CYCA announces new Commodore and Board of Directors

by Jennifer Crooks, CYCA Media on 21 Jul 2010 Members of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia elected well known yachtsman and marine industry identity Garry Linacre unopposed as their new Commodore at the club’s sixty sixth annual general meeting held on Tuesday July 20 2010.

Linacre replaces Matt Allen who completed his three-year term of office as senior flag officer of Australia’s leading ocean racing club.

The new Vice Commodore is John Cameron, who moves up from Rear Commodore, whilst the two Rear Commodores, Howard Piggott and John Markos, were elected unopposed. Paul Billingham was re-elected as Treasurer.

No vote was required last night for directors with Anthony Dunn (owner of RP 42 Equinox II) and Arthur Lane (owner of Beneteau Oceanis 46 Inkonkoni), joining existing directors, Geoff Bonus, David Chamtaloup, Michael Cranitch, and Nick Kingsmill on the board. Outgoing Director Richard Cawse, who has been a member of the Board for six years, did not stand for re-election.

New Commodore Linacre thanked Immediate Past Commodore Matt Allen for his eight year tenure as a member of the Board, and his last three as Commodore. 'Matt completes his three years as Commodore and he will largely be remembered as one of the most approachable, inclusive and popular incumbents to have served our great club in this office. During Matt’s time he strengthened our Youth Sailing Academy and his work on the Audit Planning and Risk Committee has manifestly helped our club reach the level of fiscal strength we enjoy today,' Commodore Linacre said as he addressed the meeting.

'Matt must also be congratulated for his work with the CYCA SOLAS Trusts in strengthening its reserves, raising its profile and carefully distributing benefits under the CYCA SOLAS Trusts charter. I am pleased to advise that Matt has agreed to stay on as Chairman of the CYCA SOLAS Trusts for the time being,' Commodore Linacre added.

Allen was presented with a framed CYCA Commodore's burgee, his Past Commodore’s badge and burgee to fly on his yacht by Commodore Linacre.

Garry Linacre, has been a director for the past ten years as well as serving for a short time in the 1980s. He has been the Chairman of the Sailing Committee for the last three years and a member of the Training & Development and Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Planning Committees, as well as being a director of Yachting NSW and a member of its Member Advisory Council.

Commodore Linacre has worked in various facets of the marine industry for most of his career and is currently the general manager of Navionics Australia. Born in Melbourne, Garry has represented Australia in many classes including Lasers and Etchells and has competed extensively offshore, sailing aboard well-known yachts such as Mercedes lll, Gretel, Superstar, Bumblebee lll, Apollo, Shockwave, Amazon, Windward Passage and Wild Thing. Garry served as the board of directors’ representative on the radio relay vessel Achilles on two occasions.

'I would like to thank all members of 2010/11 Board of Directors in advance for the dedication and time it takes to fulfill the responsibilities of being a member of the board, and also thank outgoing director Richard Cawse in addition to Immediate Past Commodore Matt Allen and look forward to another productive year serving the members of the club,' Commodore Linacre concluded.

Nick Cassim, owner of the classic wooden sloop Lolita, was also recognized at the Annual General Meeting, receiving his 50 Year Membership pin.