Marion Cooper first woman Life Member of Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania

by Peter Campbell on 30 Jul 2010 First Woman Life Member of RYCT - Marion Cooper, the first woman to be elected Commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, this week made further club history as the first woman to be elected a Life Member.

Members voted unanimously in support of her nomination at the 129th annual general meeting, proposed and seconded by two of the Club’s most senior members, Veteran Member Brian Mann and 50-Year Member Jack Hansen.

Marion has served on club committees for almost 20 years, including 12 years as a member of the Board of Directors, serving as Rear Commodore and Vice Commodore before being elected Commodore in 2004, a position she held for three years.

In that time she has made a notable contribution as a member of the Club’s finance committee for 13 years, 12 years as a member of the Ladies and Social Committee, Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Liaison Officer for six years, a member of the Sailing South Regatta committee for seven years and, importantly, as a member and later as chairperson of the Marina Extension Committee.

Marion’s Life Membership follows her being presented with the Lesley Cooper Memorial Trophy for outstanding service to the Club at the Prize giving Dinner earlier this year.

Speaking to his nomination of Marion Cooper for Life Membership, Brian Mann said she had made 'outstanding contributions' to the club over an extended period.

'In providing the necessary personal time for the proper guidance and attention to various committees and sub-committees, Marion has given the RYCT a huge amount of her time, particularly in the later years when her loving and respected husband Dr Des Cooper needed her support,' Brian said. 'Somehow, she managed both tasks without complaint.'

Brian said the marina extension had been Marion’s main project, joining the sub-committee in 2004 and later taking on the role of chairperson. 'She held that position until the work was completed and officially opened in 2008…a very complex task,' he said.

'Marion deserves the congratulations of all RYCT members for her dedication to the project and the club,' Brian added.