We can be pleased that the 70% double dose vaccination target has been met and that there has been some easing of Government restrictions in Victoria. In particular changes for people in Melbourne allowing travel within Melbourne Metropolitan, groups of up to 15 people can gather outdoors, and the return of community sport at a training level (no competitions).
At Albert Sailing Club there will be people down for casual sailing and informal training activity on Saturday 23rd October. The club boatyard and club toilets can be used, but not the clubrooms or changerooms. The boatyard will be open for those without a key via the centre aisle gates from 1pm to 1.30pm for movement of boats in or out, and for a short period from around 4pm for return of boats. COVID Safe plan requirements including QR codes, face masks, personal hygiene, etc. apply. Club training Zests, Pacers and Lasers available for member use where arrive between 1.30 and 2pm, subject to weather conditions and club flag officer approval on the day. Similar arrangements will apply for Saturday 30th October.
We are planning for commencement of our Spring Sailing program on Saturday 6th November and potentially with our clubrooms re-opening. This will be subject to the 80% double vaccination milestone being reached, the associated Victorian government health directions, and the club having our duty roster and required processes in place.
The government has mandated double COVID-19 vaccinations for all authorised workers, which includes all sailing club volunteers, and for people entering hospitality venues, that would include our clubrooms. When we can re-open the club premises all members and visitors aged 16+ seeking to use our club facilities will need to have been double vaccinated or have a valid exemption and have proof of this on a smartphone or appropriate government issued certificate.
We look forward to the return to sailing at Albert Sailing Club and catching up with members and their guests and potential new members in the coming weeks. Updates will be provided in weekly Thursday Snippets, on our club website and other club communications.
Rod Thomas
for Albert Sailing Club committee
training@albertsc.org.au
Thursday Snippets, 21 October
Thursday Snippets, 14 October
This weekend a few of us who live within 15 kilometres of the club will be down at ASC for our exercise sail sunday 17th 10 am to 1pm, with a forecast of Fine weather, with 5 to 10 knot winds. This is rather than saturday afternoon as we have for the last couple of weeks. The The club’s boatyard will be open 10 to 10.30am and 12.30 to 1pm for movement of boats in and out of the yard, and member single use of a club training boat. COVID Safe plan requirements including QR code sign in for those within 15kms, face masks, etc. apply. And yes the toilets are now open for attending members, but not clubrooms and changerooms.
If you want to sail on saturday the weather forecast is showers and moderate to strong wind, with no-one rostered to open the club boat yard.
In the next few weeks Victoria will reach the 70% and 80% fully vaccinated milestones with easing of restrictions to be announced by the State Government at or just before each milestone is reached. It is expected that community sport and sports club activities will be possible within restrictions from early to mid November. Our club committee members responsible for our COVID Safe plans are closely monitoring Government and Australian Sailing Victoria releases on changes, and providing recommendations to the club committee on COVID safe actions and return to our club.
There are going to be restrictions which will only allow people with evidence of double vaccinations to enter a range of premises and to undertake activities across the State. The strong recommendation is that all club members and others who may want to come the club when restrictions are eased get vaccinated as soon as possible if they have not already done so. Then if you have a smartphone download the Service Victoria app for QR code reading, and link your digital vaccination record to the Service Victoria app via the My Gov application (if you have a My Gov account and have setup the link from Medicare to My Gov). If you don’t have a smartphone check alternatives on the Victorian DHS COVID19 site.
The attached schematic provides instruction on how to setup a smartphone with the relevant links when you have the Service Victoria app and MyGov account.
Rod Thomas
training@albertsc.org.au
Thursday Snippets, 7 October
The forecast is looking reasonable for friday and saturday. For those who live within 15 kilometres of Albert Park Lake you can sail on Albert Park Lake or enjoy the park as part of your exercise regime.
There will be a few of us down sailing on saturday afternoon 9th October. Also some likely on wednesday. For those with a boat in the yard without a key the yard will be open from 1.30 to 2pm on saturday 9th for movement of boats in or out, and opened for a short period mid afternoon.
