VSKC History

YEAR

PRESIDENT / VICE PRESIDENT / SECRETARY / TREASURER

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

KEY EVENTS

 Steve Weston

Earle Bloomfield

Highlights

• The first sea kayak circumnavigation of Tasmania' by John Brewster and Earle Bloomfield  in 1979

1980

1981

1982

Highlights

• Workshop at Wilsons Prom – attended by Laurie Ford, who paddled across from Tasmania.
• Flinders Island trip – Peter Newman, Andrew Rust (Tasmania), Earle Bloomfield, Steve Weston, Steve Tremont (NSW)

1983

1984

1985

1986

• Larry Gray - Technical Officer
• Frank Bakker - Coastal Advisor
• Colin Addison - VACA Liaison Officer

AGM

Held at Mallacoota. 23 attendees

Membership

34 members (12 from Mallacoota)

Highlights

• Jan – First edition of Sea Trek (newsletter) – Earle paid for the artwork and printing of the front cover (the seagull emblem)
• VACA awarded Olegas Truchanas Canoeing award to Earle Bloomfield for the Australian Kayak Expedition to Greenland.
• Development of Larry Gray’s Pittarak
• Sea kayaking workshop at Wilson’s Prom at Tidal River organised by Malcolm and Sue Cowell

Sea Trek issues

1988 April newsletter – 2^nd edition (numbered as Sea Trek 2)

1988 July newsletter (numbered as Sea Trek 3)

1989

Larry Gray - President

Frank Bakker - Vice President *

Earl Bloomfield - Vice President*

Sally Barton – Secretary and Treasurer

* Two VPs were appointed this year.

Larry Gray - Technical Officer

Frank Bakker - Coastal Advisor

AGM

Held at Port Welshpool

• “The Welshpool centre is sure to be the focus of all kinds of exciting club activities in the future. A mere two hours comfortable drive for Melbourne and within spitting distance of some of the best kayaking waters in the state, this new venue opens up a whole range of possibilities’’.

Highlights

• 10^th Year of the VSKC
• Larry Gray planned trip to PNG has been expanded to become Part 1 of a 6-part documentary series ranging from PNG, Micronesia, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands off Burma, Galapagos Islands, Greenland and Venezuela.
• The club has put together a publicity flyer to promote the role of the club in Sea Kayaking.
• VSKC becomes an Incorporated Club.

Newsletters

1989 November (numbered as Sea Trek 6)

1990

Malcolm Cowell - President

Frank Bakker - Vice President

Earl (VP as well?)

Sally Barton - Secretary and Treasurer

Malcolm Cowell - Coastal Advisor

Earle Bloomfield - Technical Advisor

John Hyndman - Public Officer

AGM

Held at Lakes Entrance

Highlights

March instructor weekend was a Club milestone with 6 new instructors qualifying as Sea Kayak instructors.

1991

Frank Bakker – President

Colin Addison - Vice President

John Hyndman - Secretary and Treasurer

Malcolm Cowell - Coastal Advisor

John Stomps - Technical Advisor

AGM

Held at Gunnamatta.  9/11/1991 22 members attended.

Highlights

• Plans for the year include – Basic Skills and Rolling Day on the Bay in February
• New members – Peter Newman re-joined
• April 1991 – First newsletter (No. 12) to be called Sea Trek
• Earle Bloomfield awarded Life Membership for founder of the VSKC and for his past efforts.

Newsletters

1991 January (numbered as Sea Trek 11)

1991 October (numbered as Sea Trek 14)

1992

Colin Addison - President

John Stomps - Vice President

John Hyndman - Secretary and Treasurer

Graham Wilson - Keeper of charts

John Stomps - Technical Advisor

Laurie Atkins - VACA Delegate

John Hyndman - Sea Trek Editor

Membership

66 members

Highlights

• Ricketts Point skills day
• Proficiency weekend at Gunnamatta
• Rolling sessions booked at the Heidelberg pool
• A new piece of equipment (strobe light) is very useful.
• The rolling course at the Heidelberg Pool was a great success
• Easter around the Prom report by John Stomps

