Awards Preview: Yachting New Zealand Service Award Winners

Pieter Besuijen – Macandrew Bay Boating Club

A hardworking yachtsman who puts endless hours into grass-roots sailing, Pieter Besuijen is an integral part of Macandrew Bay Boating Club. His long standing service to adult and junior learn-to-sail classes pays tribute to his overall enthusiasm for the club. His engineering profession has been highly valued in the rebuild of the club wharf and floating jetty facilities, and he is always one of the first to arrive at working bees. Pieter has now stepped back from the committee, on which he has held several positions, but still dedicates hours of his time to the club, including rescue boat duties and club maintenance. 

Jan Dawson – Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Elected by Clubs to the position of Yachting New Zealand President in 2007, Jan Dawson led the organisation with distinction for her six year term as President and Chairperson. An accomplished business woman and mother-of-two, Jan holds a number of roles with the International Sailing Federation including Council Group L representative, Audit Committee Chair, and sits on both the Events Committee and Women’s Forum. Jan’s commitment to the administration of the sport of yachting is also matched by her on-water prowess as a competitive keelboat sailor. 

Ian Fyfe – Queen Charlotte Yacht Club

Ian Fyfe has been involved in Queen Charlotte Yacht Club for decades, and has always believed in the nourishment of young sailors in helping them to improve and perform at their best. Together with two other club members, Ian helped to formulate a high quality coaching programme which has enabled young sailors to seek higher honours in the yachting world, and achieve on national and international levels. The father-of-two has held many offices in the club ranks, and has become part of the backbone of the club’s success. His fundraising initiatives for teams sailing has also paved the way for young sailors to compete, and he remains a constant source of wisdom around the club. 

Christine Hansen – Wakatere Boating Club

Not many people are familiar with the intricate workings of the IT world – but Christine Hansen has shown her expertise in web based skills through years of voluntary support at Wakatere Boating Club. Her work has saved committees and not-for-profit organizations much time and money. Her tireless efforts to develop sites, manufacture presentations and logos for regattas, classes and yacht clubs, while also running her own business, is hugely beneficial. She has also been secretary for the 470 Class and other international events over the last 15 years. 

Tony Kendall – Bucklands Beach Yacht Club

Administration and logistics can sometimes be the more challenging area of a club operation, but Tony Kendall has helped ensure the smooth running of Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, and yachting events in general, for years. Having served both in participation and administration, Tony has consistently chaired meetings, overseen regattas,  managed local and international events, and worked to promote different classes,  whilst also holding office titles in the club. Now, as the club Vice-Patron, he continues to manage both the Townson 32 and Owners Associations, while racing and cruising his own Townson 32. 

Fiona and Peter Marlow – Clarks Beach Yacht Club

The kettle is always on, and a cuppa offered to all by Fiona Marlow at Clarks Beach Yacht Club, who has served in numerous areas of the club over 17 years. The mum-of-three has devoted her time to manage club finances as treasurer, ensuring survival in the tight times, and success in the good times. Fiona is active in nearly all club activities, including the chores that can often be shied away from. A club which prides itself on hospitality, Fiona always goes above and beyond to make it a great place for visiting sailors and locals alike, and she plays a key role in club events, including extensive efforts in communications, booking trips, and making sure everyone is looked after. 

The other half of Fiona – Peter Marlow is a founding member of Clarks Beach Yacht Club, and is recognized for an outstanding 42 years of continued service and enthusiasm to the club. He has played a pivotal role in developing club infrastructure and facilities to ensure members have a safe and functional environment to enjoy. As well as being a competitive sailor, Peter has taken a huge interest in the administration and coaching areas of the club. Passionate about training young people, Peter is always available to run Yachting New Zealand club instructors and race management courses, to ensure the correct skills are being passed on.

Rod McCulloch – Gisborne Yacht Club

Having been a part of Gisborne Yacht Club for over 60 years, Rod McCulloch is now a life member, and continues to volunteer his time and efforts to the club. He joined the club in 1949 as an 11-year-old, once he had saved enough money to buy his first P Class. A long-standing committee member since his days as a junior rep, Rod has always felt privileged to be able to sail, and devoted hours in return to the club in boat building, coaching, club maintenance, and committee meetings. He now runs a patrol boat course and is always available to run learn-to-sail courses for adults and children. After pursuing a competitive sailing career in his younger days, Rod now gets more pleasure out of teaching kids than sailing himself, because of the feedback he receives. 

Bob Shaw – Worser Bay Boating Club

For 18 years, Bob Shaw has managed the books at Worser Bay Boating Club, and is a tireless volunteer who keeps the place in good financial heart. He is known to be one of the calmest and wisest people on the committee, and brings a wealth of history, knowledge, and financial nous to the club. Banking, debt chasing, and sorting budgets is only a snippet of the extensive list of tasks Bob carries out without fail or complaint every month, and has done since 1995. 

Tony Stevenson - Royal Akarana Yacht Club and Ponsonby Cruising Club

An accomplished sailor himself Tony Stevenson is a man passionate about classic yachts and about sharing his love of the sport. Bringing great vision to his role as Chairs of the both the New Zealand Sailing Trust and the Tino Rawa Trust, Tony has been instrumental in the restoration and preservation of some of New Zealand’s most legendary yachts including Lion NZ and Steinlager II as well as some of New Zealand’s B-Division classics, going on to ensure that New Zealand youth have the opportunity to experience sailing and racing on these historic vessels. From fund-raising, to practical hard work, to involving and mentoring youth Tony’s skill is to build camaraderie and get people involved.