Sailability team lends a hand at the Access Worlds

by Graeme Adam on 20 Apr 2012 Amid the 250+ plus volunteer army at the Macquarie 2012 Access Worlds (7-13 April), was a dedicated band of volunteers from Sailability programs from NSW and interstate. The marina team was led by Sailability Dobroyd’s Mike Cuming, the beach team by Port Stephen’s Richard Byrnes.

Ladies connected with Sailability volunteered in food preparation. The almost 100 Access dinghies were supplied mainly by Sailability branches in NSW and interstate and the majority of dock volunteers came from NSW Sailability programs.

Sailability volunteers included Rob Domone (Dobroyd), Paul Anderson - Kogarah Bay, Reg McQueen – Bundaberg, Howard Courtney - Kogarah Bay, Mike Cuming - Dobroyd, Richard Byrne - Port Stephens, Neil Anderson - Chairman National Sailability Committee, Yachting Australia, Chris Bowern - Rushcutters Bay, Pittwater's Malcolm Murray and Allan Jones, ACA President and ACT’s Terry Peek, Manly’s Eli Demeny and Dobroyd Aquatic Club’s Linda Billingsgate.

As host Middle Harbour Yacht Club look back on this mammoth event, all involved should give themselves a pat on the back for a level of organization that should be a model for sailing regattas, regardless of how big or how small.

An event like cannot succeed without the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and staff who contributed their skills, time, equipment and even homes to make the event an enjoyable experience for the 120 competitors from around the world.

Many volunteers went above and beyond in their efforts. MHYC volunteer Wendy Bates earned the nickname 'Wendy Will' due to her inclination to do anything that needs doing. 'Every night at home, I boiled 100 eggs and mashed them with butter to put in sandwiches for the next day,' she explained. This was in addition to her duties as hospitality volunteer which entailed answering a deluge of questions, giving directions, selling sponsor clothing and helping with the daily sausage sizzle.

Competitors raved about the volunteer force – and about the Middle Harbour Yacht Club staff, whom competitors described as 'helpful and really friendly – we feel at home here.'

David Staley, Access Class EO (and President of Sailability Victoria), feels that the general view was in keeping with goal of the boats: 'to give a platform to compete on an equal playing field.' There is a perception among other sailors that Access boats are 'disabled boats,' Staley said. 'Access designer Chris Mitchell is about getting people all ages and abilities people into sailing and giving them a fun, non-threatening first experience.'

Worlds patron Sir James Hardy said: 'Full credit to Middle Harbour Yacht Club Commodore, Julie Hodder. Julie contacted me a year ago to be patron and the preparation has gone on that long.'

Commodore Hodder described the Macquarie 2012 Access World Championships as 'bigger than Ben Hur.' She said that the event could not have been a success without the help of the hundreds of volunteers: particularly Volunteer Coordinator Glynne Attersall, Wolfgang Kullik, Trevor D’Alton, Richard Byrne (Beach), Mark Pryke, Terry Peek, Phil Yeomans and Judy Cole (Race Mgt) and Jenny Brennan, Sally O’Neil (BBQ), Liz Folkard (registration), and Lena D’Alton and Gill Attersall in HQ.

The Worlds have been a godsend for Middle Harbour Yacht Club too. Not only due to increasing visibility of the Club as a whole, but also through the friendships formed with local, national and international supporters such as: Middle Harbour Skiff Club, Manly Sailability and Sailability Australia, the Access Class Association, Mosman Council and the Macquarie Group Foundation.

Access Worlds. http://www.2012accessworlds.mhyc.com.au

Adapted from a release by Angus Clinton.