Sea Trek

1992 February

1992 Issue 18

1992 May

1993

John Basemore – President

Keith Mitchener – Vice President

John Stomps – Secretary and Treasurer

Technical Advisor – Doug Silke

Coastal Advisor – Graham Wilson

Public Officer – John Hyndman

Membership

85 members

AGM

Held at Queenscliff

Highlights

• More rolling nights booked at the Heidelberg Pool
• Tasman Peninsula (Tasmania) Trip – Easter 1993 (in conjunction with Tasmanian Sea Canoeing Club) by Rod Cope and three other VSKC members (John Hyndman, Peter Dingle & Angus Walker
• The club has no insurance – so all trips will be an informal association of members and not an officially organised event.  No insurance is because VACA cover specifically excludes sea kayaking)
• Peter Dingle wrote a letter to VSKC Secretary after the AGM day paddle expressing concerns about the number of paddlers and recommending new measures to protect the leaders, participants and the club itself. 

Sea Trek

1993 Issue 19

1993 Issue 20

Ray Musgrave – President

Keith Mitchener – Vice President

Rod Cope – Treasurer and Public Officer

Karen Thornton - Secretary

Chris Sewell - Sea Trek Editor
John Hyndman – Trips and Technical Advisor

Highlights

• President’s Report – the club is becoming more professional. Need for a grading system of some kind
• Discussion of the need for Pod cohesion
• A proposed trip by the ADF to retrace the path of operation Rimau.

Sea Trek issues

• Sea Trek (Feb 1994)
• Sea Trek (May 1994)
• Sea Trek (Aug 1994)
• Sea Trek (Nov 1994)

1995

Ray Musgrave - President and Secretary

Vice President - Mike Cromie

Rod Cope – Treasurer and Public Officer

John Stomps - Equipment Officer

Laurie Atkins - Touring Committee rep

John Basemore - Touring Committee rep

Ray Musgrave - VCA rep

John Basemore - VCA rep

AGM

Held at Queenscliff

Highlights

Insurance policy for committee approved trips

Sea Trek

1995 Issue 21

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Julian Smith - President

Peter Provis - Vice President

Bill Robinson – Secretary and Treasurer

Ray Musgrave – Trips and Technical Advisor

Tina Rowley - Sea Trek Editor

AGM

Held at Phillip Island

Guest speakers at 2000 AGM – Earle Bloomfield and Larry Gray

Over 70 people attended

Membership

150 members

Highlights

• Sea Proficiency Award – both introduction and assessment offered at AGM
• Code of Practice published. ‘It is a series of guidelines that state how members of the VSKC should act when participating in all facets of our sport. It is also intended to demonstrate that we are responsible members of their community and are fully aware of the risks we undertake, and illustrates that we have a code of practise to hopefully cover these situations.’
• VSKC is incorporated
• Preparation of the new Club waiver. This brings the club into line with the policies of similar clubs within Australia and overseas.
• Mention of regular Canadian Bay paddles and using these paddles to practise skills, catering to new members – led by Bill Robinson
• Earle Bloomfield moved that the concept of an information-based website for the club be investigated by the committee’ at 2000 AGM.
• Rolling nights at the Aquatic centre in Frankston. Organised by Julian Smith
• Articles by Peter Treby discussing personal injury litigation and sea kayaking. Discusses need for practical safety measures and insurance coverage against claims by both club members and third parties. Discusses increase to club subscriptions to pay for insurance.

Sea Trek

2000 Issue 37

2000 Issue 40

2000 Issue 38

2000 Issue 39

2000 Issue 40

2001

Julian Smith - President

Peter Provis - Vice President

Bill Robinson - Secretary and Treasurer and Public Officer

Ray Musgrave - Trips and Technical Advisor

Tina Rowley – Sea Trek Editor

AGM

Held at Phillip Island

Discussion at AGM regarding creating a website.

Sea Trek

Newsletter Summer 2001/2002 (Numbered as Sea Trek 43-2)

2002

Julian Smith - President

Peter Provis - Vice President

Bill Robinson - Secretary and Treasurer

Peter Costello - Trips and Technical Advisor and Properties Officer

Tina Rowley – Sea Trek Editor

AGM

Held at Phillip Island

Highlights

• Mention of insurance premiums increasing
• Committee approval of the concept of an inhouse VSKC Sea proficiency award, which would enable members to be able to reach the standard required for some trips.

