Sailability
Sailability World Inc. operates in numerous countries throughout the world, through activities at 350 local Sailability clubs. Sailability is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organisation which, through the activity of sailing, enriches the lives of people with any type of disability, the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged. Half of the ACT Branch members have a recognised disability.
Members visiting Lake Tuggeranong may well see a dinghy with Lord’s Taverners signage sailing on the Lake. Responding to a request from Sailability ACT in 2009 we donated $9,576 to cover the purchase and 5 years insurance and maintenance of a two-seater Access 303 dinghy. The dinghy was built in Indonesia.
On Australia Day 2010, “The Taverner”, a sailing dinghy was launched by Chairman David Nicholls at the Canberra Yacht Club on Lake Burley Griffin. The dinghy is a purpose-built boat for use by disadvantaged and disabled sailors. It has been modified, designed for safety and fitted with harnesses. We have asked that as far as practicable priority use be given to young people with a disability.
Despite his submariner background David managed to keep the dinghy afloat and it was launched with champagne and a Bradman 20cent piece under the mast, a tradition for newly built boats – gold is preferred but in this case silver was favoured for its cricket connection.
At the launch David Nicholls said “Our ability to provide Sailability with a craft will give some disabled young people a much more enjoyable life. People that are disabled need a lot of help to get around. Out there on a boat, doing it all for themselves, they get a great sense of independence.”
The dinghy was on display at the Taverners Golf Day on 1 March and received a number of favourable comments.
BREEZY: Lord’s Taverners ACT chairman David Nicholls and sailor Alan Peake in Taverner.