UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR
Dear Sailors,
 
The Festival of Sails Organising Committee is thrilled to receive a positive response to our launch of the 2022 FOS Notice of Race on 22 September 2022. So far we have over 40 yachts entered and the Committee looks forward to seeing this number grow over the coming weeks.
 
This early positive response indicates that there is a real appetite from our sailing community to get back on the water, and we aim to bring you the best possible event we can in 2022. With COVID-19 still very front of mind, our team is working hard to develop plans to ensure our event is safe and compliant with all government restrictions and our state's road map to recovery. This means there will be some modifications to the event you are familiar with – particularly with the Waterfront Festival and shoreside components. We will keep you updated as these plans are finalized.
 
Please note, depending on how government restrictions evolve over the next few months, we may be required to limit entry numbers to ensure we remain compliant, so be sure to get your entries in early to avoid disappointment. We are offering skippers full refunds on entry fees if the event does not proceed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
 
And finally, we encourage those that can get vaccinated to do so.  We don’t yet understand what requirements will be placed on public events in this regard, so please ensure you and your crew are proactive so we can welcome as many of you as possible back to Festival of Sails in 2022.

click here to book
 
Yours in sailing,

Roger Bennett
2022 Festival of Sails Chair
RGYC Vice Commodore

Assuming that restrictions ease and boat owners get access to their boats at the next vaccination target date (26th October), the club intends to conduct crane/slipping day on Saturday 13th November. 

We ask that after launching :

• the braces & breast bars are removed from all mobile cradles by the owners.
• that all fixed cradles be removed from the yard by 6pm, Sunday 14th November.

The crane will return on Tuesday 16th November to stack the cradles.

Trailerables will be able to enter the yard from 9am Wednesday 17th November.

The intention at this time is to have a stand alone race on Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th and then revert to our normal race calendar after that as long as restrictions allow this.

Please keep and eye out for notices as we get closer to these dates as this may all change depending on Government directives.

Regards,
Bill Bennett, Rear Commodore

Good News....!!!
The Rocks are offering a takeaway menu each FRIDAY & SATURDAY until lockdown is over!!!!

From 5.30pm their chefs are working hard in the kitchen and will be offering a takeaway menu including these delicious dishes.....(yummmm....)

Orders can be made via their website or over the phone in the late afternoon - 5973 5599

Ritchies are offering DOUBLE DOLLAR DONATIONS  from the 4th to the 31st OCTOBER to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the new Ritchies Card and Ritchies Card app with RITCHIES - can be used at Mt Martha, Mt Eliza, Dromana Stores (and any others!) If you haven't linked an organisation yet we'd be happy if you chose us!!
​
See below for QR code to scan to download the app

LATEST UPDATE - 28 September 2021
The Victorian Government has announced updated and ongoing restrictions. From 11.59pm 28 September, the 10km radius to venture out for permitted reasons has increased to 15km, the 4 hour exercise limit remains and this outing includes socialising with conditions.

Recreational boating is allowed if:

• It is within 15km from home
  
• For up to 4hrs, once per day
• With a mask
• With one other person (plus dependents that cannot be left unattended).  That other person can be from another household (There is no Government directive on the vaccination status of the 2 person ins this regard).
• Up to five people may gather from two households and socialise or exercise if everyone over the age of 18 have had two vaccination doses (The Government directive is clear – all those + 18 years of age in the group must be double vaccinated)

Yard Activity

• Boat Repair and Maintenance in the yard  can be done by Marine Contractors only
• Members are not to work on their boats or gather in the yard

Yard Access:

• For those of you who do not store your boats at home, you can now access the MYC yard to go sailing if you live within 15km.
• Please sign in upon entry using the QR code displayed on entry gates,
• Social distance,
• Move in and out as quickly as possible and not gather in groups within the yard.

