22nd August 2006

A new NSW president and generosity from the boating industry
August has been an eventful month for Sailability in NSW. A new president has been elected and the boating industry has shown its generosity to Sailability NSW.
After an illustrious 10 years as founding president of Sailability NSW Incorporated, Neil Anderson has decided to retire. Grahme Rayner has been elected as the new president.
At the recent AGM, there were several speeches of appreciation of Neil’s tireless work in building up Sailability, notably from re-elected treasurer Paul Tayler (Sailability Dobroyd) and secretary Janeen Houghton (Sailability Belmont). Neil was enthusiastically elected as Liaison to NSW Sports Federation and Branch Liaison Officer.
Allan Jones AM, Commodore of Sailability Pittwater and SNSW registrar, and Elizabeth Atkin, Sailability Manly, were elected vice-presidents of Sailability NSW.
New president Grahme Rayner, ex-Army single amputee, has been involved with Sailability NSW for almost as long as Neil.  He has been Vice-president of Sailability NSW and is currently President of Sailability Port Stephens. Rayner was involved in helping set up Sailability in Japan and last year spoke to 40000 delegates about Sailability at a Rotary International Convention in Chicago. He has competed in the BT Global Challenge, Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race.
One week prior to the AGM, at the Sydney Boat Show breakfast, a generous gesture of support to Sailability was announced by Roy Privett, general manager of the Boating Industry Association. Mr Privett presented a cheque for $10,000 to Paul Tayler, Treasurer of Sailability NSW. Commenting on Sailability, Mr Privett said:  “Sailability is devoted to developing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in recreational and competitive sailing.  It is fantastic to see the smiles and joy on the faces of threes folk, giving them the freedom on the water in the ultra-safe and unsinkable Access dinghies.     

“Sailability NSW has been the BIA and Sydney International Boat Show official charity for eight years. They have participated at our Sydney and regional shows in fund-raising activities over this period of time and are also an active participant at our annual Try Sailing Days to encourage young people into sailing and to experience the joys and excitement of being out on the water,” said Mr Privett.                   

 “The late Jan Jones of Sailability NSW made the initial approach to BIA for assistance with their battle with increasing insurance premiums. This donation comes also with a pledge to develop a mechanism to deliver ongoing assistance to Sailability NSW.”