Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD)

2012 – 2013 ANNUAL REPORT

Contents

Presidents Report

The Board

Patrons

Purpose and Vision

What is SWD

Programs (TSD, WoC,NC)

Racing - Participation and Achievements

Volunteers

Sponsorship

faceboat

Management Structure and Future Plan

Financial Summary

Member List

Client List

The Board of Sailors with disABILITIES

DAVID LESLIE - President

David has been a member of SWD for 10 years and a

member of the executive on and off over 8 years, having

been a general member and former secretary.

He is Medical Radiographer by profession and holds a post

graduate degree in Health Sciences and a Diploma in

Business Administration. He now specialises in radiation

safety and education services. David manages a radiation

safety and consultancy business specialising in medical

diagnostic imaging certification and dosimetry, environmental

surveys and radiation safety education. It was this that

brought him to Sydney in 2000 to start up the consultancy.

Through sailing and professional contacts he was introduced

to David Pescud and SWD.

David has an inherited disability, called CMT (Charcot Marie

Toothe Syndrome) which is an inherited neuro-muscular

condition affecting the legs and hands to varying degrees

from person to person.

He has been sailing since a junior, so was early on aware of

the ability that sailing as recreation brings to those who have

a disability. David went on to skipper performance dinghies

like the 505 and then into keel boats. He sailed his first

Sydney-Hobart in 1994, the same year as the first SWD

entry and thereby took an immediate interest in the growth

and progress of the organisation. There was a natural

empathy for the cause.

David has continued as President of SWD for the last 4

years during a phase of rapid growth in programmes and

assets.

DAVID PESCUD – Founder and Vice President

David is dyslexic. He can't read or write and left school at 15.

Yet he retired a multi-millionaire in his early 40s to devote his

life to his first love, sailing.

More particularly, to devote himself to creating the

opportunity for disabled people, especially kids, to learn to

sail.

David founded SWD in 1994, when he pulled together the

first crew of disabled sailors to enter the 50th

anniversary

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

SWD is about to enter its 20th year.

David is a man on a mission to show that disabled people

can take their place alongside the able-bodied, "ABs" as he

calls them, and have their abilities acknowledged ahead of

their disabilities.

"Sailing is the great equaliser. When the chips are down in

the Rolex Sydney to Hobart, everyone's a cripple. In the pitch

dark of a moonless night, everyone's blind. In a howling

storm, everyone's deaf. When the boat's deck is riding at 90

degrees to the water no-one can walk, everyone scuttles

around on their bum."

This year David won the NSW Disability Industry Innovation

Award for Distinguished Service, recognising his

contributions over the last two decades.

JIM IGOE – Treasurer

Jim was born in the U.S.A and educated in Ireland and the U.S. He has lived in Ireland, France Italy and New York. Jim ran a small business in New York City from 1979-89 before moving to Australia in 1990 with his family and he’s here to stay. He was previously Treasurer of a small independent school

in Lane Cove.

Jim joined SWD “sometime in 2010 I think Why? Fred said SWD needed volunteers and it was fun..... and it is.”

ALLAN GRUNDY – Secretary

Allan Grundy contracted polio in 1954 and wears a full

calliper on his right leg.

In 1993 Allan received a newsletter from Post Polio Network,

inside he found an article, seeking “sailors with disabilities” to

join a crew and enter the 50th anniversary S2H. In 1994 it

was going to be a once only adventure but he found a real

passion in sailing and especially with SWD, it made him see

“what I can do and how incredibly fortunate I am.”

Allan is Office Manager at BioScientific, an

importer/distributor of medical research products to Hospitals

and Universities throughout Australia and New Zealand.

GARY DONOVAN – Board Member

A lawyer and regulatory consultant for over 30 years, Gary is

principal of International Access Australia and a board

member of W&H Lawyers Australia.

He is regularly retained as a consulting lawyer by a number

of law firms, businesses and government. Official

appointments have included Advisory Committee to NSW

Government on Socio-Economic Analysis, the NSW

Government Water Advisory Council and the Small Business

Development Council of NSW. Private appointments include

Director NSW Irrigators Council.

Gary has taught law and management at universities and

TAFE continuously for more than 20 years. He is YA Coastal

Skipper qualified and is the proud owner of a Northshore 33.

Gary has been a member of SWD for 6 years. He joined for

the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities on a

good boat, with friendly and welcoming people and found

that as a person who was hearing impaired, there was

understanding and encouragement.