Some messages for members to note :
* All members should now have received their membership invoice for 2021/22. If you haven’t seen it check your junk or spam email. Invoice queries can be directed to Cindy (commodore@albertssc.org.au) or Joe (treasurer @albertsc.org.au).
* The Australian Sailing Nautical News was sent out this week
Australian Sailing is strongly encouraging all members of the sailing community to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The roadmaps to opening are linked to varying vaccination levels, and the sooner we are all vaccinated, the sooner we can all get back to community sport and on the water. Australian Sailing continues to liaise with state governments on public health orders and advocating for a resumption of sailing for all as soon as possible.
* The October meeting of the Albert Sailing Club committee will be another Zoom meeting at 7.30pm on thursday 14th October. Contact secreatary@albertsc.org.au if you have an item to raise or seek to attend.
The clubrooms including the foyer remain closed. If you are coming down to sail or visit login with QR code at the middle boatyard gate, wear a mask at all times on shore, and maintain distancing in line with gathering limits.
Keep exercising and keep safe
Rod Thomas
training@albertsc.org.au
Thursday Snippets, 30 September
This week the limit for exercise in Melbourne has been extended from 10 kilometres from home to 15 kilometres. This allows a few more of us to go sailing on Albert Park Lake as part of our exercise regime.
On the afternoon of saturday 2nd October there will be a few down sailing on saturday afternoon. With all of us able to get out and about further there will be no late afternoon ASC Zoom catchup session.
If you have a boat in the club boatyard and a boatyard key you can now directly access the yard on any day of the week. For those with a boat in the yard without a key it will be open from 1.30 to 2pm on saturday 2nd for movement of boats in or out of the yard, and opened for a short period mid afternoon. If coming down to sail you need to login with QR code at the middle boatyard gate, wear a mask at all times on shore, and maintain distancing in line with gathering limits.
The clubrooms including the club foyer are not allowed to be opened for club members, most likely till early November or possibly end of October depending on when Melbourne reaches the 80% double vax target. The exception is the year 12 SEDA educational group who will resume midweek classes at ASC at the start of Term 4 on 2nd October.
The first weekend of October is normally the start of the Spring sailing season for Melbourne sailing clubs but again not so this year with government restrictions in force. All events in October have been postponed including the 150th APYC Opening Day event which has been rescheduled to 28 February.
For those within 15 k’s of the Lake in addition to weekend sailing we have a few members sailing midweek when the weather is fine and it fits their schedule. Usually wednesday afternoon. It was tuesday afternoon this past week with Jack out in his Impulse, Silke and her daughter in Mirror, three juniors in Laser 4.7’s, and another junior in a RS Zest. Picture is of Andy in Laser 4.7 and his brother Max in Zest enjoying the Melbourne Spring weather.
Victoria moves to Daylight Saving, with clocks to move forward one hour at 2am on sunday 3rd October.
Enjoy the extra hour of daylight (?) and keep safe
Rod Thomas
vicecommodore@albertsc.org.au
Thursday Snippets, 23 September
Another AFL Grand Final weekend in lockdown this weekend.
There is a Zoom catchup for ASC members and friends of the club at 4.30 on saturday 25th with details below,
For those who live within 10 kilometres of Albert Park Lake you can come down and sail as exercise. The clubrooms are not allowed to be opened, but if you have a boat in the club boatyard and a boatyard key you can now access via one of the gates Lake side. There is no-one rostered to open the gates on the weekend, but some people likely to come down for a sail if the weather conditions are OK.
There are some members on the new ASC mid week Whats App group within the expected 15 kilometer limit planning to sail on wednesday afternoon and also saturday 2nd October, depending on conditions. Updates will be provided on the club website 2 days in advance of each of these days.
Our new ASC membership year commences on 1 October. Members will be sent an email and an Invoice for fees early in the week of 27 September.
The Government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown lists 26 October as indicative date for removal of lockdown regulations with return possible for community sport training, then 5 November indicative date for return to competitive community sport. We look forward to the return to club activities and our clubrooms at the start of November.
