Minutes for 2023 National J24 Association AGM
Venue: Cronulla Sailing Club
8.30am, 7 January 2022
Members Present
John Crawford
Steve Wright
Hugo Ottaway
Simon Grain
Jack Fullerton
Lawson Shaw
Ramzey el Hila
Dale Sharp
Natalie Butterworth
Janette Syme
Robert Richardson
Deanna Smyth
Roslyn Humphreys
Lee Ebeling
David Wright
Jared Macquart
Alex crisp
Tony Wise
Ian Goodbury
Arthur Crothers
David Mackay
Warren Slater
Darren Cutts
Adam Keys-Tilley
Kristian Thomas
Jordan Sunkel-Lozell
Apologies
Dave West
Last year’s minutes were accepted.
The following reports were accepted.
PRESIDENTS REPORT
Thank you for your attendance at this year’s AGM, making the time to support the National Association.
While most of the racing activities are co-ordinated by the State based Fleets, the National Association has an important role to play in providing support in the areas of Measurement, Class Rules and their application, conveying information to and from the World Association, voicing our Members’ opinions on various issues that arise at the World Association, and enabling our members to attend World Championship events.
It has been a rather better year for sailing than the previous couple; while the COVID pandemic is still with us and some precautions are still required, we have been mostly free of official restrictions and able to conduct racing largely “as normal”
Over the last year there were a number of J sailors leaving the class for various reasons related to family, work and other factors; but we have also had a pleasing number of new sailors come into the class, with the associated boat sales and a fair bit of boat reconditioning. This has been particularly so in Victoria but also here in NSW. Not all new J sailors want to race at the Nationals but it is great to keep the new blood coming in and hopefully staying with the Class.
We are also keenly anticipating the proposed Youth event to be run in Sydney, as a great way to introduce the class to a new group of sailors.
One area I feel needs some time and work this coming year is the Class Register. Unfortunately a number of boats change hands unbeknown to the Association and are sometimes essentially “lost” to us. I will ask the Committee to consider processes we could implement to track some of these boats, and to update the register to hopefully make contact with some of these lost boats and potentially get them involved in Club or Class fleet racing.
The next World Championship is in Thessaloniki, Greece, next September, and its looking like we will have a strong Australian representation. Potentially up to 11 crews will qualify for the event which would be a great result. A number of crews attended the Worlds in Italy and Florida of recent years and are keen to have another go, trying to improve on the last result.
I wish all J24 sailors all the best for the rest of the Championships, and for the coming year.
Steve Wright
Treasurer’s Report
FINANCIAL STATEMENT CALENDAR YEAR 2022
Opening Balance 31/12/21 A$7744.98
INCOME
Memberships 22-23 x 210 A$9223
Royalty Tag Sales Qty 26 A$1300
Tags in hand Qty 13
Total Income A$10523
EXPENDITURE
Memberships to IJCA A$6836.68
Postage A$17.48
Website Hosting A$100
Total Expenditure A$6954.16
Current Balance 3/1/23 A$11313.82
SG advised that the 2022 state fees were not charged by the National Assn as a way of giving back to the class and states due to the healthy bank balance.
Measurer’s Report
Hugo gave a brief overview of the current measurement status and advised the need to make sure we are all on a level playing field as there is considerable money invested in this years Nationals and the potential to go to the Worlds.
Election of Officers
Steve Wright was elected unopposed as President
Hugo Ottaway, Arthur Crothers and Simon Grain were returned to the committee, no other nominations were received.
State reports – informal reports by Adam Keys Tilley, John Crawford, SG advised that SA had seen no improvement in activity, SSF Dave MacKay – 6 boats racing, SSF to rejoin NSW Assn later this year.
AKT – promoted the Vic States at the end of March
JC advised that the Sydney Harbour Regatta is on in early March and the NSW Assn will pay any entry fees. NSW States to be held at RANSA in early November.
2024 Nationals – Due to be held in Melbourne in January 2024, Adam advised that SYC can’t host due to other commitments. SG to sound out Geelong YC. Dale Sharp presented a case for going to Lake Macquarie either next season or in 2025.
Worlds – The 2023 Worlds are due to be held in Greece this year, the current Nationals are the qualifying trials.
The 2023 Worlds are to be held in Thessaloniki in Greece in September 1-9, 2023. There appears to be quite a lot of interest in going to these. The 2023 Nationals will be the qualifying regatta for these worlds.
General Items
Arthur brought up the need to talk to Terry re use of boats and location for Youth and interclub sailing
Masts – SG to further investigate Keely Marine
Hugo – We need to investigate the supply of OS rudders.
Meeting closed at 9.15am