Private Members' Statements

Tuesday 15 October 2024 

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (15:46): I would like to rise today to acknowledge the opening of the sailing season for this summer. On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the opening days of both the Somerton Yacht Club and the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club. It is fantastic to see tradition continue. I was absolutely privileged to be on the yacht for the sail past at Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club. 

It is a lovely tradition where the entire fleet, no matter what class of boat, comes past and all give three cheers to the commodore, vice commodore and junior commodores on the boat. Some traditions are absolutely well worth maintaining and I think that is one of them. Sailing is one of those sports that all generations can enjoy. I saw seven year olds out on the Opties on the weekend and I saw 80 year olds out on Lasers. It is a fabulous sport that everyone can enjoy. 

I used to go sailing with my dad. We used to sail a Catamaran in the Milang-Goolwa race every year. I used to spend my teenage years hanging out at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club because my best friend's dad was a sailor with the RL24s. I spent my time collecting cans on the front lawn and going down to the deli to trade them in for a packet of chips. That is my lifetime at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club. I wish all sailors well for the season ahead.