Greenwich Flying Squadron

The compulsory Skipper’s Briefing for season 2024 – 2025 will be held at the GFS Clubhouse.

Wednesday, September 11 from 7.30pm.

More details will follow in the near future.

A working bee will take place next Saturday at the GFS clubhouse, August 24 commencing at 9.00am. Cleaning Products will be provided.

I am sure the work done on the day will return the clubhouse (above) to its former glory!

Information relating to the upcoming season is available on the Sailing – Yacht Racing Information page of this website.

Information includes –

Race Entry – How to enter your yacht (note each series must be entered separately)

Season Program –   Updated August 07. Please note the changed dates for – 

Working Bee Saturday August 24

Skippers’ Briefing Wednesday September 11

Sailing Instructions

Category 7 Equipment Audit form (other categories 3 and 5 are available and will require booking in with the GFS Safety Officer, Peter Hamilton)

Twilight Course sheets will be added in the near future

Full Member Renewals for the 2024/25 Membership Year are due  It is now time to renew your GFS membership for the next membership year starting 1 July 2024.  As part of the renewal we are asking all members to confirm and update their personal contact details for use in the case of an emergency. To renew your membership: You will need to know your Australian Sailing Number + First Name + Last Name + Date of Birth + Gender.  If you do not know your Australian Sailing Number click on this link https://www.sailing.org.au/member-finder to find it NOTE Around x30 members have a default birthdate in the system (either 1/1/1935 or 1/1/2000) and the Membership Secretary has already informed those concerned (email dated 13 June 2024) to use that date or phone him to assist with updating Log into your Revsport memberpage via the following link https://www.revolutionise.com.au/gfs/ . Click on the Renew button under the ‘Renew my Full Membership’ Heading and complete the following  steps Under ‘Renew your membership’ click on the Returning Member button Step 1  Registration, enter your AS number, first name, last name, date of birth and gender Step 2  Confirm you are a full member Step 3  Confirm purchase summary $540 Step 4  Check and adjust if necessary your basic details, particularly emergency contact details Step 5  Tick the boxes Step 6  Complete the payment The GFS Website https://gfs.org.au/online-renewal-help/ has been updated to direct members to the new membership system.  Alternatively phone assistance is available by contacting the GFS Membership Secretary currently Chris Gaskell on 0432 018 081 or in his absence Dion Weston on ‭0408 859 267. Membership Fees The GFS committee has decided to increase membership fees modestly, around the general rate of inflation, for the new 2024/25 Membership Year.   GFS will continue to have some of the lowest fees and offer the best value sailing experience of any club in Sydney. The fees for the 2024/25 season are: Full member                          $540 Crew member                        $145 Tender/dinghy storage             $260 If you have a tender or dinghy in the clubhouse you will be contacted later for the payment of the storage fees. While memberships were current until the end of June 2024, from 1 July members will not be financial and will be in breach of the Racing Rules of Sailing if they race without being financial.

All members are reminded that the GFS Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday 9 July at 7.30pm at the clubhouse. This is an important meeting for the club and we welcome the attendance by as many people as possible.

Drinks and nibbles will be provided after the formalities are completed.

The prize presentation was held on Saturday, June 2. The event was well attended.

However, there are some plates still to be collected. These will be displayed in the club from Saturday June 8. There is a list in the latest Humbug Lite.

A full list of recipients for 2023 – 2024 and their awards is here.

Hi everyone,

I have been serving in the role of Twilight Captain for 7 years and I feel the time has come to pass this on to someone else.

I started at the beginning of the 2018/2019 Twilight Season. I have enjoyed the role and interacting with so many members, especially my fellow committee members. The Covid years were tough, with cancellations, Persons-On-Board lists and many other hurdles, but we have now completed our first season in a “Business as Usual” fashion. Everything is ship-shape again and ready for hand-over.

I give special thanks to those who worked closely with me to help make the racing events happen: Bram Penberthy (Handicap Officer), David Edmiston (lead Course Setter), Peter Hamilton (Safety Officer) and Phil Hare (Sailing Secretary).

I would like to thank the many starters we have had over the last 7 years, most recently Belle Blandin de Chalain and Liam West.

The Twilight Race Events would not have been so popular without the dinners afterwards, always organised in superb fashion by Glenda Cameron-Strange and Holly Charalambous.