MARK BARKER – Board Member

Mark became a major part of SWD through our affiliation with

RFD – Survitec. As an organisation devoted to safety and

sailing SWD and RFD became a good fit, and Mark loved the

opportunity to be a part of our Try Sail days.

He started to take a greater interest and as a member of the

SWD Board was able to bring his managerial skills and

knowledge of the greater safety aspects required by SWD

when dealing with people with disabilities.

In early 2013 Mark had the opportunity to move up in the

RFD-Survitec group but that meant moving to the UK. It was

too good an opportunity to refuse and he will be missed by

us.

RUTH LAWRENCE - Board Member

Ruth Lawrence was enthusiastic to become a board member

with SWD. She is a keen and competitive sailor and had

been a member and volunteer in many SWD projects

including the Northern Campaign.

Ruth became a Board member in 2012 and just after, gained

a new and exciting work opportunity. As the work load

increased plus her commitment to her family combined to

prevent her from donating the amount of time required as a

member of the Board of SWD.

PATRONS

MALCOLM TURNBULL

Malcolm Turnbull is a member of the House of

Representatives and is currently Shadow Minister for

Communications and Broadband. He was Leader of the

Opposition from 16 September 2008 to 1 December 2009

and prior to that Shadow Treasurer. Elected to Federal

Parliament as the Member for Wentworth in 2004, Malcolm

was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister

with responsibility for national water policy, and in 2007

appointed to Cabinet as the Minister for Environment and

Water Resources.

Mr Turnbull graduated from Sydney University with degrees

in Arts and Law. He was a Rhodes scholar and completed a

further law degree at Oxford. Malcolm worked as a journalist

both in Australia and the United Kingdom before he began

legal practice in 1980. He successfully defended the former

MI5 agent Peter Wright in his efforts to publish his memoirs,

Spycatcher.

He established his own investment banking firm in 1987 and

during that time co-founded a number of Australian

companies including OzEmail Ltd, Australia first large

Internet service provider. He joined Goldman Sachs & Co in

1997 as Chairman of its Australian business becoming a

partner of the global firm in 1998.

He is married to Lucy and they have two adult children.

IAN KIERNAN AO

Ian Kiernan is the founder and Chairman of Clean Up

Australia and Clean Up the World – a community based

organisation which aims to inspire and work with

communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our

environment.

Clean Up Australia voices community concerns on the state

of the environment and the need for ongoing care, while

facilitating the restoration of environmental assets and

assisting communities to reduce their environmental

footprint. It advocates practical community-based solutions

on issues such as extended producer responsibility,

container deposit systems, resource re-use, electronics

recycling and the adoption of widespread environment-

friendly practices.

Clean Up the World partners with the United Nations

Environment Programme (UNEP) to inspire individuals and

communities from every corner of the globe to make their

environment a cleaner, healthier place to live. Clean Up the

World mobilises an estimated 35 million volunteers from 130

countries annually.

As an avid sailor and Ambassador for the Great Barrier Reef,

Ian maintains his love for the sea as patron of a number of

sailing groups including ASPECT, Sailors with Disabilities,

SCEGGS Redlands and Scots College Youth Sailing

Programmes.

Who and What is Sailors with disABILITIES In 1994, Sailors with disABILITIES (SWD) was formed as a non-profit organisation to offer people with disabilities the opportunity to go sailing. SWD is made up of a group of dedicated people, who love sailing and want to encourage others, no matter their abilities, to share their pleasure in the sport that is exhilarating, fun and challenging. We are committed to changing society's perception of people with disabilities, and the way they regard themselves by providing the tools to build confidence and self-esteem. Harbour sailing, ocean racing, the youth program and the inshore and coastal training program are just some of the ways of achieving this. Our vision is to take ownership of our circumstances and create vehicles to demonstrate what can be achieved.

SWD's mission is to heighten community awareness of the disabled. SWDs members believe that disabled people are able people, capable of participating in active and responsible roles within society and to be treated as equals.

Our activities are aimed at helping people with a disability demonstrate their skills, dedication and commitment to achieving their goals. There are many levels of sailing that can be achieved and all sailors compete at the same level as the sea makes no allowances for anyone. Our vision is to take ownership of our circumstances and create vehicles to demonstrate what can be achieved. We are a not for profit organisation founded in 1994 which uses integrated sailing as a medium to deliver free programs to disabled and disadvantaged children, adults and their carers Up to 4,000 children a year participate in our programs during the week and on weekends, supported by 150 volunteers on Sydney Harbour and along the east coast of Australia. Harbour sailing, ocean racing, youth and schools’ programs, and inshore and coastal sail training programs are just some of the ways SWD achieves this goal. We are working hard to continue to offer this service free of charge, but we need to rely on the generosity of our sponsors and volunteers. Please visit our website for further information about our organisation: www.sailorswithdisabilities.com.

