by Pat Gabriel—Sailability ACT
Sailability ACT is a community based organization, run entirely by volunteers, that provides sailing for everyone, with a strong focus on helping people with a disability to find ‘Freedom on the Water’.
Towards the end of 1997 a small group of people with Multiple Sclerosis hired the Access Dinghies from the YMCA Sailing Club as part of their ‘out and about’ program. It soon became apparent that there were other people with disabilities who were also interested in sailing and a public meeting was arranged to assess their needs. This resulted in a Sailability group being formed early in 1998. Sailability is a world wide organization that advocates sailing for everyone, regardless of ability. For a while they operated, hiring the boats at the YMCA, on Saturday mornings but as the number of sailors grew and the range of disabilities widened, the need was felt to have a fleet of our own so that we could operate at times more suited to our needs.
Late in 1998 we heard that a sailing boat hire company operating on Lake Jindabyne was selling its fleet of 12 Access Dinghies and auxiliary equipment. Sailability ACT was operating on a shoe string – but we could wish!
Sailability ACT Chairman Terry Peek, a Mason, in conjunction with Masons Peter Forster and Morrie Adamson put together a successful proposal to the Canberra Masonic Centre requesting consideration of providing funding totalling $23,000 to fund the purchase of boats, trailer and auxiliary equipment. Thus began our long and happy association with the Masonic Fraternity of Canberra - the season we changed from ‘a disability sailing group ‘to a group of people, some with a disability, who enjoyed sailing together.
Our first event of the 1999-2000 sailing season was the launch of the fleet. The handover was performed at the YMCA Sailing Club. Those present to witness the handover included the Governor General of Australia, His Excellency Sir William Deane, members of the Masonic clubs of Canberra, Sailability ACT, The ACT Sea Scouts, the ACT Water Police, the YMCA SC and other guests.
The Chairman of the Canberra Masonic Centre, Worshipful Brother Tom Long, made the symbolic handover of the fleet by presenting a Deed of Gift to Michelle Lee, who has severe cerebral palsy, who accepted this generous gift on behalf of Sailability ACT. The ‘package’ consisted of 12 2.3 Access Dinghies; large trailer; an inflatable safety/support boat and motor; a pontoon system; personal flotation devices and ancillary equipment.
In his address to the assembled guests, Sir William acknowledged the far reaching benefits donations and gifts such as the one we received made to the quality of life, and the rewards the challenge of sailing brought to people in general. He congratulated the Canberra Masonic Centre and the Canberra Lodges that had agreed to meet the costs of insurance over the next four or five years.
Now that we were free to sail when and where we liked Sailability not only provided volunteers and boats for sailing each Sunday, but we were now able to take part in community events and competition. One of our first community acts was to take the boats to Black Mountain to give some of the children attending the Mason’s Christmas Party for Kids with Cancer an opportunity to sail. An event thoroughly enjoyed by our volunteers and one we were to repeat whenever this event was held. We also took part in Active Australia events, Moon Festivals, Expo’s, the Solar boat race, special sailing days for school groups, Sharing Places and Seniors Week. Our little boats were earning their keep!
Although many sailors were more interested in ‘just having a sail’ a group of sailors were becoming very competitive and took part in the Access Dinghy National Championships (six of them held in Canberra, four of which were organized and hosted by Sailability ACT). There was also successful participation in local, interstate, and overseas regattas including a memorable trip to Japan. Many of these events were partially funded by masoniCare.
We were successful in gaining the lease of a boatshed at Lake Tuggeranong in 2003. This gave us a much needed base and storage.
Formal recognition of the valued support of the Masonic fraternity was made when at the beginning of the 2005 sailing season 70 members, sponsors and friends witnessed the unveiling of a ships bell, engraved with the Square and Compass and acknowledging our recognition of the help and generous support of the Canberra and District Fraternity of Masons and individual Lodges. The bell is known as the Freedom Bell and is rung for important announcements.
A dinner dance organized by the Canberra and Districts Masonic Association was held to raise funds for much needed new sails for the fleet in July 2006. Another connection with the Masons occurred in March 2007 when the Canberra Masonic Widows Association kindly donated a substantial amount, matched by masoniCare. This generosity was recognized by Sailability naming a boat, The Canberra Masonic Widow and placing the Association logo on the sail and the masoniCare logo on the side. The boat was launched by Kathy Boyes, Secretary of the Association, and the masoniCare cheque presented by Brother Bob Nairn. The boat is commonly called the ‘ladies boat’ and one of the ladies, in her nineties took advantage of a very fine day to go for a sail with one of our ladies!
Sailability ACT has launched almost 5,000 boats during the past ten years, for more than 6000 sailors, 3940 of those sailors had a disability. It has enabled many people to not only find freedom on the water, regardless of ability. It has given them opportunities to compete successfully both in Australia and overseas, to contribute to the club by serving on committees, taking courses such as public speaking, first aid, safety boat operations and sail training that improves their self-esteem.
Sailability ACT members appreciate the generosity, help and interest we have received over the past 10 years. We are proud to be able to sail beneath the Square and Compasses.