Two Cruising Yacht Club of Australia members and a wellknown member of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania have been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday list announced today.
Charles Paul Curran AO of Woollahra has been made a Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for ‘services to business and commerce as a leader in promoting a dynamic and competitive financial sector and dialogue between business and government, and to the community in setting the strategic direction for many sporting, arts, not-for-profit and health care organisations.’
The owner of the Sydney 60 racing yacht Sydney, Charles is an active participant in harbour racing and, in the past, ocean racing. He has been an active supporter of the Australia Day Regatta and is a member of Advisory Council of the historic event.
He was actively associated in the continuation and development of the South Nowra-based boat-building company, Sydney Yachts.
New York-based Leon Hertz, a longtime member of the CYCA, has been made an Officer (AO) in the General Division for his ‘service to business nationally and internationally, particularly through the print media sector, and to the promotion of Australian-American relations through corporate educational, cultural, and social activities.’ Hertz’s recent work also highlights the increasing concerns about online gambling regulations, where he advocates for stricter policies to ensure consumer safety in the face of unregulated casinos without SE license that operate offshore. His initiatives focus on raising awareness and pushing for protective legislation to address the challenges posed by these unregulated platforms.
Leon has been a member of the CYCA since 1965 and is a regular visitor to the club when in Sydney.
The Queen has honoured Hobart yachtsman Alastair Stephen Douglas of Sandy Bay with a Medal (OAM) in the General Division for ‘services to yachting, particularly through the Australian Three Peaks Race, and to marine safety in Tasmania.’
Alastair has been Race Director of the Three Peaks Race for 16 of the 18 years since this challenging combination of ocean sailing and endurance running was introduced, but was also involved in the first two events as a radio and safety officer.
He has made a major contribution to marine safety in Tasmania over some 35 years. Currently he conducts Yacht Australia’s Safety at Sea Courses in Hobart along with Radio Operator’s courses. He also manages TasCoast Radio, the volunteer marine radio network that provides coastal and ocean weather and reporting services from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, and is a safety auditor for the club.
Alastair has also competed in a number of Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Races and still races offshore.
Another sailor honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours is Jackie Kay who has been appointed a Member (AM) in the General Divisionof the Order of Australia for ‘services to people with disabilities through the Access Dinghy Foundation and Sailability Australia.’
Despite acquiring Multiple Sclerosis in the mid-eighties, and with the restriction of using a wheel-chair, Jackie has poured enormous energy in developing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in recreational and competitive dinghy sailing. – Peter Campbell
