Tony Abbott, Malcolm Stradwick and Sir James Hardy at the opening ceremony.
Every year Access Class Dinghies hold a World Championship and, in 2011, Middle Harbour Yacht Club at the Spit in Mosman won the right to hold the event in 2012.
Under Commodore Julie Hodder, they formed an Organising Committee. The Committee contacted sailing icon RW Bro Sir James Hardy, Kt OBE PDGM, and asked him to be Patron for the event. Sir James replied that he would be honoured. When asked about who the Committee could contact for sponsorship, Sir James suggested contacting RW Bro Malcolm Stradwick PRGC who is the Foundation Worshipful Master of Lodge Sir James Hardy No 1046.
At an early Organising Committee Meeting which Malcolm attended, taking with him the IG of the Lodge, Bro James Young, a professional sailor, Malcolm committed Freemasonry to Bronze Membership and James committed ‘a day on the harbour on his two Merit Volvos’ to the Charity Auction to be held early in 2012. At this auction, James’ donation went at $3,500.00.
With help from Bro Noel Ramsden of L Sir James Hardy who designed and made a Masonic ring for a raffle and the Artarmon Masonic Hall Company, the donation for Bronze Sponsorship was raised.
“We are so very grateful to the generosity of the Hall Company.” Malcolm said in Open Lodge. “They donate in the vicinity of $25,000 per year.”
During visitations to Lodges and via many emails, Malcolm encouraged Masons to enlist as volunteers for the event. It would not be possible to list all the Masons one saw during the six days at Middle Harbour, from the car park to check in; to the rescue boats and to general helpers.
At the Opening Ceremony for the Event on Easter Sunday, the Square and Compasses were well exposed at the top of the stairs and then in the main marquee where participants, careers and spectators gathered. There were 130 contestants from 9 countries with many hundreds of onlookers. 140 Masonic awareness kits were distributed.
In his Welcome, Sir James wished the contestants ‘good sailing’ and said how proud he was to be involved.
During the event, Sir James hosted VIPs on his classic yacht Nerida with Malcolm crewing, taking the VIPs out to watch the races while partaking in some fine Hardy’s wines.
Equal Access: What makes this sporting event unusual is that contestants are both people with disabilities [85%] competing with each other and able-bodied sailors [15%]. Chris Mitchell who designed the craft told Sir James and Malcolm that there is no advantage to any person in his 8ft, 10f, 12ft and 20ft dinghies. Some steer by levers. Another has a small stick which is steered by the toes by Ame Barnbrook who was born with no arms and only half a leg with 3 toes. Chris has agreed to deliver a presentation on how the designer of the different craft evolved at Lodge Sir James Hardy’s June meeting at Artarmon on Tuesday, June 5th.
Sailability: Many yachts in the ACT and at Gosford are seen with the Square and Compasses on the sales from Masonic involvement in this great charity. VW Bro Terry Peek of L Perfect of Canberra is the President. Along with Sir James, Terry presented some of the winning trophies at the Closing Ceremony.
If any of the people with disabilities were asked as to why they love sailing the answer will be ‘the freedom’.
Freemasons to the Community: From the Square and Compasses on the entry to the club and exposure in the marquee, Freemasonry was mention many times in the press releases distributed by the publicity management for the event.
One press release included: Malcolm Stradwick from the Freemasons, said they were committed to raising $5000 towards the event, commenting: “The Freemasons have been supporting Sailability for many years in many locations and are now proud to sponsor this event and, at the same time, support the Foundation Honorary Member of our Lodge; Lodge Sir James Hardy.”
And another: Sir James Hardy, in his position of Patron for the Macquarie Access World Championships, has been present for the entire week, and is consequently in an ideal position to give a full overview. Sir James, a speaker at the Opening Ceremony, found the whole event “A-grade… the MC, Errol (of EJP Communications), ran a tight ship,” he said. Sir James was also impressed by the Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott, “speaking from the heart.” An outstanding sailor himself, Sir James found the competitors “dauntless with amazing spirit,” and said that they had given him a “serious education.”
The Sydney-based yachtsman has also been helping out in his own way; taking out volunteers, sailors and spectators on his famous wooden yacht, Nerida, to watch racing.
Sir James lived up to that charge of his Freemasons Lodge, a sponsor of the event. “Meeting in the grand design of being happy and conferring happiness to others,” being generous with his time, yacht and food. When asked about his opinion of Middle Harbour Yacht Club as a venue he simply said: “Full credit to Middle Harbour Yacht Club Commodore, Julie Hodder. Julie contacted me a year ago to be Patron of the regatta and the preparation has gone on that long.”
This truly was a great event – not only bringing joy and freedom to those with disabilities but with the added excitement of bringing Freemasonry to the community.
The sign at the entrance of the venue.
The signs in the main marquee.
Yvonne Schramme:
Yvonne was not wanting to ‘sit around’ went out at 73 and learned to sail. Yvonne is now 83 and is still ‘sailing strong’.
Yvonne with Mrs Jenny Sturrock from Middle Harbour Yacht Club and hostess
on board Nerida for the event, Sir James Hardy and Malcolm Stradwick.
Nerida with a VIPs on Board.