Sea Trek

Newsletter Summer/Autumn 2002 (numbered as Sea Trek 44-1)

Newsletter Autumn/Winter 2002 (numbered as Sea Trek 44-5)

2003

Peter Provis - President

Peter Treby - Vice President

Mark Heggie – Secretary and Treasurer

AGM

Held at Cowes in 2003

Highlights

• ‘Peter Costello wrestled, coerced and organised into existence our fabulous new website’  
• Members complete Sea Proficiency and are now proficient to VSKC standards
• Rolling nights at Latrobe University

Sea Trek

2003 Issue 47

2004

Peter Provis - President

Peter Treby - Vice President

Mark Heggie – Secretary and Treasurer

Julian Smith – Membership Officer

Roger Ingram – Sea Trek Editor -

Les Bognar - Advertising

Peter Costello - Webmaster

AGM

• Held at Portsea in 2004
• Paul Caffyn – guest speaker
• John Basemore becomes a life member
• ‘Helicopter demonstration rescue by the Southern Peninsula Rescue Service’ at AGM

Highlights

• ‘Rolling classes go on at Frankston - thanks to Julian Smith, and Latrobe - thanks to Ian Jones’
• Red Eye paddle run by Peter Costello meeting at Sandringham next to Hampton jetty. (First time Red Eye mentioned in Sea Trek ed.)
• With the greater public access to the club via al magazine and website membership is up by 40% compared to the previous year
• Sea instructor intake

Sea Trek

2004 Issue 48

2004 Issue 51

2005

Peter Treby - President

Mark Heggie - Vice President

Secretary/treasurer - Les Bognar

Peter Costello - Membership Officer

Tina Rowley - Training Officer

John Woollard - Training Officer

Terry Barry - Training Officer

Peter Dingle - Safety officer

Julian Smith - Trips Officer and Technical Advisor

Peter Costello - Website Officer

Roger Ingram – Sea Trek Editor

AGM

Held at Portsea Camp

Highlights

• VSKC has developed its own internal training scheme…. the training committee has recently developed three levels of competencies for club members….  VSKC competency levels and training – Tina Rowley. John Woollard and Terry Barry
• ‘New website courtesy of Craig Evans’
• Port Phillip Bay circumnavigation - Multi day trip starting and ending at Williamstown beach over several weekends

Sea Trek

2005 Issue 52

2005 Issue 53

2005 Issue 54

2006

Peter Treby - President

Les Bognar - Vice President

Phil and Jackie Woodhouse - Secretary and Treasurer

Raia Wall - Membership Officer

Tina Rowley - Training Officer

John Woollard - Training Officer

Terry Barry - Training Officer

Peter Dingle - Safety officer

Julian Smith - Trips Officer and Technical Advisor

Craig Evans - Webmaster

Peter Costello - Magazine production (coordinator)

Alan Wallace - Magazine production

Peter Dedrick - Magazine production

AGM

Held at Portsea

Highlights

• Planning underway for a plaque to be created and mounted on a pedestal honouring Paul Caffyn’s legendary solo circumnavigation around mainland Australia in 1982
• ‘Cape Contourer's challenge’ by David Golightly. Describes a challenge to ‘bag’ all twenty-two capes on VSKC trips

Sea Trek

2006 issue 56

2007

Les Bognar - President

Terry Barry - Vice President

Greg Gleason - Secretary

Bill Zombor - Treasurer

Raia Wall - Membership Office

Peter Treby - Training Officer

Tod Truscott - Training Officer

Phil Woodhouse - Training Officer

Geoff Brewster - Training Officer

Safety officer - Graham Williams

Terry Barry - Trips Advisor

Julian Smith - Technical Advisor

Craig Evans - Webmaster

Peter Costello - Magazine production (coordinator)

