Andrew Short Marine – and it's Kylie at the helm

by Bob Wonders on 12 Aug 2010 It's hard to believe that it's almost 12 months since I received an early morning telephone call from Ken Evans; 'Some bad news,' he said, 'Andrew Short has been killed.'

That was in October last year, October 11, to be precise, two lives were lost, Andrew and fellow ‘yachtie' Sally Gordon, when the maxi they were aboard crashed into a reef off the NSW South Coast.

Andrew, of course, when he was not racing with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, was known industry-wide as the founder and CEO of Andrew Short Marine Services, one of the largest marine dealerships in New South Wales.

The dealership had expanded considerably under Andrew's dynamic leadership to the point where it today occupies four facilities, its head office at Taren Point, on Sydney's Southside, a marina just a few kilometres away at Yowie Bay, another marina at The Spit, Mosman, on Sydney's leafy north shore and, directly opposite another showroom on the d'Albora Marina.

It was only natural that many were wondering, what now for Andrew Short Marine, a major supplier for such distinguished brand names as Mercury, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Haines Signature, Sea-Al and Quicksilver, to name only a few?

Well, believe it when I tell you, Andrew Short Marine is travelling very well indeed and the ‘skipper' at the helm is Kylie Short - mother and Managing Director.

I recall speaking with her on the ‘phone some months ago when writing a story on the company and I asked the question, ‘what do I refer to you as, are you CEO, Managing Director or what?'

'Oh, gee, I hadn't thought of that,' Kylie replied.

'I suppose I'm the Managing Director?'

She is very much the Managing Director.

In her favour, of course, was the fact that she had a fair idea of how the business operated and certainly 'knew her way around the place.'

It goes without saying that close friends of the couple expressed their concern; after all, losing one's husband in such tragic and unforeseen circumstances would ‘knock the stuffing' out of anyone.

Kylie credits her ‘survival' to the widespread support she has received.

'I can't speak too highly of the help and support given freely by family, friends and the staff at Andrew Short Marine, all of whom have been tremendous,' she explained.

She also rates 'being busy' has helped her deal with the loss.

'With the four destinations to look after I am kept pretty much on the go,' she said, 'I work out of the head office at Taren Point, but I live the other side of the city at The Spit, so I'm kept on the move on a daily basis.

'Most of the hurdles I've encountered I've been able to overcome, but Andrew kept many day-to-day details in his head, so dealing with things like trade-ins and valuations initially caused me problems, but I'm coming to terms with everything now,' she added.

The dealership was named recently as the sole Sea Ray dealer for the Sydney area and remains at the forefront of Mercury Marine engine and accessory sales.

Recent staff appointments, Beau Smith (sales manager), Greg Marshman (spare parts manager) and Stella Tzonis (operations manager) have all played a role in keeping the company on an even keel.

Andrew Short Marine may have a new Managing Director, but it retains its reputation as a respected marine dealership responsible for retailing some of the best-known brand names in recreational boating.

And there is definitely a Managing Director at the helm and her name is Kylie Short.

For further information contact Andrew Short Marine, Taren Point, NSW, telephone (02) 9524-2699.