Freedom

The annual newsmagazine of Sailability Australia Issue 3 2014/2015 With contributions from state and territory Sailability Associations, their Sailability programs, their members, the National Sailability Committee of Yachting Australia and Yachting Australia

Freedom to enjoy; a dedicated Sailability SA yacht gives people of BIG BOATS: all abilities a experience Complementary role of yachts in Sailability programs

BRENNAN’S JOY: Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron gives Sailability a lift ART FOR AME: Amy Barnbrook’s life under sail subject of friendly caricature VICTORIA SETS THE STANDARD: Encouraging inclusion in sailing clubs From the helm The year in pictures

Ahoy there fellow Sailability members, family and friends, I hope this newsletter finds you all happy and excited about the year ahead. Sailability, in Australia, is 20 years old now and it's remarkable to think back & realise what we have helped achieve in those 20 years. An incredible amount of infrastructure has been added to the Clockwise from top left: Four boats travelled 3000 kms to the 2014 Hansa sailing arena to improve access to the Nationals in SA. President Graeme Martin, Vice President Tracy Odiam, Mike Cull water for people with a disabilities. and Genevieve Wickham competed; Sailability Gold Coast received the We have helped people achieve things largest ever donation from Gold Coast Boat Show; Sailability Port Macquarie has that they previously thought were beyond won the Port Macquarie Hastings Council award as part of the 2015 Australia Day their reach. Thousands of Australian's Awards. A three year dream come true for SPM and its wonderful volunteers . have had the joy of experiencing 'Freedom on the Water' that would not have been possible without you - The Sailability Family. There is still lots to be done but every now & then it's good to actually acknowledge what we have helped achieve. So please take a moment to acknowledge yourself for your ontribution to this wonderful organisation. I want to make a special thank you to Graeme Adam, the producer of this great Newsmagazine Through his efforts Graeme has helped share your stories about what's been happening throughout Australia and I'm sure that has helped inspire many to achieve more- thank you Graeme. Remember to keep sending your stories to Graeme so he can continue to share your successes. Happy Sailing - Neil.

Neil Anderson Clockwise from top left: The Sandgropers have shone again, taking a bronze at the Chairman - National Sailability World ISAF Sailing World Cup in Hyres (Spain) in May; Susie O’Connor reflecting Committee - Yachting Australia on the SA Hansa Class Chps at Port Adelaide Sailing Club: “We had great fun, skills were tested; new friends were made. It was a celebration of ability, not Published February 2015 disability”; Clients and volunteers at Sailability Whitsunday celebrated a boost to day to day operations, with the completion and official handover of a new shed. Freedom

Editor, Copy, Design, Production, Distribution, Graeme Adam [email protected]

“Freedom” - The Newsmagazine - is published annually in print and electronic form. “Freedom” updates published electronically. Distribution to all Sailability branches and through them all members, to From left- MP for Port Adelaide, great supporter of Sailability, yacht clubs via state yachting associations. Dr Susan Close, Volunteer, Keira Bennett and skipper Suzy O’Çonnor at the 2014 SA State Sailability Championship at PASC. Susan presented the participation medals. Suzy is Contributions for news items up to 50 words with good hi-res digital images or ideas for holding the joystick that she uses for sailing (the large purple ball is a oversize tennis features up to 500 words to the editor. ball to help her to steer); Right: Sailability Manly (NSW) volunteers at the Pirates Day: Helen (and her trusty parrot), Brian, master pirate, Rob (skipper of the Pirate Ship Charlie's Chariot) and Kandy, Pirate Wench. 2 Sailability people...Sailability people...Sailability people...Sailabilility people .....Sailabilility peo-

Another Sailability branch in Queensland! When we thought that there were no locations in Queensland to fill, another branch has opened, this time on the Darling Downs. Venue is Cooby Dam which is about 20 minutes’ drive north of Toowoomba . President is Glen Garvey. Boats are 2 x 2.3 Hansa dinghy, 1 x 303 Hansa dinghy, 1 x Walker Bay dinghy. Sailability Darling Downs is in the process of building a lifting arm so they can load sailors more easily. Darling Downs Sailing Club is sponsor club – provid- ing the majority of skippers. Facilities: not much yet – just sharing sheds with the sailing club. Huge potential, greater Toowoomba population is 150, 000. In another move, John Hamaty has retired as president Sailability Queensland (after several years of outstanding service) and Moe Turaga (inset) from Sailability Bundaberg is the new president.