Alan Wallace - Magazine production

Peter Dedrick - Magazine production

AGM

Held at Merricks Lodge

Highlights

Safe Sea kayaking brochure developed

Sea Trek

2007 issue 58

2008

Les Bognar - President

Peter Costello - Vice President

Bill Zombor - Secretary

Greg Gleason - Treasurer

Andrew Campbell - Membership Officer

Phil Woodhouse - Training Manager

Julian Smith - Safety & Technical Officer and Technical Advisor

Raia Wall - Trip convenor

Richard Rawling - Webmaster and Communications

Sea Trek Production:

Andy McKie – Newsletter

Victoria McCaffrey - Annual

Alan Wallace - Layout

AGM

Held at Merricks Lodge

Over 100 members attended

Highlights

• Discussion of expanding assessor and instructor group and increasing number of Level 3 membership
• Nigel Dennis Kayaks. He has had a key role in the establishment of training and accreditation standards in the UK. Nigel will be here for a ‘Show and Tell Night’ On 29 March.
• ‘RAKE: Round Australia Kayak Expedition 25 years on’ by Phil Woodhouse. Article records the commemoration and celebration by the VSKC of the Round Australia Kayak Expedition by Paul Caffyn.
• ‘We have commenced the development of a digestible document that outlines the clubs' principles of operation. The purpose…. to provide all club members with the simple reference point covering trip etiquette, our grading system, and the club’s obligation to its members.’ Les Bognar, President's report

Sea Trek

2008 Issue 60

2008 Issue 62

2009

Peter Costello - President

Greg Gleason - Vice President

Bill Zombor- Secretary

Peter Sharp - Treasurer

Andrew Campbell - Membership Officer

Skills officers

Terry Barry – Skills Officer

Tony Miller – Skills Officer

Raia Wall – Trips Convenor

Neil Brenton – Trips Convenor

Craig Evans - Technical Advisor

Richard Rawling - IT Project Manager  

Sea Trek Production:

Tony Chick – Editor

Roger Taylor - Editor

Alan Wallace - Layout

AGM

Held at Anglesea

Speaker – Sandy Robson

2010

Peter Costello - President

Derek Wilson - Vice President

Andrew Campbell - Secretary

Peter Sharp - Treasurer

Roger Davey - Membership Officer

Terry Barry - Skills Officer

Neil Brenton - Trip Convenor

Craig Evans - Webmaster

Richard Rawling - Technical Officer

Sea Trek Production:

Philip Dyer - Editor

Alan Wallace - Layout

AGM

Held at Anglesea

Speaker Terry Bolland

Highlights

• Robin Boundy takes over the running of the Canadian Bay paddle, taking over from Bill Robinson
• Freya Hoffmeister welcomed by the VSKC at Queenscliff when she finished her circumnavigation Australia. 15 December 2009

Sea Trek

2010 – Issue 65

2011

Terry Barry – President

Derek Wilson - Vice-President

David Golightly – Secretary

Peter Sharp – Treasurer

Rail Wall – Membership Officer

Neil Brenton – Trips Convenor

Robin Boundy – Major Projects

Peter Treby – Communications

John Evertze – Training

Bob Fergie – Sea Trek Editor

AGM and Blue Water Festival

Held at Phillip Island

Highlights

• Ginni Callahan (USA) and Axel Schoevers (Netherlands) present illustrated talk at Mordiallic and held ‘train the trainer’ day

Sea Trek

2011 Issue 68

2012

Terry Barry – President

Grant Stewart – Vice President

David Golightly – Secretary

Adam Fritsch – Treasurer

Raia Wall – Membership Officer

Neil Brenton – Trips Convenor

Vojin Miladinov – Communications

Scott Reid – Major Projects

John Evertze – Training

Bob Fergie – SeaTrek Editor

AGM and Blue Water Festival

Held at Phillip Island

Highlights

• Greenland paddle experts Cheri Perry and Turner Wilson from the USA came out to speak and instruct.
• Stuart Trueman spoke to club members about his history-making 16,000 km unsupported solo expedition around Australia over 18 months
• Purchase of a large-screen Mac computer with professional desktop publishing software to produce Sea Trek.
• The new version of the VSKC paddling competencies has been completed replacing the old blue VSKC log book system. Level 1, 2 & 3 competencies re-written with a clearer and more detailed explanation of the standards and conditions expected.
• Wilderness First Aid course held