SWD Fast Facts:

Sailors with disABILTIES, is SWD.

Founded by David Pescud in 1994, when David pulled together the first disabled crew to embark on the

50th Anniversary Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

SWD is about to enter its 20th year.

1 in 4 people are disabled... Yes, 1 in 4. That is 25% of your community.

Annually, SWD helps up to 4,000 kids and young adults with a disability, or who are disadvantaged, to

experience the thrill of sailing with the objective of building confidence and self-esteem to help them say “I

Can”, and make a greater contribution to those around them and society in general.

As part of our programs SWD sets sail from Sydney to Mackay and return to help even more people with a

disability or disadvantaged who don’t have the opportunity to come to Sydney to take part in our programs.

So we go to them.

SWD offer all our programmes free of charge to the community and, at present, without any Government

funding.

We heavily rely on a small pool of regular volunteers to man the boats and teach our youth new skills every

week.

SWDs dedicated volunteers want to make a difference, payment is in the young people’s enjoyment as the

ocean breeze hits their faces, as they lay on the deck in anticipation and wait for the sail to tack, in their

excitement at putting up the sails or steering the yacht around the Harbour.

SWD is also about assisting the disadvantaged youth and showing them that anything is possible, about

teaching them how to work as a team and that they can always start replotting their path in life, it is never

too late to say “I Can”.

Our Boats

Our Programmes

KAYLE (Lyons 54)

Our flagship 54 ft, ergonomically designed ocean

racing yacht which can accommodate up to 5

wheelchairs. You’ll either find her by the squeals

of happy kids in the harbour on a Try Sail Day,

plodding along on a leisurely Sunday afternoon,

hosting Carers or Parents in need of R&R or under

full sail carving up the harbour in a Twilight Race

or battling the ocean in her annual trek from

Sydney to Hobart. Or, she could be on her annual

Sydney to Mackay and back again Northern

Campaign, visiting 6 ports over 2 months. She is

one busy lady.

Owned and maintained by David Pescud

MOKSHA (HANSE 54)

“There but for grace go any of us.”

MOKSHA is our choice for the Winds of Change

Project for disadvantaged youth and their society

hardened souls. We take them way out of their

comfort zones. They, as the crew in training, will

need to engage in team work, respect, reliance,

trust and dependence on one another, and

Moksha, to get where they want to go.

With thanks to the generosity and belief of Richard

and Jayatma.

WOTEVA (TP52)

This is our Formula 1, raced hard with the scars to

prove it. She’s light and fast, and in 2012 took our

crew of 17 men and women safely through the

Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Donated to SWD by Graeme Wood (WOTIF)

Our Programs

Our programs provide opportunities for participants to experience the exhilaration of sailing to

work with and enjoy the company of others and to build the self-esteem, skills and capability

required to achieve better life outcomes through the medium of sailing.

Each and every week, Sailors with disABILITIES runs various sailing events from Try Sail Days on

Mondays and Tuesdays, Twilight Racing on Wednesday evenings, weekend racing and subject to

crew availability, Carers Days on Sundays.

Try Sail Days

In 1997, whilst in Queensland racing in the Hogs Breath Regatta (Airlie Beach) then Hamilton Island Race

Week, Sailors with disABILITIES was asked to take out a local group of disabled children from Airlie Beach.

From that simple request our Try Sail Day project began and has now grown to be our reason for being.

It is only in becoming involved you realize the need is enormous. We could keep the boat in Sydney only or

all along the eastern sea board undertaking the Northern program for 6 months of the year, however,

financial constraints are the only barrier and do not permit this…. at this time.

By 1998 our Children’s program had commenced weekends on Sydney Harbour, beginning as simple sail

days for disabled children with their Mums and Dads.

The opportunity to give Mums and Dads a break, for kids to see a whale up close and personal or maybe

just to feed the pelicans and taking part in a sailing team, as one Mum said “I did not even know this was

here”.

The requirement for a more appropriate design boat had become obvious with both the change in direction

to more Kids Days and the need for a newer faster racer. David Pescud was prevailed upon to “build it and

they will come”…..and they did.

In need of a new name, the Try Sail Days are our biggest offering and allows us to help up to 4,000 people

every year. Throughout the summer months we offer four sessions a week (two each Monday and

Tuesday).

