Dear Members
It is now just on a month since regrettably due to the Covid 19 situation, we had to close GFS and bring our sailing season to an abrupt end. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of uncertainty about when we are likely to be able to re -open the Club and resume racing. However, I would like to take the opportunity to assure you that it is still business as usual for the Committee behind the scenes and that we are aiming to re-open the club and recommence Club activities as soon as changes in restrictions allow.
To bring you up to date – at our recent monthly Committee meeting (held virtually) we undertook a review of GFS’s financial position and discussed the best way to manage our club events that are scheduled over the next few months as well as our preparations for the 2020/2021 season.
I am happy to report that despite some loss of revenue from Twilights and social events GFS is in a sound state financially. However, given the uncertainty of pandemic we are trying to reduce expenditure wherever possible and this has meant that the purchase of new start boat (previously approved by the Committee) has been put on hold until we have a clearer picture of when the Club can resume normal activities.
The 2019-2020 season’s race results have now been finalised and we will be publishing these on the website shortly as well as in the next edition of Humbug. The formal Trophy presentation will be held later in the year in conjunction with an anticipated Club re-opening.
We remain hopeful that we will be back racing for the start of the new season but will continue to keep all scheduled Club activities such as the AGM, finalisation of next season’s program, safety audits and Skipper’s briefing under review.
You will be aware that under current NSW Public Health guidelines sailing is recognised as an acceptable form of exercise. A recent update from Transport for NSW also states that it is permissible to have more than 2 people onboard providing there is four square meters of space for each person. While hopefully this will provide an opportunity for members to have a break from isolation please remember the overriding requirement is that “unless you have an essential need to be out – stay home.”
In the meantime, the Committee is looking at ways of maintaining member involvement in the Club. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for news items, sailing articles or competitions that you think would be of interest to members. We also encourage you to keep in touch and view updates via the GFS website and Facebook.
I hope that you all stay healthy and well.
Pam Joy
Commodore, Greenwich Flying Squadron
gfscommodore@gmail.com