The link for the catchup on Zoom on 25 September is
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88091573408
Passcode: ASC
Meeting ID: 880 9157 3408
Attached is Wacky Races at the start line for the Race out of Lockdown in coming weeks. ( c. Hanna-Barbera)
Rod Thomas
vicecommodore@albertsc.org.au
Thursday Snippets, 16 September
Three items this week
* Another saturday afternoon Zoom catchup at 4.30 saturday 18th for ASC members and friends of ASC. Details at base of this Snippets.
* The Spring edition of our quarterly club Newsletter is now available on the home screen of our club website www.albertsc.org.au. It provides a good overview of club activities in the winter months and upcoming when we can resume. There are also flag officer reports, and a number of articles of interest including one on boats sailed at ASC, and one on golden year for Lasers. Fprward a copy to friends or family who may be interested in sailing at Albert Park Lake.
* There is some good news on sailing on Albert Park Lake for people who live within 10 kilometres of the Lake, in particular for those with a boat stored at home.
We received advice from Australian Sailing Victoria on 15 September confirming that Sailing is allowed as a form of exercise.
Updated Governement restrictions for Melbourne from 18 September allow exercise up to 10 kilometres from home for 4 hours, with one other person or up to 5 from 2 households if they have had two COVID jabs.
If you have a boat stored away from Albert Sailing Club you can bring it down to sail on Albert Park Lake. All clubroom facilities remain closed, including the foyer, upstairs clubrooms, changerooms and toilets.
For those with a boat in the club’s ‘open air’ boatyard we are working to provide access on a very limited basis. Entry through the club foyer is not permitted.
We have a couple of club committee members living within 10k’s with a key who can directly access the boatyard.
For the weekend of 18/19 September, the boatyard will be open from 2pm to 3pm on saturday 18th. Entry for members and winter associates with a boat in the yard via the boatyard gates closest to the club foyer.
We will advise of times and arrangements for boatyard access, possibly once or twice per week, on the club website home screen, and in weekly Snippets. All who enter must comply with the ASC COVID Safe Plan, including QR code sign in, physical distancing and wearing of face masks.
Zoom login details for saturday 18th
——————————————
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84619785781
Passcode: ASC
(Meeting ID: 846 1978 5781)
Rod Thomas
vicecommodore@albertsc.org.au
Thursday Snippets, 9 September
This weekend’s activity at Albert Sailing Club is the saturday afternoon Zoom catchup at 4.30. ASC members and friends of ASC most welcome to connect in to the informal saturday chat sessions which will continue while we have lockdown in Melbourne. We had a couple of extra faces last saturday with Pam Webster and Colin Wright joining us with Colin complete with Bulldogs scarf in preparation for the saturday night Bulldogs vs Brisbance clash.
Login on saturday 11th using PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone via https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84835242359 Passcode: ASC
This week’s attachment is an oil painting of the gaff rigged schooner Patanella on approach to Heard Island on the fringe of Antarctica. The painting is by Jack Woods, an ASC member who has been researching and painting pictures of sail boats, in particular classic boats, as a hobby for over 30 years. Jack provides a synopsis of the Patanella’s trip to Heard Island and the mysterious disappearance of Patanella off the NSW coast in 1988 on Patanela If you have an interesting nautical theme painting or photo to share via Snippets send an email to me with attachment via vicecommodore@albertsc.org.au
Rod Thomas
for ASC committee
Thursday Snippets, 2 September
Spring has arrived but sadly with lockdown no activities at Albert Sailing Club or access to clubrooms and boatyard continues. There will be another of our ASC saturday afternoon catchups via Zoom from 4.30 to 5.30 on saturday 21st August. ASC members and friends of ASC most welcome to connect in to the informal saturday afternoon chat sessions. The last couple of saturdays we have had 8 – 10 people online. There is scope for a few more. This week’s login details are below.
Also sadly the two day CitySail Women’s and Girls coaching regatta on Albert Park Lake on 11 and 12 September has had to be cancelled. We recognise the significant work put in by the APYC organisers for theis event. We at Albert Sailing Club are keen to re-commence club activities, including Women’s and Girls activities, when Government Restrictions make it possible to do so.