The Try Sails are a 2 hour experience where people with a disability, or who are disadvantaged, experience

the exhilaration of sailing. We encourage them to participate, to work together as a part of the crew, to

raise the sails, to tack and steer the boat, tie ropes and hang on to the rails. The activity builds self esteem,

skills and the capabilities required to achieve better life outcomes.

“……we had never heard a noise from her before, but as the ocean spray hit her face she squealed with joy and

excitement, we were all astonished and so grateful for her experience.”

– Professional Carer of young female in a wheelchair.

“…..Some of our kids have never been to Sydney before, one year a girl burst into tears when she saw the Opera

House, she didn’t know if it was real as she had only seen it in pictures.”

– Sandy Clark (Teacher), Vincentia High School.

Winds of Change Youth Project

Piloted in 2011, this 6-week programme is growing in momentum and is sadly limited by our ability to

source enough volunteers to crew.

The youth who participate in this programme are some of the most disadvantaged and disengaged young

people you will meet. The focus of the program is for the students to re-engage with learning, which in turn

opens pathways to further education, potential employment and better life outcomes. The program provides

opportunities for disaffected young people to realise their potential.

By the end of our 6-week programme, we hope to have given them some life skills to carry forward, a

sense of respect for the community, the environment, each other and themselves. The ability to work as a

team gives them a glimpse of what is possible in their future.

“……Lomandra School students deal with severe challenging behaviours and/or mental health issues including Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Anxiety/Depression. The impact of these individual attributes and conditions has been to significantly delay their academic learning and social skilling and to undermine their confidence as learners. Lomandra School chose the SWD program to help our students... build their resilience as learners where if they don't succeed the first time they 'pick themselves up' and start again; secondly, for the students to engage in activities that are exciting and fun and to do so as members of teams working together. The SWD program totally captured these two aims... The program put students in leadership/responsibility-taking roles and for at least one student (14 year old female

student), this was the first time staff from Lomandra, had seen her rise to the occasion and fully participate in a

physical program. This in itself was a huge achievement... it was an incredible success.”

Mark Smith (Principal), Lomandra School

Carers Days

SWD Carers Days are usually held on Sundays and are for carers to enjoy some time with company,

conversation and to share similar experiences with others “in the same boat”. Perfect R&R on Sydney

Harbour.

“……I didn’t realise how lonely I was, being able to talk to other parents like me and not be judged was amazing.

Thank you SWD for the break I needed, to keep facing every day.”

Parent Caring for young boy

Carers Day - Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services

“…..I just want to express our gratitude to David Pescud and the friendly crew of volunteers for giving HHRCS carers a fabulous day out on the harbour. You just had to look around and see that each carer was enjoying the experience. Below is what some of the carers had to say about the day:

For me what was special about last Sunday sailing trip, with David, our skipper, and his crew/volunteers of Sailing With Diabilities,

and other HHRCS carers, was learning that I am not alone.

As a carer of my mother, who is an old aged pensioner of CALD background and with accumulating health issues, I often felt I was

alone in looking after her and in making sure she receives the best health care and support services without being discriminated

against by the system. The sailing trip reveals to me a sense of friendship amongst the carers, and a genuine understanding

towards carers' needs for relaxation and positive social interactions by the people who helped make this trip possible. It is kind of

like a hidden support that I think many carers don't find when they are busy caring for their loved ones. It is very empowering to be

able to share my stories with other carers and having the opportunity to listen to their stories, while enjoying the beautiful scenery of

the Sydney Harbour.”

Northern Campaign 4 July 2013 – 31 Aug 2013

2000 Nautical miles

800 Clients and carers

50 Schools/organisations

55 Try Sail engagements

37 Volunteers

6 Ports of call

4 Coordinators

1 Media guru

1 Tireless Administrator

Through the colder winter months we travel the east coast from Sydney to Mackay offering

our programmes along the way, ALL FOR FREE. Known as The Northern Campaign, our

volunteers take turns and join us along the way seeking warmer weather and new smiles!

“….On Thursday 11th July 2013, six of our students were lucky enough to go sailing on an ocean

racing yacht in Southport QLD. They spent 2 hours on the Broadwater with the team from Sailors with

disABILITIES. Their yacht, Kayle, has previously competed in many Sydney to Hobart yacht races.

Parents did a great job to get their children to school by 7am for an early trip down to the Gold Coast

and both students and staff were excited to be participating in this unique activity (some students

didn’t even sleep the previous night!). Many of our students had a turn at the helm and were thrilled to

be out on the open water on a beautiful winter’s day.

