Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby—Minister for Energy and Environment) (17:23): Mr Temporary Speaker Evans, it is great to see you in the chair tonight given that I am going to acknowledge the Hornsby Ku‑ring‑gai Sailing Club, which recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. This is a group that gets out on the beautiful Hawkesbury River each weekend, giving kids and adults an opportunity not only to learn to sail but also to enjoy spending time on the water. The club celebrated this significant milestone with members, both past and present, at its base at Lookout Bay near Brooklyn.
Since 1968 the club has been running during the summer months from September through to March, allowing kids to take part in learn-to-sail classes and a number of competitive events. Run under the banner of the Hornsby Kur-ring-gai PCYC, the club is going from strength to strength. This is thanks to the hard work of a bunch of dedicated volunteers who are determined to see the club grow and succeed. Kids can join the club from the age of eight. Over the past 50 years a thousand kids have been through the training sessions to go out on the water. The club owns and maintains a number of beginner vessels so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm. On Saturday races are held for more experienced sailors who wish to continue to develop their skills in the sport.
The club was started by the late Jim Brown who, with a bunch of his mates, wanted to sail on the weekend. Since this time many dedicated volunteers have taken on roles, both large and small, to ensure the club's continued success. However, it is the Brown family that needs a special mention. They have contributed many years of service to the club. Jim's son Graham only recently stepped down from the role as commodore and the family was honoured at the fiftieth anniversary celebrations. Their contribution to the club has been immense and I sincerely thank them for everything they have done to make sailing on the Hawkesbury available to so many people across our community. I thank the current committee: commodore, David Downey; vice commodore, Alan Barrett; canteen coordinator, Danielle Bukovinsky; maintenance coordinator, Andrew Eisner; principal race officer, Brian Gleeson; principal training officer and registrar, Alexander Stewart; and safety boat maintenance officer, Greg Lowe.
The general committee includes Brian Gleeson, Chris Wyatt, Ed Kemp, Graham Brown, Jon Sharp, Justin Bakker, Mark H, Patrick Robbins and Ross Bowles. I thank each and every one of you for your time, dedication and remarkable service to our community. I was pleased in 2015 to support the club with a community building partnership grant of $32,964 to upgrade the shed at the site. The club also received $13,500 from NSW Sport and Recreation, which saw the purchase of a safety craft. Supporting the local sporting clubs in Hornsby is something I am always willing to do. I was very pleased to be able to help the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Sailing Club with this funding.
I know the committee hopes the next 50 years will see the club continue to grow and they have already started to recruit for their fifty-first season starting in September. They have something for all skill levels, with learn to sail and the youth racing programs on the Saturday. I would encourage everyone who wishes to know more to jump on their Facebook page or website atwww.hornsbysailing.com. I take this opportunity to congratulate the club on a wonderful 50 years. I wish them every success. I am sure it will continue to succeed for the next 50 years. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous work of so many volunteers in the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Sailing Club and the PCYC.
They dedicate countless hours to making sure that members of the community who have a passion for sailing are able to do so and enjoy it. The Hornsby electorate is a beautiful part of the world and borders one of the most pristine waterways in the nation, the Hawkesbury River. That is where the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Sailing Club is based. It draws so many people who want to participate in a great sporting activity in the natural environment. Fifty years is no small achievement. It has occurred due to the dedication and hard work of so many people: I pay tribute to them and respect what they have done over so many years. I wish them every success. I am sure that 50 years into the future this club will be strong and continue to do great things in our community.