Photo and story with thanks to Dorset Echo Inspirational teen sails for good INSPIRATIONAL sailor Natasha Lambert arrived in Portland (UK) after com- pleting the second leg of an amazing 430-mile challenge. The 17-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and no use of her hands, sailed around the south west coast using only her mouth to operate the specially- designed 21-ft pink and black vessel, Miss Isle, is kitted out with a ‘sip and puff mechanism’ mounted inside a cycling helmet, designed and developed by her electrician dad Gary. Natasha, who is being accompanied on the yacht by her family and her coach Phil Devereux, was welcomed to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy by sailors from Chesil Sailability, a group which provides opportunities for disabled people.

Caricaturing Ame Barnbrook Spied by the editor on crack sailor Ame Barnbrook’s Facebook page: “Went and had a chat to the guys from Id8 on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and as a thank-you, one of their designers did this caricature of me sailing a Hansa sailboat.. Check out the toes!” id8 Studio was established in 2002 with the vision of “partnering clients and working together to deliver innovative point of sale displays and merchandising systems that drive sales. http://www.id8studio.com/about/profile/ Meantime, Ame has been busy with her sailing, studies and other interests. In 2014, she competed in the IFDS Combined Sailing World in Canada. In December, she came third in the Sail Melbourne World Cup. Ame’s current goal is to compete in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.

Governor-General patron of Foundation

Sailing for Everyone Foundation (s4e) (formerly Access Dinghy Foundation) recently launched a new website www .s4e.org and facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/sailing4everyone His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, has accepted Patronage of the Sailing for Everyone Foundation. The Foundation has had a connection with the Office of the Governor-General since 1998 when Sir William Deane AC, KBE became ADF's first Official Patron. Jackie Kay, secretary of the foundation, said: “We are very pleased that His Excellency has chosen to continue this association by taking up Patronage of our organisation, and we look forward to working together to advocate an inclusion for the entire community, including disabled and disadvantaged sailors.

Photo and story: Port Macquarie News True freedom on the water Kathryn Stephens loves the freedom of open water, the wind in her face and the spray off the bow stinging her skin. Kathryn is blind but her greatest joy every Wednesday is joining her sailing partner out on the Hastings River as a part of the Sailability program. Thanks to the ongoing support of local business Smarter Property Group, Kathryn is now commandeering a Hansa sailboat. In two years, Sailability Port Macquarie has steadily grown to provide a safe but challenging sporting activity to about 50 people with disabilities every Wednesday. 60 volunteers run the sailing supported by members of Port Macquarie Yacht Club and Port Macquarie Sailing Club. With financial support of Rotary Clubs, the state government, Port Macquarie- Sailability's Peter Gray, Jim Ringlands, Rick Ella, Hastings Council and local businesses, there are now 10 Hansa dinghies. Kathryn Stephens and Smarter’s Paul Loughland 3 3 Supporting inclusion in sailing clubs Yachting Victoria sets the standard “To create environments that encourage and support inclusion in sailing”, this is the purpose of an impressive new resource developed by a Yachting Victoria project group. This project’s manual lays down the standard required by a Yachting Victoria of all its sailing clubs and yacht clubs. It applies to clubs regardless of whether they host or are associated with Sailability programs. Having been already actioned in Victoria, the project was presented at the meeting of the National Sailability Committee of Yachting Australia at Cruising Yacht Club, Sydney, in December by NSC delegate and Sailing Manager, Royal Brighton Yacht Club, David Staley. What is an inclusive club? To quote the publication: “An inclusive club is one where people, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, ability (or disability), sexuality or income have the opportunities to engage in all club activates, and feel fully accepted. “Sadly, this diversity is not reflected in the membership of most clubs, with sailing perceived to be an exclusive activity, discouraging to disadvantaged Australians. Including people with diverse backgrounds benefits participants, the clubs, members and the surrounding communities.” According to Neil Anderson, Chairman of Sailability Australia, “’Inclusive Club Standard” is a program well worth actioning by other Member Yachting The 25 page manual gives the background (“Sailing Associations and their clubs with the moral support of the Sailability family.” Clubs are not inclusive”), a DIY survey and then lays Another useful resource is the on-line content about inclusion and volunteers. down simple steps to remedy the situation. These Go to www.yachting.org.au/participation. For more information about this include recommended policy and strategy, issues like member attitudes, social support, fees, promotion, program, contact Sarah Ogilvie via email [email protected] or partnerships and accessibility. David Staley [email protected]

