Elwood Sailing Club
Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Elwood Sailing Club Inc. will be held as an on-line Zoom video meeting, on Friday 11^th September, from 7.00 – 8:30 pm.

This Notice contains information on how to use Zoom, and information you need to send to the Secretary if you are planning to attend, or are nominating a proxy, or are nominating for the General Committee.

AGM Attendance

To attend and vote at the AGM you must be a current financial member. Senior, Family Partner, Life, or Junior members are entitled to vote; Associate Members are not.

If you plan to attend the meeting, please advise by email to secretary@elwoodsc.com by September 4. 

Dear Members,

Due to reimposition of COVID19 Stage 3 restrictions the Club has been closed and key fobs have been turned off. If you wish to remove your boat or other equipment from the club please contact our manager Amanda to arrange the time when your key fob will be turned on (03 9531 4743  manager@elwoodsc.com). Work on your boat at the club is not permitted.

The advice from Australian Sailing is as follows:

With the recent easing of some Government restrictions the Club is hoping to provide more access to the boat storage area, the ground floor change rooms, and the first floor club room and deck areas. We will announce the changes when we have approval from the Council. In the meantime we all must continue to follow the existing rules on access. Please remember that following the recent increase in COVID19 cases the police have again been empowered to issue on-the-spot fines for non-compliance to individuals and organisations.

  From Monday 1st June

Reopening for Recreational Sailing and Boat Maintenance

Following relaxation of the COVID rules concerning gatherings and sports the club will reopen for recreational sailing and boat maintenance on Monday June 1.

The following requirements when attending the club are intended to be in line with the Victorian Government COVID19 community health regulations and advice as they apply to boating and sailing, and the Australian Sailing guidelines. The specific plan for ESC has been approved by the City of Port Philip Council and must be complied with.

Monday’s announcement from the Victorian Government clearly now permits recreational boating, subject to maintaining at all times the social distancing rules of  1.5m separation (apart from family members you live with), and with no more than 10 people in a group (outside). Club facilities must remain closed, except toilets.    For the time being ESC club house including the ground floor will remain closed, in line with the direction on use of facilities, and to protect member and staff health. We expect to receive further guidance from Australian Sailing, and will advise if there are any changes. Hopefully there will be further easing of the restrictions at the end of May. 

Last Friday night the Chief Health Officer (CHO) made an announcement that paddles sports are now included in the exercise clause of a reason to leave home.  At this stage windpowered sports are still part of the prohibited activity of recreational boating.  As shown last week on the Better Boating website – windsurfing and Kitesurfing are included in the scope of recreational boating.

In the interests of the health and safety of members, and in response to the Stage 3 restrictions in effect from mid-night March 30th we have taken the decision to suspend all club activities including access to the ground floor boat storage area. If you want to remove your boats/boards and other personal equipment from the storage area you will have access until mid-night (tonight) Monday 30th March using your key fob. Access after that time for boat/board removal will need to be organised by contacting the manager Manager@Elwoodsc.com At all times you should comply with social distancing and hygiene requirements. It is with much regret that this temporary action needs to be taken.

ESC NEWS:

The Council, in consultation with the local police, has closed all City of Port Phillip beaches from 6 pm Friday 27th March.

While people will still be able to access the beaches as a thoroughfare, such as for a run or walking a dog, the closure is aimed at beaches not being used as a gathering place during the COVID-19 crisis. Swimming is allowed at this stage, as long as social distancing and mass gathering rules are obeyed. Boat launches at St Kilda Marina are unaffected.

I would like to update everybody on the current status of club use.

Since we published the last information/ newsletter there have been several changes.

Currently the ground floor of the club is open for normal club activities. We encourage all members to continue their on water enjoyment, be it sailing, windsurfing, SUP etc. However it becomes paramount that anyone who ventures out from the club on to the water does so in a safe and responsible manner. We recommend taking into account your own on water capabilities vs the conditions of wind, sea state, and any forecast changes. We also highly recommend not leaving the beach without one or more, fellow members.

Important Information on the CoronaVirus COVID19

Elwood Sailing Club is following the advice provided by health authorities for individuals and establishments like our own: our priority is the health of members and staff.  As the advice from authorities is updated our actions will change and we ask that members similarly remain aware of, and follow public health recommendations.

Changes to Racing