QCYC celebrates 60 years of paradise

Blessed with a beautiful sunny day, we celebrated our 60th Opening Day and Diamond anniversary on 30 October 2022. 

The Club was perfectly prepared at our Working Bee and many volunteers helped to layout the Club ready to receive the gathering of over 100 people invited to help us celebrate this occasion.

To honour the contribution made by our past Commodores and their wives and families, the audience stood to attention as those former leaders filed into the ceremony to “Amazing Grace” played on the bagpipes by Craig Spriggins.   Then, Vice Commodore Janet Torode expressed our gratitude to them and their wives for keeping our Paradise safe.   

Present were Peter Johns, David Pollard, Ken McAllister, Craig Alexander, Miriam Cherry (representing her husband Brian), Betty Morrison (representing her husband Darryl), Brian Golland, Richard Lowe and Immediate Past Commodore, Chris Laker.  

Commodore Lee Renfree welcomed distinguished guests, Commodores from Kindred Clubs and invited the Commander of HMAS Cerebus, Captain Ainsley Morthorpe, to address the crowd and open the season. This was a popular part of the ceremony as he regaled us with hilarious tales of exploits skippering very large frigates on Sydney Harbour and dodging yacht races.  

Then Vicar Tim Gibson blessed the fleet, and the Cross was cast in the water to the sound of the bagpipes playing “We are Sailing”.

Formalities concluded, it was time to enjoy the fabulous spread prepared by Vice Commodore, Janet Torode and her tireless team in the kitchen.  Special thanks to Jane Abbott, Linda Carr, Fiona Harris, Dee Lee, Anne Hunting and to Club Captain Mike Phelan, Read Commodore Sam Davis, and Head of Infrastructure Stephen Comben for keeping all fed and watered.

The wonderful pictures to record our fabulous day were taken by local photographer, Marcel Berens, Sports Media images. Many thanks Marcel.  More images are avalibale in the Photo Gallery