Sizzling start to year for Sailability WA

Hosted by Royal Perth Yacht Club, more than 80 volunteers, participants, support workers, family, friends and guests celebrated the new sailing season’s Opening Day with a morning of pleasant sailing followed by a relaxing lunchtime sausage sizzle and social get-together. Participants in wheelchairs were hoisted into Hansa dinghies or laid into bean bags in the cockpits of the yachts. President Graeme Martin presented a plaque to the daughter of the late Reg Willis, who generously donated his 27ft Yacht “Bella Vita” to Sailability WA. (see story opp page). Commodore, Mr Barry Honey, formally declared the Sailability Sailing Season officially open.

Smiley faces and plenty of sunshine Friday 28 November 2014, saw the rural city of Murray Bridge celebrate International Day of People with Disability. Sailability SA program clubs: Adelaide Sailing Club, Port Adelaide Sailing Club, Murray Bridge Water Activi- ties Club and Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club as well as Sailability representatives attended Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge. The team hosted over 64 people, sailing in Hansa dinghies. Groups that attended included: CARA, Lifestyles, CLASS, Murray Bridge Primary School, Fraser Park Primary School and Murray Bridge High School. The day was a fun, eventful day, with lots of smiley faces and plenty of sunshine.

Award for Sailability Capricornia National Hansa Titles to Tassie Sailability Capricornia (Central Qld) To be held at the Derwent Sailing recently. received the Mayor’s award News Squadron in Hobart Easter 2015 for contributions to people with a (3-6 April), this national event will involve disability from Cr Bill Ludwig, the in Tassie’s Sailability members as either Mayor of Livingstone Shire . volunteers or competitors. More info: The award was given “for the great Brief www.ahca.yachting.org.au, go to “News”. support, affection and tireless assistance to young people with disabilities.” The Mayor added: “As a team, News in brief Sailability Capricornia contributes to Sailability Australia and Sailability people with disability, in more social NSW celebrate 20th anniversaries in inclusion, increased recognition of 2015; A new branch opens at Murray equality and human rights for all Bridge SA; Hansa Foundation training Australians. course for intellectually disabled is Well done, Sailability Capricornia! running at Sailability Dobroyd NSW. 4 BIG BOATS AND HAPPY SAILORS

