Issue date
Later this month the yachting community will come together to celebrate the year’s successes, achievements and contribution to our sport at the 2015 Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards.
Every year Yachting New Zealand receives a wad of nominations in the Service Award category, the calibre of which never ceases to amaze. Restricted to an annual ‘budget’ of just ten Service Awards it can be a tough job for the judging panel to narrow it down.
The short story is that around New Zealand there are dozens of individuals who quietly contribute hours and hours of service to the sport which we’re all passionate about. These are the people that make our yacht clubs, our class associations and our key regattas tick – and without them things would fall apart.
They all deserve a thank you – every time you see them on the beach or at the lake. And it is Yachting New Zealand’s pleasure to say thank you and pay tribute to their efforts, with a Service Award.
In the lead up to the 2015 Volvo Yachting Excellence Awards, on in Auckland on 27 November, we bring you a feature on each of the ten 2015 Service Award winners. Today we focus on Merlin Caskie.
Merlin Caskie – for services to Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club
Merlin has been a life-long sailor and is a stalwart of Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club. Merlin joined Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club in April 1978 and has been a committee member from 1979 to 1982 and from 1997 to 2000. Merlin has been Club Treasurer from 2007 to 2015.
Merlin is the Club’s race officer and Treasurer and was elected life member of Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club in 2013 in recognition of his many years of outstanding service to the club and the sport of sailing. As the Club’s Race Officer Merlin has performed that task, as well as safety boat operator, every race day for many years, usually on his own.
Merlin does an outstanding job of promoting the sport of sailing, acting as our club ambassador for visitors, and also assists at Tamaki Yacht Club on their race days.
Most amazingly Merlin has won 72 Club trophies racing Lasers between 1978 and 1998 and was nominated Sportsman of the Year in 1993. An amazing feat, and an invaluable contribution to the club that they proudly acknowledge.
(Extracted from Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club’s nomination)
