Ahoy Cruisers! – Bumper issue today! – Awards and 2 (count them!) two cruises!!

Well what a busy week it was – with over 70 boats in the open day sail past and 4 of our Major Awards announced in what turned out to be a lovely spring day – reminiscent of a day at the races!

1. Congratulations to Open Day Award Recipients!

We had four of our major awards announced on the day – and the winners are … [drum roll]…

Sail Cruiser of the Year 2019-2020 – Awarded to: David MacKinnon and Judy MacKinnon “Epernay”

This trophy is very prestigious and one of, if not the, most important trophy from the Sail Cruising group. The party that receives this trophy has their photograph including on the honour board in Flags. 

This year the Sail Cruiser of the Year is awarded to Judy and David MacKinnon.

Judy and David are avid sailors spending summer sailing in Australia and winter sailing in the Mediterranean. Last year David and Judy sailed around Croatia and then came back to Australia to organize the Cruise North in Company.

Judy and David put a tremendous effort into the organisation of the Cruise and had to cater for people who were on the cruise for 2 weeks and others for 8 weeks. 

Those who participated in the cruise north will understand the level of organisation required for joint dinners, changes in venues and the impact of weather restrictions. Judy and David did this in a collusive and engaging manner.

Most Significant Contribution Award for 2019-2020 – Awarded to: Erwin Bejsta and Ilse Bejsta “Moonglade”

Erwin and Ilsa have contributed significantly during the year with:

– Introducing new members to the club and Sail Cruising;

– Participating in the Cruising Group organisation;

– Mentoring new members and others;

– Arranging talks from Brent Martz and HF usage (unfortunately some of these were rescheduled due to COVID-19);

– Coming all the way from Albury/Wodonga to participate in the cruises;

– Assisting with the Cruise North; and

– Being an exceptional Cruise Captains – even offering pancakes on board to all….

Best Cruise Organisers 2019-2020 – Awarded to: Warren Kerswill and Debbie Kerswill “Phase 2”

Warren and Debbie put a tremendous effort into the organisation of this cruise even arranging for Peter Ludlow (the Moreton Bay historian) to provide a comprehensive talk on the history of Peel Island including its use as a quarantine station and leper colony. This primed us for the visit prior to the cruise. 

It had taken months to get the necessary approvals from National Parks. Cruisers were greeted ashore by the Chairperson of the Friends of Peel Island Association (Scott Fowle) and Peter Ludlow who lead us to the settlement. 

With over 30 in the party it was split into two groups, led by Peter Ludlow and Scott Fowle for an interesting tour to the Lazaret.

The following day Warren and Debbie arranged the walk to the Platypus wreck and the old stone jetty and the only remaining quarantine building on the Bluff. Even the ranger helped by driving some of the less mobile people to the Lazarette. 

A very interesting and informative cruise.

New Member Recognition Trophy 2019-2020 – Awarded to: Geoff Boyd and Rae Boyd “Auspicious”

Geoff and Rae first came out as a “guest boat” with the Sail Cruising group in their 23 ft Sabre-Dancer for the pirate cruise weekend to Redcliffe in 2018. They enjoyed this cruise so much that they then decided to join the group however waited until they had purchased their catamaran Auspicious (a 40ft Crowther) – in Darwin.

Being adventurous they sailed Auspicious back from Darwin across the top end in the “wrong” direction crossing the Gulf of Carpentaria shorthanded with just the two of them – their first time in a boat of this size and the first time in open ocean overnight sailing. 

They then proceeded down the east coast to Brisbane a wonderful effort for their first major voyage.

Rae and Geoff have attended nearly all the cruise weekends before the coronavirus and Rae even won best dressed at the Australia Day weekend dressed as a “Lamington”.

2. Other Awards on Fridays

We will use our regular Friday Briefing sessions to pay tribute to the above and to congratulate them personally!  You can also leavce a message of congratulations on the RQ Cruising Group Facebook Page if you are social-media-savvy!  – https://www.facebook.com/groups/RQYSSCG/

Other awards for each of the Cruise Captains and our upcoming prestigious RQ Long Distance Cruiser Awards – sponsored by Seawind Catamarans – should be ready for presentation in a couple of weeks prior to our “Talk like a Pirate at Peel” weekend – so come along on Friday the 18^th of September even if you can’t make the cruise!

3. Sept Cruise: “Talk like a pirate at Peel” 19-20 Septembver 2020

A separate email has just gone out re this (so I wont repeat it here – but I have attached the flier).  Also the Cruising Group calendar should be automatically updated in your Outlook or Apple Calendar etc if you’ve subscribed – if you need the instructions just let me know and I will re-send them to you.

Please RSVP to craigandkerry@me.com to let us know you’re coming!

4. Oct Cruise – “Beautiful Bribie” – Long weekend October 3,4 and 5 (only 2 weeks later!)

STOP PRESS – Attached please find a flier for October’s Cruise from Ian and Debbie Cooper “Nicky C”

Again – the calendar has been updated for this and please let Ian and Debbie know your availability for their planning ianmcooper@optusnet.com.au