From the Quarterdeck -- a report from the Commodore Tony Bullard

Also published in Quarterdeck Aug/Sept 2023

Greetings everyone from the new Commodore of the Devonport Yacht Club. It’s a privilege to be selected in this position and I want to thank you for selecting me.  I would like to express my gratitude to all those commodores, committee members and volunteers who have gone before me and created such a wonderful club.

The Devonport Yacht Club has grown into a vibrant and welcoming club and I am committed to building upon this legacy, fostering an environment of camaraderie, excellence, and exploration. The club is in a good financial position, we have a stable membership base and a collection of assets that we can all be proud of.

Last Thursday we had the 100th Annual General Meeting of the Devonport Yacht Club and voted in the 100th Management Committee for the Club. Whilst not as historic as the Club’s 100th anniversary, which we celebrated back in 2005, the 100th AGM is still a mighty celebration and we did so with a fabulous cake, bubbles and sharing of stories.

The club has elected a very strong management committee for the next year. The election results are listed on page 6 of [the Quarterdeck]. We’re mostly members from the previous year’s committee with a new Flag officer Howard Walsh and  two new members – welcome Paul Treacher (our new Treasurer) and Michael Yalland. 

Some of our priorities for the forthcoming year are:      

1. Continuing bringing an exciting assemble of social events, races, Seatalks, education and other relevant activities. 

2. Responding to various legislative and regulation changes and other requirements. For example the new Incorporated Societies Act, New Clean Hull programme, advocating for the club, negotiating our lease renewal with Council and participating in the wider boating community such as Yachting New Zealand and The Auckland Yachting and Boating Association. 

3. Progressing various asset upgrades and improvements. These include a revamp of the Sir Peter Blake Lounge, new club furnishings and fittings and in the longer-term refurbished toilets and the completion of the kitchen upgrade in the kitchen annex area. 

It’s that time of year where many of us haul up our boats onto the yard and undertake various maintenance tasks on them. Working on boats can be a time consuming and complicated business but one which we love (well at least some of the time).  My main task this year is fixing the keel.

So here I was last Friday doing work on the keel on what is not a bad Auckland day ie not raining. Anyway, along come a group of people enjoying the walk along the waterfront when they happen across the yacht club. They see me working on my keel, as well as several other members working on their boats as well. The tourists then stop and one of them comments quite loudly,

 “Look at the boaties – at work in their natural environment”.

“Ha ha” -  I laugh back at the cheeky chaps while they smile back in good jest.

While we love being out on the water enjoying our boats and the sea, there’s some truth in their comments what with our efforts on land keeping our old boats afloat. Importantly, as another truth, our boats and our club are a big tourist attraction in Devonport. We are part of its history and an important part of the community. 

In closing, I want to emphasize that the Devonport Yacht Club is not just a place – it is a community. A community bound by our shared love for the sea and our community. I am thrilled to be a part of this community and to serve as your Commodore.

Thank you for your trust, your dedication, and your warm welcome. Here's to fair winds, clear skies, and a splendid journey ahead.

Smooth sailing to you all.

 

Tony