What do a deep-fryer, a ride-on mower and the Marina Travelift have in common? asks Mainsheet editor Matthew Tesch, who discovers the answer is ‘86 of those years’ — and some interesting back-stories behind a few very hard-to-pin-down, modestly unassuming RQYS staff members, who are never in the one place at the same time. Squadron’s hardy perennials in focus More than 110 years of lived RQYS experience is on view every day — but impossible to see in a single glance The 26 September 2024 edition of RQYS eNews “In the Wind” noted that CFO (Chief Financial Officer) Wendy Johnston marked 10 years of “outstanding service” to the Squadron, Membership Manager Alicia Soszynski 15 years with, in October, boatyard staffer Shane ‘Shaggy’ Green celebrating 30 years. You’d think that a natural extension of this would be a longer piece on groundsman Tony Denhoed, numbers whizz Belinda Annan, and boatyard supervisor Graham Rock, with 20, 27 and 36 years’ service, respectively …? Well, we managed to nab Tony, Shaggy and Graham at different times, at least … Few Members might be able to describe Tony Denhoed, seeing him only (if at all) beneath a wide-brimmed hat and sunnies as a hearing-protected, jacketed figure rumbling by on the red tractor-mower around the grounds. Hard to chase with the dog on a lead and pen and notebook in hand, too, at different times of day … Fewer still would be those who remember Tony (and Shaggy) sweating over the fryer, grill and oven in the Club’s first, cramped kitchen in the Cavill Building, miraculously producing more than 500 meals for major Squadron functions. And it would be news to just about everyone that Tony’s first experience in the Club’s current, spacious kitchen predates the building’s floated arrival in the harbour a decade ago (2014) from its previous life as the Port of Brisbane’s Visitors’ Centre on Fisherman Islands! “I used to have a couple of cooking gigs both at the Port on Sundays and here in the Cavill at the same time for a while back then,” Tony recalls, when ‘cornered’ in his ‘inside office’ over a 6.30am prework cuppa. “A bit weird to be cooking in the Port’s kitchen again after it was reassembled but a lot less cramped.” Just as the contrast between the two work environments could not be greater, so too Tony’s career paths since he left school at 16, “not really knowing” what he wanted to do, but discovering an affinity for landscaping and parks and gardens in an Ithaca TAFE program. Going on to become Grounds Manager at Belmont Private Hospital in Carina and completing a degree in Horticulture would seem to have set the course but the managerial world held less appeal for Tony, who had found quite a culinary aptitude as well. Sharpening his knife at Redland Bay Golf Club, Tony “first heard — don’t ask me what year — about RQ chef opportunities from a TAFE mate” so when the Golf Club’s highly-respected Head Chef Simon Watters was tempted up to Manly, Simon in turn encouraged Tony to join the crew — where Shaggy was already in place! Aside from the occasional interregnum, the pair underpinned the Squadron’s kitchen until the pandemic’s effects and lockdowns upended everything. With staff and operations cut — and no guests for whom to cook — Tony and Shaggy redeployed to take care of the grass and gardens, which continued to grow apace. er of our , CEO of the new Marine enlightening to learn what you as skippers and boat owners rescue and support teams will function under the new e Auditorium, commencing promptly at 7.30pm. are back with a Spanish theme and a very delicious ot had a lot of luck with weather in the past on these nights, asty, we'll move to the fabulous new Girdis Deck. As usual, same time. Don’t forget the weekly meat raffle in order to he Wyuna Fund to help our Young Sailors achieve their s, we have raised nearly $800 so thank you for your support. Strategic Plan Information night on Wednesday 2nd October w so if you plan to attend, please to register! t at Wynnum Golf Club – there are only 12 e Ambrose game), so if you don’t want to miss out on what you register asap! mbers who use the eastern beach gates to go windsurng mber to secure the gate each time you go in and out? All when visiting Canaipa. If everyone does the right thing, and able to ensure better safety and protection of both rtunity to also acknowledge and thank three of our very achieved major milestones: ted 10 e nager leted 15 ebrates rmously er their them all k! Shane Green, Alicia Soszynski & Wendy Johnston With a little photoshopping - we got them altogether! 21 May 2014: part of the new Clubhouse arrives in the harbour entrance PICS: Matthew Tesch Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Yearbook Mainsheet 2024 47 Little-known longevities
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