Please ensure that your radio aerial tip is covered to avoid eye injuries.

Yours truly, after bragging that "my boats don’t sink" nearly lost the ‘Riva’ speed boat, when the speed controller ‘carked it’ and the boat suddenly went into reverse, at speed and thankfully, in circles. Water was washing over the stern and down into the hull causing it to steadily settle into the water. With my heart in my throat and thinking about jumping in, Mitchell Todd jumped into the rescue boat only to find the battery not there. So with the oars, he manoeuvred the boat across to the half full model and lifted it clear of the water with the propellers spinning, fit to take off the tip of a stray finger. With hull drained of water and the speed controller in bits, it was evident that a burnt-out circuit was the trouble. I cannot thank Mitch enough for his quick thinking and presence of mind, in this, my darkest and his finest hour.

Jason Hatcher had his new acquisition on the water for a test run and motoring around. Meanwhile a dirty big MTB owned by the masters of "Big", names withheld to protect the author, came hurtling across the water and the "Jason Hatcher" was literally swamped, the bow wave went right over the deck to the other side and taking on water it began to sink. Jason ran for the rescue boat. In the meantime the boat submerged only hanging by its bow buoyancy and the rest is history. A much relieved owner was grateful for the rescue boat despite much guffawing and chortling by the masters of "Big".

Word of mouth suggests that the Uni. has decided to allow us to stay at the lake for the time being. We are told that a letter will be forthcoming.

Joel Birch of Golden Beach, Stephen Lewis of Wamuran, Joshua Lewis of Wamuran

IMPORTANT DATES:

10^th February maintenance day

30^th February maintenance day

5^th/6^th April Club interclub day and night sail at the Lake

19^th/20^th April Triple S navel weekend at Boondall

10^th May Model boat show at Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore

7^th September Lifeline Fete. Club boat show at Cotton Tree Park.

13^th/14^th Sept. Ballina RSL hobby expo at Ballina.

27^th/28^th September Club Regatta and night sail at the lake.

12^th October Club AGM

19^th October Club Sale Day

8^th November Triple ‘S’ interclub regatta and hobby sale.

23^rd November Night sail

MEMBERS CONTRIBUTION by Rick Mayes (President)

I remember 41 years ago. I had only been in the Navy for 3 years and a bit. I was posted to my first operational warship H.M.A.S. Derwent, a river class frigate, which I was to spend 2 ½ years on, as part of my 20 years service in the Royal Australian Navy.

It was February 1967, and our next deployment was to Hobart (town), to act as regatta flagship on the Derwent River during their celebrations. Unfortunately it was the year of the terrible fires which swept Tasmania, and as we cleared Sydney Heads, we received an immediate message from the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board, to proceed to Hobart "with all despatch" to help fight the fires.

On went the revolutions, and soon we were racing to Hobart at 28 knots. As we crossed Bass Strait, we were all sitting in the mess, talking about being sea sick, and sure enough, one by one, different matelots were being sea sick (not me). So the Captain slowed down to 22 knots, until we were past Bass Strait, and then upped the revs again to 28 knots. It only took us 22 hours to reach Hobart, which was the quickest run a ship has made from Sydney to Hobart.

On entering the Derwent River, there was smoke all around, so bad that a small coastal ship, which was departing Hobart, did not even see us, until we were very close. The fires were so bad, that all communications were lost with the mainland, so we acted as communications relay ship between Tasmania and the Australian mainland via Canberra. The fires would pick houses and businesses at random, including the brewery which was completely destroyed. My job was radio communications, and the first day we sent out approx 150 telegrams, the second day about 120 and the third day about 80. We stayed for five days in all, with the rest of the crew helping fight the fires ashore.

The regatta was cancelled, and we returned home after a very hectic five days.

TRADING CENTRE: Trash and treasure.

Advertise your trash and treasure here. Any item you may want to dispose of can be advertised here. Club orientated, household items, personal possessions, etc. Simply lodge your advertisement with the Club Secretary/Editor and it will be published in the next issue of the newsletter and retained for three issues.

Tug. 1000mm long fibreglass hull and a full set of working drawings. $200.00

John Desborough 0754929698

Office Chair. Office chair in near new condition with arms. $50.00 Eric Preedy 0754764254

Motor Torpedo Boat. 1200 mm Long Fibreglass Hull and Deck, 3x12 volt Electric Motors and Triple Rudders, Futaba 2 Channel Radio set, 12 v, 7 aH Battery for Motor Power plus Charger, 4 x 2000 mAh NimH Batteries for Receiver Power plus Charger, 12 V Battery for Transmitter.

All circuit diagrams and relevant information is supplied. $650.00. Graham Law on 5482 8582 or Email hglaw@bigpond.net.au. This boat is located in Gympie

A sheet is a rope line which controls the tension on the downwind side of a square sail. If, on a three masted fully rigged ship, the sheets of the three lower course sails are loose, the sails will flap and flutter and are said to be "in the wind". A ship in this condition would stagger and wander aimlessly downwind.

Anyone who is "three sheets to the wind" is behaving in the same way.

Military Wisdom
Incoming fire has the right of way.