YNZ Honour Award presented to Stewart Elder

by Fiona Balch and Sail-World on 15 May 2008
Stewart Elder received his YNZ Honour award at Port Chalmers Yacht Club Prizegiving Sunday May 11th. The Award was presented on behalf of YNZ by Alec Knewstubb, President Otago Yachting Association.

Stewart attended with his family including grandchildren and was delighted to receive this award at his 'home' yacht Club. He also received The Old Salts Cup for a closely contested race this season. Stewart fondly recalled being part of the Otago team to contest the Sanders cup in 1954 and then went on to sail in the 'new fast 'boats called R Class for many years.

He remains an active part of Port Chalmers sailing winter and summer, as part of Race Committee especially committee boat duties. A special Tribute was made, for her support to his wife Doreen on this Mothers Day.

From an earlier edition of Sail-World.Com/NZ:

Across New Zealand at the 125 Yacht Clubs you can always find people who make yachting in this country ‘tick’ – unsung heroes and heroines who do a huge amount of work to keep their local yacht club ticking over - without them, things would fall apart.

Generally they don’t seek attention, in fact most of them avoid it – preferring to put their head down and get stuck into the jobs that need to be done. It is these wonderful people that we recognise with the Honour Awards. They’re the unsung heroes, the tireless workers, the persistent ones who turn up week in week out – volunteering their time – to ensure the well-being of their club and of grass roots yachting.

The citation reads:

Stewart Elder - Port Chalmers Yacht Club

Stewart has a life-long devotion to the sport of yachting and to his club – the Port Chalmers Yacht Club in Dunedin, and to the Otago region. At the age of 85 – when most have long since retired – Stewart is still actively involved, still sailing and winning at his Club, and still giving back to sailing. Stewart joined the Port Chalmers Yacht Club in 1935 as a junior member for the fee of 2/6d and has remained a member ever since!

He has served on many committees and as Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore, and was awarded life membership of the club in 1984. He remains an integral part of many on-water Race Committees for both his club, the Otago region and also at national contests.

The achievements and service record listed on the nomination for Stewart stretch to over two pages, and demonstrate the huge admiration and appreciation of the Port Chalmers Yacht Club for an absolutely invaluable member. Stewart was unable to be in Auckland tonight and will be presented his certificate in Otago shortly.