on the upgrade of the Constitution, but for good reason. The working group got to a point just before Christmas where we started to question the number of necessary updates to bring the document in line with current legal requirements and to generally provide more clarity surrounding the processes of the Squadron and whether or not those changes provide us with the outcome we have been looking for.

Our external Solicitors then suggested that there was a relatively new Constitution template for Not-for -Profit organisations which would cover all of our statutory and legal requirements and into which we could simply insert clauses that were relevant to the Squadron and our membership and we would end up with a document that would serve us well for decades to come.

And so, that’s what we’ve chosen to do. We received the first draft of the new document this week, and the working group will meet shortly to finalise the document as a draft for publication to the membership for comment and review. Once that exercise is complete, we can then decide the next steps. That is, depending on member feedback, there may be a view that we need a couple of more information nights prior to proceeding to an SGM, and we can determine that as we progress.

That’s about it from me for this week. If you’re out on the water this weekend, I hope to see you there, but please be mindful of the forecast conditions. They look like being a bit brisk!

Your Commodore,
David Redfern

Last Saturday was blown out for both training and Club racing, and the forecast for this weekend is much the same. Training is on for the Squad this Saturday morning with Club racing in the afternoon (subject to the Race Committee's 1100hrs conditions assessment).

All being well, Sunday should see Round 1 of the Schools fleet racing, Sunday is also a Combined race scheduled with MCC hosting the Race. The start times are consistent with RQ’s 137th Sailing Season for Division Yachts Sailing Instructions. Skippers can download a copy of MCC Course book HERE and the Sailing Instructions HERE The forecast is for 11-14 knots, gusting 20kn.

SAILING CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

• Saturday 12th
  RQYS OTB Day 14 (Squadron Champs 5)
• Sunday 13th
  
• RQYS Schools Racing (Fleet) Day 1 / Div Race Day 10 (MCC / Squadron Champs 5) Passage Race 8 Div.Boats
• Saturday 19th
  RQYS OTB Day 15
• Sunday 20th
  RQYS Schools Racing (Fleet) Day 2 and Kingfisher Race 3 (QCYC) Div.Boats

Safe sailing, and see you on the water.
Mark Dingley
Sailing Manager

SCG Simple Sundowners Cruise : 12th-13th February - NOT!

Ahoy, cruisers! The weather is not playing the game and we seem to be in the 'crappy weekend weather' cycle. We had seven boats registered however I’m sure the weather played a big part in people's decisions. We have had a couple of the group withdraw for which I can’t blame then. We still plan to catch up over dinner and we can decide at the briefing if we would still like to head to a more sheltered anchorage, postpone or cancel. Please let me know if you plan to come to the dinner so I can make sure we book enough tables.

Dean and Sally Johns, Sail Cruising Chairs 21-22
M: 0419 274 822      E: sailcruising@rqys.com.au

For those following the cruise to circumnavigate Tasmania, Nicky C, Scarlett, Lalapanzi and Auspicious have all arrived in Tasmania safely. They have had great conditions for the trip down the coast and experienced some great anchorages along the way. One of the last anchorages on their journey was Trousers Point Beach on the southwest corner of Flinders Island where they ventured up to Strzelecki Peaks, just a five hour walk. I encourage those that use Facebook to friend them so you can see the great photos. They are all currently anchored in the Tamar River to restock and prepare for the circumnavigation ... READ MORE

FIRST NEW MEMBERS' WELCOME EVENING FOR 2022

Ticket cost of $35 per adult and $10 for children under 18 includes a welcome drink and canapés. Smart casual dress. RSVPs by Monday 14th February (advising of any dietary requirements) to Reception on 3396 8666 or by email to memberfunctions@rqys.com.au

Hand sanitiser stations will be plentiful and, in line with the current legal mandate, mask-wearing will be compulsory while indoors except when eating and drinking.

UPCOMING EVENTS AFLOAT

• 27th February: Myora Cup (Sailing)
• 27th March: Squadron Champs 7 (Passage race 10)
• 5th-6th March: Brisbane Women's Keelboat Cup
  and the Myora Cup (Powerboat Navigation)
• 24-27th March: Moreton Bay Multihull Regatta
• 26-27th March: Brisbane Etchell Fleet Championships
• 3rd April: Squadron Champs 8 (Passage race 11)
• 21st-22nd May: Canaipa Cup

In the last week, Moreton Bay Multihull Regatta entrants are up by 50% and, with just over a month to go until racing commences in earnest, the fleet is within striking distance of surpassing last year's numbers!