Complementary role of yachts in Sailability programs

Volunteers and sailors at Sailability@RPYC In Perth,

When you think of Sailability, you South Australia Participants undertake sailing crew normally think of messing around in (See cover pic) tasks according to their ability, from small craft, almost always the Sailability at Adelaide Sailing Club’s skippering to general crewing. marvellous Hansa sailcraft. Deirdre and Bob Schahinger were “Where appropriate, we allow But there are a number of Sailability instrumental in setting up a keel-boat monitored handling of the outboard. centres who also use a yacht which is “Come Sailing” program. They are also help with raising halyards, pulling on dedicated to those who prefer this committee members of Sailability SA. sheets and steering under close mode, often as a prelude or alternative The Payne 7.4m Freedom, acquired supervision,” says Graham. to sailing on a Hansa. 2009, sails out of Royal South Australian We have a look at four Sailability Yacht Squadron, with participants and Tasmania communities who have thought big. able-bodied crew in Port River during the Sailability Tasmania operates four week, as well as twilight and weekend Payne 24s in Hobart and Launceston. Queensland competition on Gulf St Vincent's. According to Sailability Tasmania Sailability Bayside, in Manly, runs its Duration is around two hours. President Rod Viney, “Demand for our own yacht “Faith”, a Payne 7.4 metre . There are two crew, and up to six keelboats has increased significantly Kev Maddox, vice-president Sailability sailors, of whom two are carers. There as schools are taking an interest in Bayside and volunteer for ten-plus are sometimes up to four trips a day. sailing experiences, but generally our years explains the policy. Duties include steering, trimming sails. participants consist of groups from “We mostly use the Hansa 303 in fact everything sailors can manage. disability organisations. dinghies, and the disabled sailor, in One of the crew is Craig Gordon who “This activity is one of the highlights of consultation with their carer, decides is totally blind and regularly on the tiller. their week – sailing tends to be calm- which boat they wish to sail. The “The program has given me wonderful ing, especially to the more active disa- sailors are encouraged to do everything opportunities and encouragement to bled person. Some carers are they can do to the limit of their ability participate as a crew on a yacht. being recruited to Sailability Tasmania. such as steering the yacht, handling “From this I have gained the skills and “An audit of our Hobart logbooks sug- ropes etc. the passion for sailing. Otherwise it gests we accommodate in excess of “On Faith, all persons on board wear a would have been extremely difficult to 2000 people per year in the keelboats.” life jacket – auto-inflate on both have been included in this team sport, Risk Management Policy includes disabled sailors and carers. We have being a totally blind and partially deaf control documents that have checking Velcro belts for the use of severely sailor.” periods associated with First Aid Kits, disabled sailors to help them maintain slipping and inspection of boats, buoy- their balance. The mainsheet controls Western Australia ancy vests, radios, hoists, fire extin- have been moved to the helm position.” As part of its impressive fleet of 19 craft, guishers, outboard motors etc. There is There are two crew, up to six disabled (which includes 14 Hansa sailcraft,), a full briefing to clients and induction of sailors plus two carers if needed. The Sailability Royal Perth Yacht Club members. yacht sails on Mondays and Thursdays owns a North Shore 26 yacht called – weather permitting, and does up to Ed. Note: Apologies to those clubs Bela Vita. four trips per day if required. who run keelboats which we could “Some members prefer dinghies, some not include for space reasons yachts, many sail in both”, says RPYC’s Graham White. “It is the preference of the participant except for high-needs participants, who sail only in yachts, using bean-bag support.” Special PFDs are used for special- needs participants, as well as lifting harness and cranes for placing high needs participants into and out of boat.” Sailing on Bela Vita happens up to three times a week with RPYC crew 5 Sailability Bayside , Brisbane qualified in skippering. Sailability Tasmania in Hobart More news 2014/2015 News Disabled Sailor awards: strong Sailability connection in Yachting Australia’s 2014 Sailor of the Year with a Disability went to Brief the team of Fitzgibbon, Tesch, Harrison, Harris, Boaden and Bugg. The team beat GB by one point at the IFDS Worlds to be Sailability gets the numbers in Victoria best performing across all Victorian Sailability delegate David Staley reports that in impressive 4484 individual Paralympic classes, winning the participants participated in Sailability trophy for the first time. Fitzgibbon programs during FY 2013/14. and Tesch were first in the SKUD. Harrison, Harris and Boaden were third in the class and Bugg fifth overall in the 2.4m.These results qualified Australia in all Back: Russell Boaden, Colin Harrison, Jonathon Harris three Paralympic classes for the Front: Liesl Tesch, Dan Fitzgibbon. Matt Bugg Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Footnote: Fitzgibbon/Tesch first in the SKUD 18 at the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Miami Jan ‘15

