Newsletter to Club Officials – April 2006 Request for Major Events for 2006/7 Season close on Monday. We have no nominations so far, and encourage your urgent attention for the following events Youth Regatta Victorian Catamaran Championship Victorian Dinghy Championship Victorian Windsurfer Championship Victorian Trailable Championship For details Click Here Host Clubs for 2008 National & International Events. Beyond the current request for major event nominations listed above we will tomorrow (Friday 28th) post on our website selection criteria for applications to host the following major International events 2008 International 470 World Championships for men and women 2008 Finn Gold Cup [World Championship] 2008 Tornado Asia Pacific Championships 2008 Yachting Australia Youth Championships 2007 Australian Women's Match Racing Championship 2007 Australian Match Racing Championship For more information email smaffet@yachtingvictoria.com.au. Applications must be received by 1700 Thursday May 25. Schools Teams Racing next season – Clubs interested in participating in a forum to discuss this are invited to Port Melbourne Yacht Club on Monday May 22 at 7pm. If you are interested please RSVP by email to John Middleton heljay@dodo.com Request for nominations for Yachting Victoria Awards – last chance – Nominations close on Monday May 1 2006. This is your chance to see a member or your club itself ($2000 cash Vic Health Award for Club of the Year) recognised for their achievement. Upcoming Training Courses for Club Officials. If you would like a course conducted at your club or in your area please let Heather know. Generally courses can be run anywhere – provided we have at least 12 participants. Upcoming courses include (details from Heather training@yachtingvictoria.com.au or on our website) Powerboat Handling (TL3) – at Hobsons Bay on May 5, 6 & 7 Safety Boat Handling – at Ranelagh (Mt.Eliza) on June 2 , 3 & 4 and Hampton on June 7, 8 & 9 Club Race Officers – at Somers May 20 & 21 Level 2 First Aid – at Hobsons Bay on May 27 & 28 and Beaumaris on july 9 & 16 Radio Operators – Mordialloc Sailing Club – Thurs evenings 11, 18, 25 & June 1 Instructors – Port Melbourne Yacht Club – Wed evenings May 3, 10, 17, 24 and Sat 27th Official Exemption from club boats being in survey under certain conditions. Clubs and Training Centres should be aware of the legal obligation for a vessel to have a certificate of survey in force according to section 97 of the Act and for the crew to hold appropriate certificate(s) of competency according to section 94 of the Act where the vessel is being used for commercial activities i.e. a fee is being charged. In regard to training and safety management activities conducted by clubs in sailing boats and power boats where fees are charged, an exemption from the requirements for trading vessels has been granted by Marine Safety Victoria on the following conditions: All boats must be owned by a club that is a member of Yachting Victoria and be less than 7.5 metres in length All training must be conducted by an accredited Yachting Australia Training Centre with accredited Yachting Australia Instructors All training must be conducted within 2 nautical miles of recognised club facilities with appropriate observation or safety boats readily available and All boats must otherwise comply with the requirements for recreational vessels under the Marine Act 1988 and the Marine Regulations 1999. General Boating Education & Safety program for primary schools. Yachting Victoria through Ian Wall and Michelle Pickford are currently working with Lifesaving Victoria on the implementation of a general boating education program for years 5 & 6 students. They have invited several clubs and instructors, who have expressed an interest in the past, to assist with the delivery of the education. This could be the start of a very exciting general boating education program for schools. For more details contact Ian or Michelle on 04 2700 1834 or at the office 03 9597 0066 Good stories or pictures for our website? – if you have a great picture or story for our website – please forward it to swatson@yachtingvictoria.com.au Current promotional activity – Michelle Pickford is still doing a brief radio spot at 7.55am each Saturday on SEN Radio. If you have an activity you would like promoted – particularly those relevant to new and non-members – please let her know. Her email is mpickford@yachtingvictoria.com.au Yachting Australia Meetings – this weekend Yachting Australia conducts a series of national meetings in Sydney – at which several Victorians will represent you. More information in the next newsletter.   Ross Kilborn