Luckily for us there was sufficient wind to raise the sail and we were delighted to find out that no one

on board was prone to sea sickness! We would like to express our gratitude to Sailors with

disABILITIES and their sponsors for working so hard to ensure that young people with disabilities

have access to this opportunity. Their dedicated crew made every effort to make the trip a memorable

excursion for all.”

Thank you, Jim Green Education Program Officer

Mount Ommaney Special School Mount Ommaney QLD 4074

“…….We’d like to say a great big thank you to all the crew and the SWD organisation for the

opportunity to sail. The students couldn’t stop talking about it on the way back to school and

for days afterwards.”

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Maria E-Love Teacher – SEP Boonah SHS

Our Regular Weekly Race Programme

Our Race Programme is for anyone. This is where we develop the talent of anyone looking

to sail, able or disabled bodies accepted. Sailing is an activity that will see you stretched to

your limits, teaching you to deal with anything thrown your way, a playground where we

develop the disabled sailing team to say “I Can” and demonstrate to society that being

disabled can be truly able and does not lock you in a box.

SWD participates in almost all racing conducted by the CYCA sailing calendar as well as

other club races on Sydney Harbour.

Racing program includes:

Twilight Races with or without spinnakers during summer

Winter series inshore Harbour Races

Summer Short offshore ocean races as part of the SOPS series

Blue Water Pointscore including Sydney to Gold Coast Classic

Rolex Sydney to Hobart

Thanks to Andrea Francolini Photography for these great shots of SWD in action.

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Known as one of the toughest Blue Water Ocean Races in the world, the participation of

SWD in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has become somewhat of a catalyst for the

disabled community to compete with and against able bodied people.

The Rolex Sydney to Hobart is the pinnacle of blue water off shore yacht racing and that

brings SWD to the attention of all Australia, and the World.

We hope that attention brings with it new found interest by potential stakeholders to all our

other programs which benefit the disABLED and disADVANTAGED on a daily basis.

“...Sailing is now my passion. The Hobart two years ago helped launch me in to some incredible

things. I’m expecting nothing different this time around.”

Liesl Tesch, Incomplete Paraplegic, Paralympic Gold Medalist

After Leisl’s initial encounter sailing with SWD,

3 years later in 2012, Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl

Tesch win Paralympics SKUD18 gold.

Australia's Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch won SKUD18 gold on the penultimate day of racing at the Paralympic Sailing Competition with a race to spare. Proving once again “I Can”

2013 – Will see SWD again contest the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

The trials have begun; the crew in training and all the preparations are well under way. With

a mixed crew of able and disabled sailors “KAYLE” will head south to Hobart on Boxing Day,

26 December, with around 100 other yachts.

(You could virtually be on board via your participation in the Faceboat Iniative)

www.faceboat.org.au

GET ON BOARD

1998

In 1998 SWD contested the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

We knew it was going to be tough after the briefing at the CYCA, what

we didn’t know was how tough and what was eventually going to

happen. In a race fraught with disaster and tragedy SWD with her mostly

disabled crew including a 12yo boy** Travis Foley, would enter the

record books with a 9th over the line and a first on handicap, in our

division.

Of the 115 starters only 44 made it over the line in Hobart.

SWD learnt many lessons during the race and after the enquiry. The

message was “SAFETY FIRST”.

SWD immediately put in place many safety initiatives which have since

become the norm for off shore racing.

(** The minimum age for a competitor in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht

Race is now 18 years of age)

2003 and SWD, sponsored by KAZ computing group, spent the year working

towards the attainment of two world records: 1. The world record for a non stop, unassisted circumnavigation around Australia

by a monohull yacht in 37 days……..and 1 hour.

2. The world record by a disabled crew for a non stop, unassisted circumnavigation around Australia.

The seven crew were Kim Jaggar (amputee), Brett Pearce (spina bifida), Harald Merlieb (hearing impaired), Phil Thompson (amputee), Al Grundy (polio), Albert Lee (double amputee) and our dyslexic skipper David Pescud.

37 days……..and 1 hour later

2009

SWD in conjunction with SBS, filmed a 4 part documentary entitled “Disabled Bodied

Sailors”

A story of the preparation and sailing in the 2009 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race Secrets and Lives: Disabled Bodied Sailors This is an extraordinary story of disabled sailors taking on the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race. A gripping doco thriller about the improbable mission of Sydney-to-Hobart veteran David Pescud who, once again, prepares a group of disabled sailors to be his crew in the blue-water challenge they call the Everest of the Sea. Disabilities range from blindness through MS to double leg amputations and paraplegia. Top stuff !!