Sea Trek

2011 Issue 71

2012 Issue 73

2013

Terry Barry – President

Grant Stewart - Vice-President

David Golightly – Secretary

Raia Wall – Treasurer

Raia Wall – Membership Officer

Neil Brenton – Trips Convenor and Major Projects

Vojin Miladinov – Communications

Robin Boundy – Training

Bob Fergie – Sea Trek Editor

AGM and Forum

• Held at Camp Coolamaton, Banksia Peninsula Paynesville
• Over 100 people attending
• Special guest Eddie Safarik from the Queensland SKC
• Life memberships awarded to Allan Bernardi, Peter Newman, Steve Weston and Paul Snelgrove

Highlights

• VSKC hosted international sea kayaking guru Nigel Foster in February 2013.
• ‘Nigel Foster along with his wife Kristin Nelson spent two weeks with the VSKC in Melbourne. They presented at Mordialloc Yacht club covering their more recent adventures. During subsequent days they offered a range of paddling skill classes for members and instructors.’
• 2013 Australian Sea Kayak Club’s Networking Summit’ at Snake Island
• Guidelines for Life Membership… ratified by the committee and are available on the website. It is hoped that this will provide a clear pathway and guidance for any future nominations for this very special award.
• Sandy Robson spoke about the latest leg of her remarkable journey retracing ‘Oskar Speck’. Over fifty members attended this presentation at the Mordialloc Sailing Club.
• New set of Model Rules which will came into effect automatically on November 24th, 2013.

Sea Trek

2013 Issue 76

2013 Issue 77

21013 Issue 78

2014

Bob Fergie - President

David Golightly - Vice President

Sue Mountford - Secretary

Greg Gleason - Treasurer

Richard Rawling - Membership Officer

Robin Boundy - Trips and Training

Vojin Miladinov - Communications

Helmut Heinze – Sea Trek Editor

AGM

• Held at Camp Coolamaton, Banksia Peninsula, Paynesville
• Guest speakers Scott Donaldson and Jason Beechcroft

Membership

252 members

Highlights

• Second National Sea Kayak Summit
• Phil Klegg is from the UK and will be with us for a two-week period in late February 2014
• Terry Barry The History, Methodology and Limitations of The VSKC Training. Article that describes some of the clubs training history.  Sea Trek 2014 Issue 81

Sea Trek

2013 Issue 78

2015

Bob Fergie - President

David Golightly - Vice President

Sue Mountford - Secretary

Greg Gleason - Treasurer

Richard Rawling - Membership Officer

Brandon Stewart - Trips and Training Coordinator -

Helmut Heinze – Sea Trek Editor

Greg Skowronski - Communications Coordinator

AGM

Held at Cape Paterson

Keynote speakers Julian Smith and Rob Mercer

Membership

232 members

Highlights

• International Paddling Instructor Visit Nick Cunliffe’s visit and training sessions were well supported by the VSKC membership. Nick’s skill sessions were valued and were regarded as some of the highest-level international paddling instruction experienced by the VSKC to date.
• The VSKC has purchased four VHF radios to improve pod communication and on water safety of member trips. Nine trip leaders were subsidised by VSKC to be trained and licensed to use the VHF radios this year.
• Trybooking system used for administrative and financial transactions

Sea Trek

2014/15 Issue 82

2016

Bob Fergie - President

Steve Collins - Vice President

Bronwyn Skowronski - Secretary

Mark Stewart - Treasurer

Richard Rawling – Membership Officer and Trips Coordinator

Brandon Stewart – Training Coordinator

Helmut Heinze – Sea Trek Editor

Greg Skowronski - Communications Coordinator

AGM

Held at Cape Patterson

David Golightly awarded Life Membership

Summary

• New website built by Greg Skowronski
• VSKC Facebook group created
• Farewell ceremony for Mick MacRobb

Sea Trek

2016 Issue 88

2017

Richard Rawling - President

Steve Collins - Vice President

Joe Alberico - Secretary

Mark Stewart - Treasurer

James Balnaves - Membership Coordinator

Pete Wilson - Training Coordinator

Steve Collins – Trips Coordinator

Ben Flora – Sea Trek Editor

Laureen Knight - Communications Coordinator

Sarah Black - Communications Coordinator

AGM

Held at Barwon Heads

Guest speaker Geoff Murray

Highlights

• Sandy Robson’s Germany to Australia by Kayak slide show and talk March 2017
• Review of the club’s grading system
• ‘Number of female paddlers outnumbered the males’ on a four-day paddle to East Snake Island over Easter with 24 paddlers.