I would also like to thank John Veale and Steve Bradley for their support as Commodore and Vice-Commodore.

I will continue sailing, so you will see me out on the harbour or at the dinners. I will be available to help the new Twilight Captain whenever required. If you are interested in the role or you know a good candidate, please send an email to myself and John Veale.

Cheers everyone,

Nick Murphy.

Please check the two lists attached, If your boat is mentioned you will be the recipient of a plate or trophy at the GFS prize presentation.

The Prize presentation is from 3.00pm on June 1 at the GFS clubhouse.

All members and crews are welcome to attend along with those listed.

Twilight Recipients – Twi list for web

Saturday Recipients – Sat list for web

Hope to see many of you in attendance.

Felix passed away after a battle with cancer on Sunday April 7.

Felix was a GFS Junior Sailor at the time Rich and Liz Imaly ran the Sabot program. Liz taught him at Greenwich Public School and also to sail.

After primary school he attended Newington College where he graduated in 2020. The College noted that Felix made an indelible impact on his peers and teachers. From College musicals, plays, orchestral performances and concerto competitions to fundraising for the Salvos and as a school leader he was, in the words of Headmaster Mr Michael Parker, ‘a terrific, positive and indefatigable young man’.

Diagnosed in December 2021, Felix was treated for a super rare Sarcoma called an Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour in his chest spanning his heart and left lung.

While at GFS he was an active junior sailor and he was awarded an Australia Day Medallion sailing Whisperer in the GFS Sabot 1 up class in the 2016 event.

Felix was an incredible young person who became involved in Canteen – https://www.raiseit.org.au/fundraisers/flixlaubi/raise-it  He reached out to Canteen for support in the form of counselling, meeting groups with other young patients and survivors.

Despite his condition Felix completed the Huskisson classic distance triathlon in October 2023. A 1km swim in Jervis Bay, followed by a 60km bike ride and 10km run where he was joined by a group of friends who have supported him throughout treatment and are now supporting each other through training.

The GFS Laser group held an unofficial memorial for Felix at the club last Sunday. Felix’s father Andreas is a regular sailor with the GFS Laser fleet.

West Harbour Winter Series – WHWS

Entries via Balmain Sailing club –

https://topyacht.com.au/db/kb2/series_select.php?EventID=1720

Sailing Instructions –

https://www.balmainsailingclub.com/downloads/2023-2024_WEST_HARBOUR_SERIES_SAILING_INSTRUCTIONS.pdf

Courses – 

https://www.balmainsailingclub.com/downloads/ATTACHMENT_A_WEST_HARBOUR_COURSES.pdf

Races –

SATURDAY APRIL 6 from 5:30pm

GFS turns 100 in 2024 and we are keen to celebrate in style. Come down to the clubhouse to join fellow members for an entertaining and informative evening of food, drink, music and stories. The $60 ticket price includes: Hot and cold canapés from Bern the Chef Champagne and wine supplied by Wild Oats Live music by Simon McDonald Interesting stories from GFS history An entertaining quiz by our Mystery Quizmaster This is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity, none of us will experience another Centenary at GFS. We look forward to seeing you there. If you are planning to come, please buy your tickets by 3 April to allow us to plan catering. To book your tickets go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greenwich-flying-squadron-centenary-celebration-tickets-845603592107

Our beautiful and beloved Koko is reluctantly on the market. Moving interstate without my gun GFS team and time for a smaller boat! We’d love to see her go to a good home.

Click to enlarge

Fast Cruiser /Racer, excellent condition and exceptionally well maintained. Extensive sail wardrobe for racing and cruising. Swing mooring adjacent GFS in Gore Creek Bay will be available with tender currently at GFS.

Get in quick before we sign with broker. 145k or good offer.

David Leslie 0432883771 or Jim Igoe 0424238745

To celebrate 100 years GFS will be holding two events to mark the Anniversary.

The very first race contested as Greenwich 12ft Flying Squadron was held on February 14, 1924.

This year February 14 is a Wednesday and we will celebrate the anniversary following twilight racing. We plan to have an original 12ft skiff on display, some special prizes that mirror those awarded to winners of the first race, a birthday cake and some special guests. Please join us.

On Saturday 6 April, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm the Club will host a reception at the Clubhouse with canapes and drinks, music, a bit of history, lots of pictures to bring back memories and many friends to catch up with. More details to come.