Sailability key to Wynyard’s national Club of Year Matt Carroll new YA CEO Yachting Australia announced the Wynyard Yacht Club beat much appointment in November of experienced bigger Aussie clubs for Yachting and respected sports administrator Matt Carroll to the role of Chief Executive Australia’s Club of the Year award. Officer. Matt commenced with Yachting The Club introduced Sailability Australia on November 2014, replacing Phil North West by partnering with Jones who is leaving the organisation after North West Residential Support 17 years at the helm Services and Sailability Tasmania. Upon hearing of the award, an Victorian awardees unnamed UK philanthropist gave Russell Philips and Neil Patterson have jointly named 2014 Victorian Sailor of the the club $16,000 to buy two more Year with a Disability. Leanne Thompson vessels for people with disabilities. (AWYC Sailability Coordinator) was named Wynyard Yacht Club stalwarts Dick Lewis, The club has seen membership Victorian Instructor of the Year. Commodore Neal Rodwell, coach Mike Darby, double in 12 months as it made an instructor Angus Thomson and secretary Chris Carers become skippers Symonds and one of their Hansa fleet effort to be more accessible. Sailability Penrith Lakes opened its doors to carers in July to teach the art of sailing and safety requirements to carers from Video case study & volunteer induction on YA website special schools. The idea was to make carers feel comfortable taking their clients for YA has launched some great new a sail on Sailability Penrith’s protected content on the Yachting Australia waters website. Queensland Sailability conference The first is a Sailability video case NSC member and new Sailability study from Royal Perth Yacht Club Queensland president Moe Turaga is off to a about all the volunteer induction flying start organising the Sailability training segments, showing all clubs Queensland conference in March . just how they can be more inclusive. The second is about Wynyard Yacht Club’s outstanding Sailability Sailability WA President Graham Martin presents a program. See this content, go to: video on making disabled sailors welcome at clubs www.yachting.org.au/participation Bundy sails back home to a new pontoon After a year adrift, Sailability Bundaberg has returned to its natural home and magnificent new pontoon at the Bundaberg Sailing 2015 IFDS World Championships in Club after moviing to Burnett Melbourne Heads after the 2013 floods The Royal Yacht Club of Victoria will be According to , hosting the IFDS World Championships in Moe Turaga Melbourne, 26th November - 3rd December Sailability Bundaberg committee 2015. Classes are: 2.4mR (Single handed)– member and President of SKUD 18 (two handed) – Sonar (three Sailability Qld, financial support handed). The event is a country qualifier for came from the Government & NAB. the 2016 Rio Paralympics .The IFDS event "Thanks also to the members of the expects up to 250 athletes from 35 countries. Bundaberg Sailing Club for their 6 efforts in restoring the pontoon.” BRENNAN’S JOY: Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron innovation gives Sailability a lift

An innovative floating pontoon makes it easier for volunteers to pass on their seafaring skills for people of all abilities and share the sense of freedom that comes with sailing

Brennan Reid zips out his life jacket To spare them the physical pain, an “The pontoon also gives Brennan and climbs into a small yacht on the RACV Community Foundation Grant more time at sea. As the young Blairgowrie marina. With the sun shining helped with the recent purchase of an mariner steers the boat, Brian on his face, he looks up with an additional floating pontoon so the observes him with pride. “You get a enormous smile and sails off. squadron can store their latest Hansa real from watching guys like The specialised boats that Brennan 303 dinghy, Fingal Bay, on the water. Brennan get out there.” he says. has spent the last three years learning to Now, a single person can launch the A retired high school principal, Brian sail are impossible to capsize. They’re Hansa dinghy from the pontoon into the joined the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron designed to share the world of sailing water in ten minutes. to continue teaching and continue his with people regardless of age or ability. “The pontoons are imperative,” Brian seafaring passion. “I love it when its breezy,” says 22 year says. “Without funding, the program “My sister had a disability, so I’ve old Brennan, who doesn’t let his would have folded because of the sheer always had an interest in getting intellectual disability get in the way of his physical difficulty. people active.” Brian says. “I see the favourite pastime. “The innovative use of the modular difference it can make.” Under the guidance of programs pontoon system means considerably Brennan sails the boat back and co-director Brian Jones, Brennan has less time and effort to launch and re- volunteers help to return it to the developed the skills to sail solo. trieve the boat. This is much more pontoon. The seafarer looks forward to “Sailing a boat is a complicated thing,” preferable to launching off the beach, developing his sailing skills in the says Brian, explaining that it takes good down a ramp or lowering with cranes. years to come. He is already passing planning to determine wind directions his knowledge on to others. and foresee obstacles. “I’ve been helping people with their “Brennan’s the only participant in his masts and with their ropes, “ Brennan group who can go out on his own. He says. “I have a big dream to one day has developed confidence, but also the to sail out to Melbourne,” he adds. ability to think ahead.” With the determination, he’s shown When the program began 10 years so far, the 34 nautical mile trip into ago, half a dozen seasoned volunteers unexplored territory seems right within would spend an hour each session lug- his reach. ging the 60 kilo boats from the yacht club across the sand to the shore. With thanks to RACV Community The program is run mostly by older Sailability Blairgowrie Program co-director and Foundation for story which originally volunteers to get people onto the water volunteer Brian Jones docks a Hansa dinghy appeared in their Annual Report and and keep programs running. onto the state of the art pontoon Aspire Pictures of Melbourne for images.