Sea Trek

2017 Issue 89

2018

Richard Rawling – President

Peter Newman - Vice President

Joe Alberico - Secretary

Ray Pilbrow - Treasurer

Kathryn Botherway - Membership Coordinator

Ron Morris - Trips Coordinator

Chantelle Mizzi - Communications Coordinator

Ben Flora - Sea Trek Editor

AGM

Held at Barwon Heads

Life Membership awarded to Terry Barry and Peter Costello

Highlights

• Club begins assessment using new grading model using Paddle Australia awards. Sea Skills, Intro to Sea Skills, Sea Leader, Sea Instructor.
• Internal to VSKC, Sea Kayak Basics made a new member requirement.

Sea Trek

2018 Issue 92

2019

Richard Rawling – President

Peter Newman - Vice President

Maggie McPherson - Secretary

Ray Pilbrow - Treasurer

Kate Alberico - Membership Coordinator

Andrew Mueller – Trips Coordinator

Penny Byron – Sea Trek Editor

AGM

Held at Barwon Heads

Guest speaker Shaan Gresser

Membership

206 Members

Highlights

• Introduction to Sea Skills and Sea Skills assessments

Sea Trek

2020 Issue 95

2020

Kate Alberico - President

Peter Newman - Vice President

Maggie McPherson - Secretary

Ray Pilbrow - Treasurer

Evelyn Feller - Membership Coordinator

Ron Morris - Training and Safety Coordinator

Andrew Mueller - Trips Coordinator

Kathryn Botherway - Communications Coordinator

Penny Byron - Sea Trek Editor

AGM

Held via Zoom. No Blue Water Festival due to COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on movement and gatherings

Membership

173 members

Male 72% and Female 28%

Summary

• Early 2020 Paddle Australia assessments continue with Intro to Sea Skills, Sea Skills and Sea Leader certificates awarded
• March 2020 onwards: Covid-19 pandemic.  Restrictions on movement and gathering numbers lead to cancelling paddling trips and social gatherings intermittently throughout 2020.
• Committee meets via zoom conferencing
• New website was launched on 15 November 2020
• Updated trip guidelines published
• ‘Vale Robin Boundy’   Club members share their memories of Robin Boundy
• ‘Vale Steve Weston’ Paul Snelgrove remembers one of the club’s original members

Sea Trek

2020 Issue 95

2021

Kate Alberico - President

Peter Newman - Vice President

Maggie McPherson - Secretary

Sue Mountford - Treasurer

Evelyn Feller - Membership Coordinator

Ron Morris - Training and Safety Coordinator

Andrew Mueller - Trips Coordinator

Kathryn Botherway - Communications Coordinator

AGM

Held via Zoom. No Blue Water Festival due to COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on movement and gatherings.

Life membership awarded to Tina Evertze and John Evertze

Membership

197 Members

Summary

• 2021 COVID impacts; 111 lockdown days and 5 km limitations to most members, lots of cancelled trips.
• Ex gratia payments offered to members in previous and current year in recognition of limited club activities on offer.
• On-line chats and presentations during the lockdown.

2022

Kate Alberico - President

Peter Newman - Vice President

Robert Kenyon - Secretary

Sue Mountford - Treasurer

Sue Collins - Membership Coordinator

Ron Morris - Training and Safety Coordinator

Kathryn Botherway - Communications Coordinator

Denis Clare - Trips Coordinator

Glenn Wilkins - Sea Trek Editor

AGM

Held via Zoom

Blue Water Festival held at Barwon Heads