Sailability Whitsunday receives 'best' boat

 The presentation of Ben Southall’s Hobie trimaran to charitable organisation Sailability Whitsunday turned out to be an even greater occasion than planned when Sunstate Hobie Director Mal Gray unexpectedly announced, “I’ve just decided to tear the invoice up”.

 Mr Gray had previously agreed to sell the trimaran to Sailability Whitsunday at a reduced cost, having already put it to good use during Ben Southall’s ‘best expedition in the world’.

 “I hadn’t given it a lot of thought before now, but I think it’s a good way to finish off the expedition and I’m sure they (Sailability) can put the money to another really good use,” Mr Gray said.

 Mr Gray said one of the main reasons he decided to make a full donation was “because, like Ben, Sailability were prepared to pay”.

 “I am often approached by people with their hands out. I prefer to give to those who don’t want everything for nothing,” he said.

 “I can see what effort you’ve all put in. You are the generous ones,” Mr Gray told a stunned Sailability Whitsunday President Bruce Carter and his crew.

 Mr Carter said he was “overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone concerned”.

 “The advantage of this boat is we aren’t as tide-reliant as with some of the other vessels. It’s extremely stable and with the trampolines we can have a carer either side of the client. Basically, in conjunction with our three Access-3 dinghies, we now have a range of vessels to suit differing disabilities,” Mr Carter said.

 The Hobie trimaran is in immaculate condition in spite of its gruelling journey along the Great Barrier Reef and comes complete with everything but Ben’s Aussie figurehead “Davo” the glove puppet, who has been “retired”.

 Mr Southall said Friday’s presentation was a “poignant moment” as he farewelled his home of four-and-a-half months and flashed back to his charitable roots.

 “Being patron of something like this is significant for me because it takes me back to my days when I worked for a disabled charity in the UK. It’s a big honour, and comes with the responsibility of helping to promote this throughout Queensland,” he said.

 Friday’s celebrations also included the draw of a 38-prize raffle, which businesses all over the Whitsundays donated to. Mr Carter said funds raised from the raffle would enable Sailability Whitsunday to order a brand new Access-3 dinghy, which was expected to arrive within the next few weeks.

Sailability Whitsunday holds raffle to raise funds

 Sailability Whitsunday is holding a bonanza raffle for the ultimate goal of raising funds to get more disabled and disadvantaged people out on the water.

 Sailability Whitsunday President Bruce Carter says the organisation is currently using borrowed boats, which must eventually be passed on to another upcoming branch.

 “We need to acquire our own boats and have the engineering drawings done (to comply with OH&S) in order to install a derrick (crane), all of which means raising funds. To do this the businesses of the Whitsundays have graciously donated 38 prizes so we can raffle them off and achieve our goals,” Mr Carter said.

 Mr Carter said Sailability Whitsunday was hoping to purchase the Hobie cat used by Ben Southall for his ‘Best Expedition in the World’ and was currently liaising with Ben to deliver the boat towards the end of this month.

 “With the funds from our raffle we will be able to acquire both that particular boat and an access 3.3 dinghy valued at $8,000, to be named ‘Kane” after Danny Kane, a local disabled sailor who passed away last year,” Mr Carter said.

 Regional sales and marketing manager for Fantasea Cruises Jenni Wasson said Fantasea was proud to donate reef trips for the cause.

 “We get asked to donate trips a lot, but when it’s for something like this we don’t even baulk. It’s great to be a part of it,” Ms Wasson said.

 “These are people who don’t have the opportunities the rest of us take for granted. It’s going to bring freedom to them and put smiles on their faces,” she said.

 For more information or to purchase raffle tickets contact Bruce Carter on 0407 632 887.

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.