It’s true to say that this is about a bunch of cripples racing a boat to Hobart. However, while the people who took part in this amazing journey, are probably some of the most capable people. They have taken part in a truly wonderful adventure. But, far more than that, they have become the architects of change. The thing that they understand is that they have become the ambassadors of tomorrow it’s about an unshackled and unprejudiced world. It’s about dreaming what might be, striving and reaching our full potential. As a normal or so called normal world looks on the plight of others in circumstances different to theirs, without reaching to assist, to improve the lot of mankind, we put forward an idea of, who is really disabled?

Volunteers

The people that make this venture possible and successful are the volunteers.

They are the great unpaid, the backbone of any successful not-for-profit

organisation.

They give their time, effort and love selflessly to a project that touches the heart of

even the most cynical.

You can’t help but feel a warm glow and sometimes turn away while you hide a tear

when you see a face light up or a joyful laugh as someone takes the helm/wheel and

steers the 54’ World record holding ocean racing yacht, “Kayle”, for the first time or

joke and take orders from those clever clients who have been with us before, and tell

you what to do, or make us humble and truly fortunate when they say, “It’s only a

leg!”

Thanks to Gordon Smith and the “Old Farts” league for all their help, wisdom and

sailing skills in maintaining and running our Try Sail Days.

Thanks to Lucy Reid, Donna Pilling and Gordon Smith for all their help putting this

year’s Northern Campaign together and a special thanks to all those coordinators

past who have made this campaign better by doing it before.

It’s an old saying but without our volunteers, none of our projects would happen and

in the broader picture we couldn’t exist.

Our volunteers

Albert Lee Jenni Bonnitcha Stuart Gray

Anne Wragby John Hearne Todd Bleach

Arienne Bourne John Kane Tom Murphy

Ashlea Brown John Marty William Salmon

Attila Balogh John Smith Wouter Wynberg

Bill Hogan Josh Thatcher Barb Gray

Bill Silvester Justin Hodges Bob Gray

Bill Watkins Justin Moore Chris Gower

Bill Young Karen Hawkett Erich Seifert

Bob Bunton Keith Travers Frank Jackson

Brad Allen Keven Rainbow John de Meur

Brett Pearce Kevin Moore John McCormack

Bridget Canham Lachlan Forster John Moran

Brock Ingram Lena Aahlby Peter Kemp

Cameron Barton Li Chi Rebecca Rawson

Camille Karski Liesl Tesch Richard Thomson

Cathy Josling Lloyd Williams Steve Bradley

Clare Goodman Louise Redfern Simon Dawe

Clinton Roffey Lucy Reid Curtis Branson Mark Barker Damian Gough Mark Thomson David D'Annunzio Matt Dargaville David Grinston Matthew Bowolick David Leslie Michael Bowolick David Pescud Michael Coffee Dean McSporran Michael Thurley Deborah Sandars Michelle Ralph Eimear Cradock Mick Bleach Erin Mander Mick Clune Frederick Gautschi Mike Thurley Gary Donovan Nathalie Neveu Gary Sullivan Neville Watson George Johnstone Norman Walsh Glenn Miller Paul Clark Gordon Gibson Paul Crake Gordon Reid Peter Behr Gordon Smith Peter Fallon Grace Kennedy Phil Owens Graham Clarke Rob Sealey Guido Verbist Sylvia Sealey Guy Carlisle Robert Speedy Harald Mirlieb Robin Landis Helen Buckland Roger Smith Helen Chapman Romesh Wijeyeratne James Gribble Ron Bowrey James Igoe Ron Ellis Janis Bergquist Ron Parry Jason Natherson Sarah Szczepek Jason Thomas Scott Priestley

SPONSORSHIP: Sailors with disABILITIES has been very fortunate over the past 19 years of our existence. We have had great sponsorship, partnerships and assistance from Comtech, Aspect Computing, KAZ, NRMA Insurance, Australian Sports Foundation, 3M, Brokenwood Wines, Scomar, FGI and David Lyons Yacht designs. However 2010 found us without a major sponsor and running on empty. At this point the future looks quite bleak. Like a million other “not for profits” we were seeking assistance.

NO we are not seeking assistance; we are seeking a partner, someone that believes in what

we believe in, someone who can use our media profile, someone who wants to be part of tomorrow.