Set for Special Olympics Worlds in 2015 For the Special Olympics World Games at Los Angeles in July/Aug 2015, six SO athletes and two unified partners have been selected. Level 1: Sonja Gilmore and Unified Partner Greg Williams; Level 2: Jacob Williams with Unified Partner, Ben Fitzpatrick; Level 3: Alyse Saxby, Melissa Nelson and Chris Ruston; Level 5: Bronwyn Ibbotson and Allister Peek. This selection follows the successful Special Olympics National Games Sailing 7 Regatta which was held Albert Park Lake, Melbourne in November. ACT SO Team L-R: Alister Peek, Catharine Keir, Christine Elliuott, Bronwyn Ibbotson. Sailability 2015

The year, the major events, where to go for more info and your NSC delegate contacts. Enjoy the freedom! (For Hansa Association updates, go to www.ahca.yachting.org.au or find them on Facebook)

Graham Martin WA SA John Johnston David Staley NSC delegate and Victoria Delegate to NSC and Delegate to NSC and President Sailability President of Sailability President Sailability Vic Western Australia South Australia and [email protected] Life Member Port [email protected] Adelaide Sailability Victoria Ann Hodgkinson Sailing Club Coordinator. Lesley Sailability WA Fasala . Her email: Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0417 813 188 March 21-22 March www.sailabilitywa.com.au 31 Jan Victorian Hansa Class Championships February 7-8 South Australian Hansa Class (2.3, 303 and Liberty, SKUD) “Act-Belong-Commit” Hansa Class WA Championships Royal Brighton Yacht Club State Championships” Adelaide Sailing Club Liberty and 303 classes invited. Hosted by 303 doubles and Liberty 20th November– 3rd December RPYC www.sailabilitywa.com.au IFDS World Championships Royal Yacht Club of Victoria

Tasmania NSW Andrew Cribb ACT NSC Delegate Rod Viney Terry Peek NSC delegate, NSC Delegate, Vice- President Sailability Youth Development, Chair - Sailing, Sailability Tasmania, Member of Participation and ACT, Head Coach Bellerive Yacht Club Training Special Olympics and Derwent Sailing Yachting NSW Sailing, Squadron (02) 8073 4900 [email protected] Terry Peek Mob: 0428096731 [email protected] [email protected]

3-6 April 21st-22nd February The regional/state SOA competitions will Australian Hansa Class NSW Hansa Class Championships take place in 2015. Dates yet to be con- Championship Gosford Yacht Club firmed . Check with Terry for updates. Derwent Sailing Squadron, Hobart. Fleets 2.3, 303, SKUD 18 sailed will be 2.3, 303, Liberty, SKUD 18

Qld Moe Turaga NT Gary Martin CO-OPTED NSC Delegate, NSC delegate, President, Sailability Sailability NT and Queensland, Yachting NT Jackie Kay AM PR - Sailability President, member NSC Delegate, Bundaberg Darwin Yacht Club secretary Sailability World, Treasurer IHCA [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Graeme Adam NSC delegate, PR and news editor Member MHYC [email protected] Mob: 0423 741 681

Sailability Australia is the Australian arm of the international Sailability movement with eight state or territory Sailability associations. Australian sailors with disabilities are represented nationally by delegates on Yachting Australia’s Sailability Committee (nominated by State Yachting Associations) and internationally through Yachting Australia’s membership of Sailability World, and the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS)