In memory of Drummoyne Sailing Club former president Frank Bonnitcha

by Bill Fletcher, Club President on 7 May 2011 Drummoyne Sailing Club members are invited to attend the funeral service of Frank Bonnitcha who passed away peacefully on Saturday 23rd April 2011.

Frank Bonnitcha was a Life Member, Honorary Club Historian, former Club President, Director, Race Secretary, Hartley TS16, 16ft, 12ft and 8ft skiff sailor.

On behalf of the Board, club members, management and staff I extend our sympathy to Frank's wife Norma and the Bonnitcha family for their sad loss.

Frank, at the age of 14, commenced sailing at the Club in the latter half of the 1937/38 season in the Junior class which were racing restricted 12 footers. However his first boat was an eight foot canvas dinghy named 'Scamp' which he attempted to race unsuccessfully against the 12s. He continued his junior sailing in the 12ft 'B' Class skiffs and as owner or crew in the following boats:-

Alwyn (1938/39), skipper Max Boyle, Club Champion.
The Trump (1939/40).
Furore (1940/41).
Riptide (1941/43), skipper Frank Bonnitcha, two Club Championships, Upper Harbour Championship, Club Point Score and Anniversary Regatta.

Having reached the age limit of 21 for the 12ft 'B' Class skiffs, Frank moved into the 16ft skiff class and sailed in the following boats:-

Defiance (1943/44), skippers Gordon 'Backa' Robinson & Max Boyle, Club Point Score.
Prestige (1944/46), skipper Gordon Hanks, Greenwich Club Championship.
Action (1946/1963), skipper Bill Salton Jnr, Sydney Harbour Championship, three Club Championships and one Club Point Score.
Action (1963/1984), skipper Max Boyle, Club Championship, Fastest Time and 2 Handicap Point Scores, Middle Harbour Championship, and runner-up twice in the Club Championships.

Frank and Max Boyle then moved into the Hartley 16ft Trailer Sailor Class for the next 2 years and sailed Jerry Action (1984/86), skipper Max Boyle.

During his sailing career Frank also became involved in the administration of the Club and the 16ft Skiff Association and held the following positions:-

Drummoyne Sailing Club
1960's Assistant to Club Secretary, Jack Burnicle,
1964 Club Delegate to the 16ft Skiff Association,
1969/70 Race Secretary,
1970/81 Director,
1972 Vice President,
1977 Honorary Life Member,
1980/1981 President,
1988 Club Historian, published 'Drummoyne Sailing Club - Our First 75 Years',
1994 Club Historian, published 'The History of Drummoyne Sailing Club, 1913 -1994',
1995/98 Director.

N.S.W. 16ft Skiff Association
1964 Drummoyne Club Delegate,
1970/1989 Treasure & NSW State Manager for the Australian Championships,
1977 Life Member.

Frank's funeral service is to be held in the North Chapel, Northern Suburbs Crematorium, North Ryde on Tuesday (May 10, 2011), commencing at 12.15 p.m. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations would be appreciated to the Melanoma Foundation, envelopes available at the Drummoyne Sailing Club website