2012 - Xylem came on board to sponsor SWD

Xylem is derived from classical Greek, and refers to the supporting tissues that help

transport water and nutrients from a plant's roots to its leaves.

To the people of Xylem, their name stands for their promise to live their values while solving

their customers' most challenging water problems, and to set industry standards for fluid

technology applications and water solutions.

Xylem comprises three business units - Water Solutions, Analytics and Applied Water

Systems. These three units are interconnected, anticipating and reflecting evolving needs

and sharing their applications expertise to cover every stage of the water cycle.

Their fit with SWD is apt, with both our water interests and the interconnectedness of all

things.

We owe a great deal of debt to Xylem who came along just in time to save us from near

extinction.

Sponsors and partners

8 Palmer Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205

T (03) 9690 2171 F (03) 9696 1437 E bca@connexionpr.com.au W

www.connexionpr.com.au

Bob Carter + Associates Ltd

ABN 32 006 435 785

S:\Datadoc\RFD\Media Releases\2010\SWD Testimonial.doc

Sailors with disAbilities

Sponsor Testimonial

RFD is proud to be a supporter of SWD. RFD MD Mark Barker is an active sailor at

the CYCA, the same club where the SWD boat is berthed.

Prior to becoming involved as a sponsor, Mark personally spent time on the SWD

boat and helped out as a crewman on several occasions.

“Having experienced the wonderful work of the SWD people, in particular the

compassionate and thoughtful way that they work with the disabled sailors, I was

very comfortable for RFD to move forward and become involved as a sponsor.”

Safety is an integral aspect of SWD. RFD recognised that due to their disabilities,

both adults and children need a heightened level of awareness and the appropriate

RFD equipment to ensure their personal safety.

RFD willingly has become a supporter and has donated an extensive range of RFD

safety equipment.

The faceboat Initiative

SWD launches innovative fundraising

campaign: faceboat

Malcolm Turnbull launches Faceboat campaign for Sailors with disABILITIES

On Sunday 15 September SWD Patron Malcolm Turnbull launched Faceboat. This iniiative is an innovative fundraising campaign, and the first major fundraising campaign launched by SWD. Faceboat will allow everyone to experience the exhilaration of this year’s Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Through www.faceboat.org.au, everyone can tick their bucket list and participate in one of the world’s toughest and most exciting blue water classics. With a tax deductible donation of $25, mums, dads, kids and grandparents can have their face on Kayle - the 52ft ocean racer that SWD is again sailing to Hobart on Boxing Day.

Donors will upload a photo of themselves, their children, and maybe even their pets with these to be printed on a mosaic and plastered around the hull of Kayle, a custom-built yacht ergonomically sensitive to the needs of people with a disability.

More than 3,800 snapshots can be placed on Kayle, with SWD confident that schools, companies large and small and other organisations will also participate.

Mr Turnbull said: “This is a fantastic fund-raising initiative from Sailors with disABILITIES which last year helped more than 3,000 disabled or disadvantaged people. I have seen first-hand how SWD provides an opportunity for people to experience the wonders of sailing and in the process help change their perception of themselves, builds self confidence and teaches them not to be constrained by their situation,” Mr Turnbull said.

Kayle’s mosaic of photos will be unveiled on Tuesday, 3 December 2013 - International Day of People with Disability.

Patron Malcolm Turnbull and Grace Kennedy SWD Patron Malcolm Turnbull with Bill Watkins, Donna Pilling, Grace Kennedy, Lloyd Williams, Cathy Josling and Albert Lee

The SWD sailing team for this year’s iconic race will again be a mix of inexperienced and experienced sailors, many with varying degrees of disability.

“It's our differences that keep us together and make us understand our circumstance,” said David Pescud, the Founder of SWD.

*Thanks to Deloitte for their help in developing this action plan as part of their IMPACT Day initiative

Future Funding

The Myth... We hear prospective sponsors say, SWD don’t need help, sailing is

for the elite... ask yourself........IS

Sailing for the elite... is a child in a wheelchair elite?

Sailing for the elite... is a teenage boy living with no parents or with a drug addiction elite or

needing direction?

Sailing for the elite... is a Parent or Carer looking for a shoulder and some time to switch off

elite, or doing what needs to be done?

Sailing for the elite... is a paraplegic sailing in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart elite, or an

inspiration?

“Sailing is the great equaliser. When the chips are down in the Sydney to Hobart, everyone’s a

cripple. In the pitch dark of a moonless night, everyone’s blind. In a howling storm, everyone’s deaf.

