As we continue to celebrate National Volunteer Week 2020 we have a few more special volunteer stories to showcase. As published this week by Sport Australia; every year, 2.3 million people volunteer in sport and physical activity in Australia – making it the nation’s largest volunteer sector. This contribution is valued at $3 billion but we believe volunteers are priceless. 

Up in the top end at Gove Boat Club (GBC) in NT Brad Smith and Neal “Notch” Baulch have really made an impact to keep their club and the sailing community going strong. After serving as committee members this dynamic duo decided to put their hands up for the top jobs to try and bring GBC from the brink of collapse. 10 years on they have succeeded in getting the club to a healthy financial state and reinvented the club from a pub into a family friendly environment.  

Between them they have done some amazing things that would make any club in the country enviable… GBC now has 1400 members, an accredited Discover Sailing Centre, 16 club owned boats including the recent 4 x Far East 19 additions, waterfront caravan & campground facility, energy efficient cool rooms, extended veranda, new bar, extended rock groin, floating jetty & a paid Club Manager just to name a few things.  Brad and Notch can be found mowing lawns, repairing broken items, giving sailing tips to kids or whatever needs to be done. NT Sailing can’t thank Brad and Notch enough for hanging in there and getting the job done.

Across to Western Australia, Maree Pickett and husband Tom are the force behind the highly successful annual Walpole In The Trees Regatta, WA’s largest regatta. Held on the March long weekend, this year’s event saw over 100 boats competing on the Nornalup Inlet.

Maree was the Commodore of Walpole Yacht Club from 2015 to 2017, in the years when the development and legacy of the regatta was established.

Under Maree’s leadership the event has grown from strength to strength, with not only the small WYC community involved, but also the entire town. Local businesses sponsor the regatta, with residents supporting and loaning equipment to ensure its success.

The In The Trees Regatta is a significant event on the WA sailing calendar and is well supported by people from all over the State. It is also a hugely beneficial event for the local community of Walpole and surrounding towns. The ever-increasing success and relevance of the regatta is due to the tireless work of Maree and the local team.

Another wonderful volunteer from Western Australia; a long-standing and highly regarding Race Management professional is John Taylor. John has been involved as an Official in the sport for over 25 years, dedicating years of service as a member at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.

John is one of three International Race Officers in WA and has been involved in a number of high-profile events over the years, including the Perth 2011 ISAF World Championships, the Warren Jones International Regatta and many State, National and International Championships. As a highly regarded and dedicated Official, John regularly shares his knowledge and skills in a mentoring capacity and in the delivery of Race Officer courses.

Thank you once again to all our amazing volunteers throughout the country for their great contributions to the sailing community and our Clubs!