Sailability Whitsunday Expands Fleet

 Thanks to the generous donation of a new boat, Sailability Whitsunday is expanding its fleet.

 Sailability Qld President John Hamaty and Sailability life member Stan Phillips are currently in the Whitsundays to promote the organisation and hand over the new boat.

 Sailability Whitsunday President Bruce Carter said Stan Philips had been instrumental in getting the Whitsunday branch off the ground.

 “Through Stan’s initial efforts we’re now here and with the support of the President we’ve been able to provide this as a community service for the disadvantaged people in this area.

 “As we’re limited by time with the tides here, having the third boat will enable us to get more people on the water in a shorter time, which will result in more smiles on dials and that’s the aim of the game,” he said.

 Stan Philips said he was “absolutely thrilled” to be here and see the results of his efforts taking shape.

 “I was the first one to come up here spreading the gospel. On Tuesdays at Sailability on the Gold Coast we handle anything between 80 and 100 disadvantaged people. That’s an expression of what can be done – the potential,” Mr Philips said.

 Sailability Qld President John Hamaty was full of praise for the Whitsunday branch, which is now the tenth and newest in the state.

 “Sailability Whitsunday has a good active committee going and support from the local Rotary and councillors. Everybody’s behind them. It’ll go very well,” he said.

 Members of the community are encouraged to come to the Whitsunday Sailing Club today (July 6) to meet the Sailability crew and see firsthand what the organisation can do.

 “Be inquisitve. Come down. Say “Is this for me?” Come and find out,” Mr Carter said.

 “It’s rewarding for the sailors and the volunteers. If you like seeing smiles this is the place to be,” he said.

 In the long term the organisation is looking for more volunteers and people from all walks of life to participate. For more information contact Bruce Carter on 0407 632 887.