At the 2026 RPAYC Annual Yachting Presentation, Commodore Robert McClelland delivered a heartfelt reflection on the season, recognising the achievements, commitment and community spirit that define sailing at the Club. His address celebrated not only success on the water, but also the volunteers, crews and supporters who stand behind it.
Good evening, everyone. You know, only sailors really understand how much effort goes into a single season like this one. The early starts, the wet pack-ups, the broken gear, the last-minute crew calls, the volunteers standing out in the rain, the late-night protest hearings, and the long deliveries home. And somehow… we keep coming back for more.
One of the things I love most about RPAYC is that on any given weekend, you can see kids rigging Optis, offshore boats preparing for major races, Olympic campaigners training, members learning to sail for the first time, and volunteers quietly making the whole thing happen behind the scenes. That range, from Optimists to ocean racing, is something incredibly special. Excellence in sailing underpins everything we do, from junior development and learn-to-sail programs through to world championship campaigns and offshore racing.
Tonight is about celebrating the people who make this Club what it is. The sailors, the owners, the crews, the volunteers, the staff, the families, the supporters, and the friendships that sit underneath it all.
It is fantastic to see such a strong turnout tonight with around 150 people here celebrating another remarkable year of sailing at the Alfreds. The 2025–26 season has again been a tremendous one for the Club both on and off the water. Our members have represented RPAYC proudly around Australia and internationally, competing at Hamilton Island, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island, Sail Port Stephens, the Sydney to Hobart and many other major regattas throughout the season.
What is also remarkable about RPAYC is the sheer breadth of sailing taking place across the Club. From Etchells, VX Ones, 11 Metres, ORC racing and Super 40s, through to Wednesday racing, Tuesday and Thursday Twilights, SOPS, estuary racing, offshore and bluewater sailing there is activity and energy right across the Club every week of the year.
The Pittwater Regatta continues to grow into one of the great mixed fleet regattas in Australia, and offshore racing remains a huge part of the Club’s DNA through events such as the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race and the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race. That breadth of sailing opportunity across the Club is something very special. One of the great strengths of RPAYC is the depth of talent coming through our youth pathways and development programs.
This year we have two RPAYC teams heading to Youth World Championships, three teams progressing through the Optimist international pathway, and Daniel Kemp’s team selected for the Youth Match Racing World Championship in Denmark. That pipeline of young sailors coming through the Club is something we should all be very proud of.
We also continue to see RPAYC members competing on the world stage. Mike Ritchie and Chris Way represented RPAYC at the prestigious New York Yacht Club Invitational Regatta. Katie Pellew, together with six fellow RPAYC members, have been selected as part of the Australian team for the inaugural New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship in Newport, Rhode Island.
The team of 10 includes seven sailors from RPAYC, and with only 20 elite international teams invited from around the world, it is an extraordinary reflection of the strength and depth of women’s sailing at our Club. John Bacon again represented the Club internationally in the 5.5 Metre class, while Chris Way and Peter Farrugia competed at the Platu 25 Worlds in Thailand. Louis Tilley also continued his remarkable rise in foiling classes with major WASZP success during the season.
And of course one of the great moments for Australian sailing this year was seeing James Spithill inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame — an extraordinary achievement and a proud moment for RPAYC. The continued growth in women’s sailing at RPAYC has also been a real highlight of the season. And we also continue to lead in community and accessible sailing, ensuring more people than ever can experience the freedom and enjoyment of being out on the water.
This season also brought some very special recognition for the Club. Being recognised as NSW Sailing Club of the Year and as finalists nationally was a tremendous honour and reflects the collective effort of our members, volunteers, staff and sailing community across every level of the Club. Congratulations also to Ted Anderson on receiving a Lifetime Recognition Award. Ted’s contribution to sailing and to RPAYC over many years has been extraordinary and very deserving of this recognition.
And to have our Vice Commodore Julia Hornsby recognised nationally as Australian Sailing Volunteer of the Year is something incredibly special for RPAYC. Julia’s leadership, commitment and contribution to the Club have been exceptional, and we are all extremely proud of her achievement.
But the truth is, none of this happens without an enormous number of people giving their time, energy and passion to the Club. Firstly, to our boat owners and skippers, thank you. Campaigning boats, organising crews, travelling to regattas, maintaining programs and continuing to support sailing at RPAYC is a massive commitment, and the Club is stronger because of you.
To all the crews, the rail meat, the trimmers, the bow teams, the tacticians, the last-minute ring-ins and the people who somehow still turn up after a late finish and a rough forecast — thank you. Sailing is the ultimate team sport, and the friendships built out on the water are a huge part of why we all keep coming back.
And then there are the volunteers. The start boats, the mark layers, the rescue crews, the scorers, the coaches, the protest committees, and the people who quietly pack everything away at the end of the day when everyone else has gone home.
Quite simply, this Club would not function without you. Please give all our volunteers a huge round of applause. I would particularly like to acknowledge Vice Commodore Julia Hornsby, our Rear Commodores and fellow Board Directors for the enormous amount of work that goes into supporting the Club behind the scenes throughout the year. To our General Manager, Jon Harkness, thank you for your leadership and support of sailing across every level of the Club.
To Nick Elliott and the Sailing Office team, Angus Musgrove, Rob Brewer, Adam Hellyer, Brendan Rourke, Bronte Job and the wider team, thank you for delivering one of the best sailing programs anywhere in the country. And to Kylie Brown and the operations team, Facundo and the hospitality staff, administration, marina and all Club staff, thank you for the energy and professionalism you bring to the Club every single week.
This is also my final Yachting Presentation Night as Commodore, and I would genuinely like to thank the members, volunteers, staff and fellow directors for the incredible support over these past years. It has been a privilege to serve this Club. This Club has been building sailors, friendships and lifelong memories for generations, and nights like tonight remind us why that tradition remains so strong.
We continue to build a club where excellence in sailing sits alongside fun, friendship and family, and I believe that combination is what makes RPAYC such a special place. Before I hand over, I would also like to thank Rear Commodore Activities Verity Powers, Marianne Gian and Kirsty Hunter for the enormous effort that has gone into tonight. I think you would all agree the room looks absolutely brilliant, so thank you very much to that team.
And finally, a special thank you to our Rear Commodore Yachting, Peter Farrugia, for the enormous passion, energy and commitment he brings to sailing at RPAYC.
Peter has worked incredibly hard promoting the Club, supporting owners and crews, building relationships throughout the sailing community and helping continue the momentum and profile of yachting at the Alfreds. Peter, thank you, mate.