When the boat’s deck is riding at 90 degrees to the water no one can walk, everyone scuttles around

on their bum.”

So if you know anyone who wants to donate, sponsor or volunteer or, if you can, we would love to hear from you. In the meantime there are kids to take sailing, races to race, attitudes to change, sunsets to see and a harbour full of penguins, our programs to expand and much more. We will keep going for as long as we can, because…….

“I Can”

Member List 2012 - 2013

Surname First Name

Balogh Attila

Barker Mark

Barton Cameron

Behr Peter

Bergquist Janis

Bleach Todd

Bourne Arienne

Bowler Richard

Bowolick Matthew

Bowolick Michael

Bowrey Ron

Branson Curtis

Brown Ashlea

Buckland Helen

Bunton Bob

Burling Niel

Burns Kim

Burrows Anthony 'Buzz'

Canham Bridget

Carlisle Guy

Chapman Helen

Clark Paul

Clarke Graham

Coventry Greg

Craig Lisa

Crake Paul

D'Annunzio David

Dargaville Matt

Donovan Gary

Draney Peter

Fallon Peter

French Sid

Gautschi Frederick

Gibson Gordon

Gilroy John

Goddard Ed

Goodman Clare

Gray Stuart

Gribble James

Grundy Allan

Hammond Craig Skip

Hawkett Karen

Hearne John

Hogan Bill

Igoe James

Johnstone George

Josling Cathy

Kane John

Kane Mim

Kear Angelique

Kelly Karl

Kennedy Grace

King Peter

Landis Rob

Lawrence Ruth

Lee Albert

Lee Lucia

Leslie David

Lewis Sarah

Mander Erin

Marshall Gregory

Marty John

Mirlieb Harald

Moore Kevin

Murphy Tom

Neveu Nathalie

Pearce Brett

Pescud David

Philip Lee

Purkiss Tony

Radd Gay

Rainbow Keven

Ralph Mark

Ralph Michelle

Reid Anne

Reid Gordon

Reid Lucy

Robertson Quentin

Rowe Ted

Salmon William

Sandars Deborah

Seifert Erich

Silvester Bill

Smith Gordon

Smith John

Speedy Robert

Sullivan Gary

Tesch Liesl

Thatcher Josh

Thomson Mark

Thurley Michael

travers keith

Walsh Norman

Walters Lisa

Watkins Bill

Watson Kirk

Watson Neville

Wijeyeratne Romesh

Williams Lloyd

Willis Dawn

Wolfe Jo

Wragby Anne

Wulff Richard

Wynberg Wouter Young Bill

Clients

Achieve Australia

ADHC

Aging Disability and Home care - Rydalmere

Aspect SES

Australian Foundation For Disabilities

Berserker Street State School Special Ed Program

Boys Town

Broderick Gillawarna School

Cairnsfoot Special School

Calen District STate College

Campbell House School

Carenne School

Centacare

Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Cerebral Palsy League

Chalmers Road School

Class Parent Of K-6B Support Unit Cromer PS

Coffs Harbour Public School

Coffs Harbour Support Services

Disability Services Australia

Dubbo College South Campus

Engedi Inc

Ephpheta Centre

Giant Steps

Giant Steps (Vacation Care)

Giant Steps Sydney

Gladstone Community Linking Agency

Gladstone State High School - SEP

Glenfield Park School

Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

Headway Adult Development Program

Hunters Hill Ryde Community Services

Ingleburn High School- Support Unit

Keppel Community Care

Kurrambee School

Life Without Barriers

Mackay District Special School

Mackay Stroke Recovery Group

Matraville Sports High School

Mental Health Sports Network

Motor Neurone Disease Association

New Horizons

Ozcare Mental Health Mackay

Parent Group of Carers

Passfield Park School

Picnic Point HS

Rehab on the Move

Respite & Recreation Inc.

Rockhampton North Public School

Rockhampton Special School

Rosella Park School

Royal Rehab Centre

Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney

Schizophrenia Fellowship Of NSW

South Grafton High School

Special Education Unit Mackay North SHS

Special Olympics Aust Qld Gladstone Region

Spinal Cord Injuries Australia

Sporting Wheelies And Disabled Assoc, Mackay

St Anthonys Family Care

St Columba's School

St. George School

Steer Rehab

Sutherland Shire Care & Support Service

Sydney Secondary College (Balmain Campus)

The Beach School

The John Berne School

Vincentia High School

Wairoa School

WALCA Association Inc

Windgap Organisation