Volunteers Key To World Championship Success

What do a retired F-111 pilot, an earth-moving contractor, a farmer, a medical specialist, government employees, a sports administrator, a tourism operator, several retirees and self-employed businessmen have in common on the Sunshine Coast of Queenslan

They are a cross section of the one hundred or so volunteers who are giving many hours of their time to making the ACE Etchells World Championship 2004 an outstanding success.

Mooloolaba Yacht Club and the Mooloolaba Etchells fleet are hosting the World Championship from 28 July through to 8 August, with racing on the offshore course for the 85 boat fleet from 1-8 August. Entries have come from all Australian Etchells fleets and overseas from the USA, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Great Britain and Italy.

The Mooloolaba team has already conducted the 2004 Etchells Australian Winter Championship and two of three Pre-Worlds regattas without a hitch and has achieved its objective of a fleet of 80-plus boats for the Worlds..

Planning for the Worlds is right on track and many of the competitors (and most of the volunteers) will take part in the third and final Pre-Worlds regatta this coming weekend.

“Every one involved in planning and conducting the ACE Etchells World Champion is a volunteer, there is not one person being paid for his or her contribution,” Regatta manager Leith GOULTER said today.

“I have nine enthusiastic team leaders and each one is responsible for a group of further volunteers to handle different areas of the regatta. We have a great team.

“Not only are they working towards the Worlds, but most have been involved in the past two months in the Australian Winter Championships and three special Pre-Worlds regattas,” he added.

While Goulter is Regatta Manager and Onshore Manager, Principle Race Officer for the Worlds is Arthur HODGE, a highly experienced race officer who is responsible for operations on the water, including course selection and the start and finish of each race. Assisting him will be wife, Val, along with a team of six experienced race officers.

Sponsorship has been a key factor for the success of the Etchells Australian Winter Championship, the three Pre-Worlds regattas and ultimately the Worlds, with Mooloolaba Etchells Fleet member Peter Baynes playing a key role in obtaining the major sponsor, ACE (Australian Currency Exchange) and many supporting sponsors.

Other key members of the Management Team are Bill BUTLER (Fleet Captain and Hardstand Manager), Ken DOWN (Master of Ceremonies), Peter CAMPBELL (Press Officer), Peter CARTER (Boat Co-ordinator), Lawrie ABRAHAMSON (Local Measurer and Media Boat Driver), Sue CARTER (Registration and Merchandising), David BROWN (Accounting and Safety Boats), Jon LIDDECOAT (Functions), Karen DEWS (Webmaster), Peter DUNCAN (Photographer, Event Branding and Program Design), Eric PORTER (Loan and Charter Boats), and Tracey JOHNSTONE (Media Centre and Sponsorship support).