Australiana Twilight Sailing
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie..........Get into the Aussie spirit and celebrate all things Australia
at our Australiana Twilight theme night..... see you there!

A Christmas message from the Commodore
Dear Fellow Members,
As 2020 draws to a close we reflect on a what has been a very difficult year for the World, Australia, and our Club. It is with great pride that Middle Harbour Yacht Club is not only financially sound but has been in a process of renewal. We have a new start /mark boat “The Jack Stening”, Two stages of the renewal program for the club are complete, further works are planned for the new year and we have sailed through the winter into summer without a case of COVID-19.
The Cruising Division continues to grow and innovate. They have a strong speaker program scheduled for the year ahead. I commend these talks to everyone in the club. This division has a wealth of knowledge applicable to all sailors. Evan, Kelly, and the committee have some exciting cruises planned for 2021.
Our Sailing Committee, ably led by Geoff Charters, David Staley, Cath, and Kath have an extremely full program of sailing. The combined clubs sailing has seen fleets of 100 or more on the harbour. Our one design fleets are strong and successful. A legacy of COVID-19 is that all fleets are very strong and growing. Youth Sailing has closed out the year with great success at all levels, State and National. Our Youth Sailing and learn to sail groups are growing and vital. We have many parents involved in the Club and are planning some innovative programs through 2021. Alister, Drew and the Youth Sailing Committee are working hard to develop the sailors of the future.
Membership has grown this year, thanks to the membership committee under the leadership of new club Captain Karen Ewels. The challenge is to further develop our social activities through next year post COVID-19.
Sadly, the Sydney to Hobart has been cancelled. We had several boats racing south to Hobart. To those skippers and crew, this a great disappointment after your hard work and preparation and we send you our best wishes. The Breakout Regatta begins on January 18 through January 22, culminating with a beach party. Please get involved it will be great fun, this is of course will be COVID-19 permitting.
Everything that has occurred at the club this year has been made possible due to the diligent and selfless efforts of the Board, The Flags, The Committees, Mark Maybury our new CEO, our fabulous staff, and our dedicated volunteers on water and off. On your behalf I thank them all.
Whatever your plans for Christmas and January be safe and fair winds. As a club we spare a thought for those less well-off this Christmas, within Australia and around the World. We are indeed a fortunate community. We have lost several members this year, they were all good friends and contributed greatly to the club, their spirit will remain alive in our club.
To all members Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
Let us look forward to a great 2021.
Yours in sailing.
Peter Lewis
Commodore
21 December 2020
A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMODORE
Dear Members,
As a truly difficult year nears its end, I thought it pertinent to update you on the Club’s position and plans looking into the near future. You will recall in our previous messaging that the Board’s strategy and plans were designed to ensure our continued financial security, protect the health and safety of our members and implement a maintenance and refurbishment program during the period of limited services. As the year closes out this mission is largely achieved, and the board is cautiously optimistic going into the New Year with all indications that the COVID crisis will abate through the coming year.
You will have observed that the Harbourview room is now open for limited service on Thursday nights and Saturdays and with the continued relaxing of restrictions will open on Wednesdays as well. Whilst it is simply not viable to serve food and drink upstairs, members are very welcome and encouraged to purchase food and drink in the Sandbar and take it upstairs when the Harborview is open.
The Board and management are using this COVID period to review the Club’s long term Strategic Plan and to develop and design a masterplan to take the Club forward into the future. We have consulted with our building and design advisors, Council, and other authorities to ensure any works undertaken are feasible. Detailed work continues in developing the masterplan with the Board hopeful of being able to release this to members for comment early in the new year.
Many of you are keenly interested in the plans for the Club and whilst the details of the masterplan are yet to be finalised, I can give you a little insight into where we are heading. We have been strongly advised that our greatest asset is the beach and most of us are aware of that. As a large part of the Club’s infrastructure and facilities are under-utilised our plan incorporates several stages to further develop and open the Sandbar through to both beaches and creating a much bigger amenity for members. The early stages of this revamp have been completed. The long overdue upgrade to the entrance tiling and gardens is the start of improving the Club’s appearance and further works are underway to improve the entrance and Sandbar area and increase the service capability of the Sandbar kitchen.
Our new surf ski club is now operating from the beach weekly. The front of the Club is being repainted and new signage, lighting and façade will all be complete before year end. In order to facilitate better use of the Sandbar area means we will relocate tenants so that the first of the work on the Sandbar seating area can be created. Through the early part of next year, it is hoped to proceed quickly to completion of further modifications to the Sandbar. We are planning to do this with the minimal impact on access to the marina and members services generally. We do ask however that whatever inconvenience is caused will be accepted with the anticipation of a vastly improved Club for the enjoyment of all.
I would like to close by complimenting each and every member on their spirit of co-operation and interest in the club. The fact that we have sailed right through winter and into summer notwithstanding the inconvenience of COVID limitations is a credit to all. The fact that the Club has robustly withstood the shutdown and is in investing in much needed upgrades is also testament to the Middle Harbour spirit. We could not have undertaken these works without members generous financial support through donations to the MHYC Foundation. Above all, the fact that we raised over $100,000 on a new start and mark boat through this period is truly inspiring. Your continued support of the club through the Foundation is always appreciated.
None of these achievements have occurred without the very hard work of our volunteers, Board, Committees, and Management. Please join me in sincerely thanking them for their tireless efforts through these challenging times. I look forward to your feedback as we continue to unveil the new work on the club.
Yours in sailing
Peter Lewis
Commodore
10 December 2020
Northern Beaches COVID-19 Announcement
Dear Member,
Following advice from NSW Health it is recommended that Club Members that reside in the Northern Beaches Local Government Area (LGA) should isolate at home for the next three (3) days and do not attend the Club for any reason during this period.
Members that live outside the Northern Beaches (LGA) that anticipate attending the Club over the coming period, we kindly request;
- Members and Guests to register via the QR Code (available in the Breezeway) when attending the Club for any reason.
- It is recommended that you wear a face mask when visiting the Club.
- DO NOT attend the Club if you feel unwell, have or show any (even mild) symptoms.
This NSW Health advice will impact our operational staff and therefore we will unfortunately have limited or reduced service capability available across the Club over the coming days.
We would appreciate your understanding as we navigate through this period.
Yours sincerely,
Mark Maybury
Chief Executive Officer
Middle Harbour Yacht Club
Ho, ho, ho, Christmas Twilight Sailing
It's that time of year..... Get into the spirit and celebrate Christmas at our next Twilight theme night..... see you there!
Thursday 17th December, 2020

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Aloha..... Come and join us for our next twilight sailing adventure - Blue Hawaii
Thursday 18th February, 2021

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