Details for ASC catchup at 4.30, saturday 4 September
Join Zoom Meeting by PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87648842616
Meeting ID: 876 4884 2616
Passcode: ASC
Upcoming
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On tuesday 7th September at 7PM AEST Australian Sailing is launching an Olympic Webinar Series which will have interviews with some of the key players from the Australia’s Tokyo Olympic Sailing team. The series kicks off on 7th with Michael ‘Blackers’ Blackburn, who won a bronze medal in the Laser class at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and has been the coach of the gold medal winning Laser class Australian at the last 3 Olympics. Michael will discuss his experience at the Tokyo games and in the lead up to the games, followed by a Q&A session. Online bookings (free) are required for the webinar on https://www.sailing.org.au/events/111085/ by Monday 6th September.
On thursday 9th September, we have the monthly ASC general committee meeting at 7.30pm. This will again be an online Zoom meeting. Any members wanting to raise an item for the meeting or attend should email secretary@albertsc.org.au.
Enclosed to this email and Facebook post is “Sailing meets art”. The visual artist, Stefan Szczesny, painted the 17 sustainability goals of UNESCO on 17 mainsails of the German Sailing League’s fleet of J/70 one-design sailboats. The boats with the stunning artistic sails were sailed in the culture regatta “Sailing #Art4GlobalGoals” from Rhine to Düsseldorf in Germany on Sunday 22nd August . Do we have any artists or budding artists with Australian sailing themed art to share online with others ?
Rod Thomas
vicecommodore@albertsc.org.au
Thursday Snippets, 26 August
Sadly no activities at Albert Sailing Club or access to clubrooms and boatyard continues while Government restrictions apply. There will be another online ASC pre Dinner catchup via Zoom from 4.30 to 5.30 on saturday 21st August. ASC members and friends of ASC welcome to attend with login details below.
The club newsletter is being compiled this weekend any contributions should be sent to vicecommodore@albertsc.org.au for onforwarding to the Editor.
Details for ASC pre Dinner catchup 4.30, saturday 28 August
Join Zoom Meeting by PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85165943632
Passcode: ASC
Rock on Rolling Stones and Rolling Stones fans
Rod Thomas
for ASC committee
Thursday Snippets, 28 October
On Friday 29th Victoria is due to reach 80% double dose vaccination targets with further easing of Government restrictions, including being re-united with Regional Victorians. Given that this a “Melbourne Cup Carnival” weekend Albert Sailing Club will have a casual Social Sailing day on Saturday 30th. On Saturday 6th November the club’s Spring season will commence, with an afternoon Trophy Race at 2.30 and expected re-opening of clubrooms and the galley for fully vaccinated members and visitors. Come down for a sail on the 6th (and/or 30th) and spread the good news to family and friends !
On the 30th the club boatyard will be open 11am to 2pm for movement of boats in and out for those without a key and then re-opened for any boats back into the yard at around 4. The club toilets and changerooms will be open with restricted numbers displayed on the doors, with chairs on the grassed areas out front for catchup chats with others,. The club foyer and upstairs clubroom remains closed while we wait for final advice on regulations to apply in those areas, likely to be midweek. Club training boats available for use by members, with boat allocations at 11am and 1pm (see Rod).
The latest (ever changing) COVID Safe plan requirements apply when visiting our club iincluding use of QR codes, face masks inside, and hygiene measures. Evidence of double vaccination against COVID19 will be required for people entering the yard, toilets and/or changerooms with appropriate evidence to be shown to the “COVID Marshall” in the blue vest at or near the entry to the boatyard.
We look forward to the commencement of the Spring Season at ASC on 6th November, and catching with members, families and friends. Following the afternoon trophy race there will be a sausage sizzle barbecue, drinks from “Doug’s Bar” and hopefully weather which is conducive to sitting on the club balcony and taking in the views of the Lake and catching up with others.
Further updates will be provided in weekly Thursday Snippets, on our club website and other club communications.
Rod Thomas
for Albert Sailing Club committee
training@albertsc.org.au
Photo : Jaemie Wilson’s latest acquisition. Out sailing with David Scammell on saturday 23rd October.