Club rooms are closed (first aid can be accessed in an emergency)
Victorian Road Map - click here

You can now:

• Access Boats from open-air yards. So long as sailors can practice social distancing and other covid requirements, a facility such as a clubhouse is not entered.
• Sailors can access boats on moorings and marinas. However, so long as members can practice social distancing and other covid requirements, a facility such as a clubhouse is not entered.
• Boats may be accessed from storage or dry stacks, if done in a retail style, click and collect, covid-safe manner, and if the storage facility has this same understanding.
• Members should enter and exit the boat storage area as quickly as possible and not work on their boats or gather in the yard.

This lockdown intends to restrict unnecessary movement to prevent the spread of the virus. We must be following the guidelines from the government. These are. 

• The practice of social distancing
• Sign in with the Service Victoria QR code at entrance points 
• If you are experiencing any symptoms, you should get tested for Covid -19 and self-isolate until you receive your results. 

Further information can be found https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-settings

Following on from the restriction changes as announced on Friday, the following is now in effect:
Sailing for exercise is now permitted subject to:

• It is within 10km from home
• For up to 4hrs, once per day
• With a mask
• With one other person (plus dependents that cannot be left unattended)

For those of you who do not store your boats at home, you can now access the MYC yard to go sailing if you live within 10km.

Please sign in upon entry using the QR code displayed on entry gates, social distance, move in and out as quickly as possible and not gather in groups within the yard.
Club rooms are closed (first aid can be accessed in an emergency)

For a detailed overview please see the table of restrictions
Media release - new freedoms when 70 per cent first dose target reached - click here to read

You can now:

• Access Boats from open-air yards. So long as sailors can practice social distancing and other covid requirements, a facility such as a clubhouse is not entered.
• Sailors can access boats on moorings and marinas. However, so long as members can practice social distancing and other covid requirements, a facility such as a clubhouse is not entered.
  
• Boats may be accessed from storage or dry stacks, if done in a retail style, click and collect, covid-safe manner, and if the storage facility has this same understanding.
  
• Members should enter and exit the boat storage area as quickly as possible and not work on their boats or gather in the yard.
  

This lockdown intends to restrict unnecessary movement to prevent the spread of the virus. We must be following the guidelines from the government. These are. 

• The practice of social distancing
• Sign in with the Service Victoria QR code at entrance points 
• If you are experiencing any symptoms, you should get tested for Covid -19 and self-isolate until you receive your results. 

Further information can be found https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-settings

Please let me know if you have any questions, happy sailing to those of you that this little update applies too.

The NoR for season 2021-2022 has been published.

Please follow this link or head over to the 'Club Race Documents' area of our website - found under the 'Sailing' menu item.

For the Year Ended 30 June 2021

TRUSTEES REPORT
The trustees are pleased to report on the activities of the Foundation for the year ended 30 June 2021.  
The highlights for the year were:

• Donations received of $15,133, down 45% in a COVID disrupted season.
• Expenditure on projects which have been approved by the Australian Sports Foundation for the benefit of the Club totalled $14,214 down 47% on  the previous year.
• 11 new members joined the Foundation, an increase of 12% over the previous year.
• Distributions since the forming of the Foundation five years ago now total $124,162.

The  agreed projects for the Foundation  are:

• To develop facilities and to provide training of individuals in the sport of sailing.  Previously the Foundation provided six Pacer dinghies to the Club and provided training vouchers to non members who were interested in taking up the sport. In the current year $14,054 was provided to enable the purchase of Opti dinghies for the new Trysail junior training courses.
• To provide funding that will enable more experienced sailors to fulfill their ambitions by competing  at Regional, Interstate, National and International regattas.  Previously the Foundation has granted Elite Sailing Grants to Club members but unfortunately for the past two seasons due to the onset of Covid 19 none of our members were able to travel internationally to compete on the world stage, and as a result no grants were made.  The Trustees believe that these grants are important and look forward to recommencing this program next year.
• To raise funds to support the Club Sailability Programs which provides sailing experiences for disabled individuals.  The Foundation donated $160 to Sailability for the purchase of an advertising banner for the Sailability group whose activities were very much affected by COVID.