To have your boat or any new sails measured for OMR, contact MYCQ measurer Geoff Cruse on 0409 968 421. For berthing, RQYS will work hard to get all boats a berth, however they are in short supply. Please contact the Marina Office once you have entered to register your interest.

We received some very positive feedback on last week's debut of this new component of ITW and have some interesting updates from MSQ to summarise here. Probably the most significant development, particularly for Brisbane River cruisers is:

063(T) - KANGAROO POINT GREEN BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION COMMENCING

Construction works will commence downstream of Gardens Point, Town Reach on Friday 18 February 2022 for the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge. Barges and support craft will be deployed, a 6 knot speed limit has been established and anchoring will not be permitted in the construction area . Access to moor and berth at shoreside infrastructure within the construction area is permitted. READ MORE

Other matters of likely relevance to RQYS readers this week include:

• 062(T) - CABBAGE TREE CREEK (SHORNCLIFFE) DREDGING
  Work will commence on Valentine's Day and is expected to be completed by the end of May. READ MORE

It's been a mixed bag for navigation marks recently, with one unlit, two destroyed or missing, and one new mark established (with a caveat):

• 061(T) North West Channel NW2 mark is unlit
  
  
• 058(T) Rous Channel #17 starboard beacon has reportedly been destroyed so one of the Bay's favourite navigational challenges just got even trickier - again.
   
• 057(T) The St Helena North Cardinal has been "reported missing" and, as it's unlikely to have been souvenired or popped out to the shops, is more likely having an existential crisis and may be lurking below water.
   
• 054(T) Spinnaker Sound Marina on Bribie has a new special mark beacon at its entrance - but the remains of the former starboard entrance beacon may also be lurking unseen close by.

That's the round-up for this week but always remember: the onus is on skippers to visit the MSQ webpage and inform themselves of relevant issues. Readers can refresh their memory of last week's inaugural MSQ NOTAMs summary HERE

Remember, too, you can also sign up to the Commonwealth Government's free email advisories about changes affecting your choice of local charts and publications, both paper and electronic.

REMEMBER THAT WE'RE FOR THE BIRDS

A reminder to drivers and those moving or towing boats to exercise caution - particularly on the main driveway between the inner gates and the Marina/Sailing Office - as our resident Lapwing Plovers are rearing another clutch of chicks and road safety is not in their curriculum.

Breeding season continues through late summer and into autumn and unfortunately we have had fatalities on the grounds before. RQYS Media extended this message to social media during the week and the he 'aaaaw factor' drove thousands of hits, likes and shares!  More about these birds here

RQYS MYSTERY PIC

Sometimes, ITW will have an odd space to fill (like the module above right) - or the editor needs to give in to a bit of whimsy - so we thought we might try a little 'mystery pic' exercise. The images will be from only RQYS - afloat and ashore at Manly - and will hopefully tickle the mind into pondering the preview extract of the full image. Where around the Squadron might it have been taken, what's in the image and what's going on? If this puzzle catches on, we may even make it a little competition, perhaps with a monthly prize ...

(With this edition of ITW lacking a 'word of the week' driving readers to the nearest dictionary the mystery pic may be a scintillating - oh dear - substitute.)

Place your advertisements on the RQYS website for free! To view current adverts or to add your own CLICK HERE 

DOCUMENTS AND POLICIES

Importantly, the RQYS Child & Young People Safety Policy has recently been reviewed and updated, with particular attention drawn to the following clauses:

• Statement of commitment
• Code of conduct
• Recruitment, selection, training and management
• Reporting disclosures and suspicions of harm
• Managing breaches
• Risk management plan for high-risk activities
• Managing compliance with the blue card system
• Communication and support.

Please CLICK HERE to view RQYS Documents and Policies, but note that many are currently being reviewed, revised and/or updated, and that key changes will be summarised here.

APPROVED TRADESPERSONS

Please CLICK HERE to see the Approved Trades & Contractors List.

You can also check our MAINSHEET 2021's expanded TRADES and SERVICES Directory in the fully-searchable, interactive 'one-click-contact' eMagazine ONLINE HERE