In addition to the original projects several new ones have been added  as follows:

• A campaign was launched to provide funds for the repair and replacement of Club rescue boats and the upgrading of Club sailing infrastructure.  Donations of $11,470 have been received by year end and will now be donated to the Club as a  contribution to the purchase of a new rhib.
• Funds have been sought during the year for essential repairs to be undertaken on the Club's slipway.  In 2019/20  $14,618 has been spent enabling the slip to be restored to safe working order.  The slipway appeal is ongoing.

In addition the Foundation is able to accept donations made directly to it where no tax deduction is sought .

The Foundation is an unincorporated entity governed by a Charter drawn  up and adopted by the Board of the Mornington Yacht Club.  The Foundation offers individuals the opportunity to make tax deductible donations to specific projects.   The Foundation is required to provide acquittal reports to the ASF documenting the expenditure of funds on these approved projects.

The activities of the Foundation are governed by a Board of Trustees;
Stuart Gooley (Chairman)
Ray Harvey
Noel Heyes
Bret Levenspiel

The Foundation holds regular meetings independently of the Club Board and operates its own Bank account.  Reports are provided to the Club Board on the Foundation's activities.  It is our overriding objective to work collaboratively with the Board to provide financial support for projects agreed to by the Foundation.

The Trustees are pleased with the progress that the Foundation has made during the year given the difficulties arising from the Covid 19 outbreak which has severely curtailed our activities.  

As a result of this outbreak the Foundation's fund raising  Business Lunch planned for April  had to be cancelled and still has not been able to be rescheduled.  At the time of the cancellation ticket sales were strong and an interesting collection of raffle prizes had been arranged.  We would like to thank all sponsors who agreed so generously to assist with this event and to the organising group our appreciation for their efforts.  We look forward to resurrecting  this important fund raising event when conditions allow.

Finally it is encouraging to the Trustees that the Foundation continues to gain traction within the Club with 105 contributors at year end.  We recognise that we are in a period of serious financial difficulty which may continue for some time, however by continuing to expand our base and encouraging donations of any amount from members we will be able to  materially assist the Club in building and maintaining the  operations that will benefit all members.

Stuart.F.Gooley
Chairman
August 27, 2021

River heads Potsville & caravan Park

Byron Lights house & Pam and Noel at Hastings point beach

Curlews at their van & with friends at Hastings Point Beach

GO SWANNIES!

Since we can't sail, let's chat about it! Our lockdown zoom chats are back starting on Monday 30th August at 7:30pm.

Looking forward to a virtual catch up with our MYC members tomorrow night, with a topic focus on 'Rules on the start line'! Join us at 7:30pm on Zoom to be led though some different rules situations on the start line! Check last weeks eTattler for the zoom link or send us a msg!
​

Due to the current COVID-19 Government restrictions our 75th Annual General Meeting  of the Mornington Yacht Club was held once again  via the electronic medium of Zoom on:
 
Sunday 22nd August 11am

Congratulations to Greg Martin for continuing on as the 36th Commodore and the elected 2021-2022 Board of Directors:​

FLAG OFFICER'S
Greg Martin, Commodore
John Underwood, Vice Commodore
Bill Bennett, Rear Commodore
Laurie White, Club Captain

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andrew Klose, Hon. Treasurer
Joanne McKenzie
Trevor Neate
Noel Heyes
Stuart Gooley
Andrew Young

Click here for reports including minutes of the meeting and the zoom link to view

As per the announcement made by Victoria's Premier today of an extended lockdown, we would like to let you know what this means to our club:

CLUB AND YARD
Both the club building and yard will be closed to members until further notice. 
If you have any concerns regarding your boat, please call our Club Captain, Laurie on 0418 584 338, who will be doing checks on the yard.  Members are NOT permitted to work on their own boats.

In the case of an emergency and you need to access your boat, please contact Laurie and remember that you must check in via the QR barcodes and wear your mask at all times. 

THE ROCKS
The Restaurant will be offering a takeaway service at weekends only - we encourage everyone to support them during this tough time.

THE MYC OFFICE is contactable via Email only
Is now closed - Myself & Michelle will be working from home and contactable by email, and will keep you updated as things progress.

To view the latest information from the State Government, please see HERE and to keep up to date with the listed exposure sites click here.