SAFA Skysailor Magazine

6 SKY SAILOR September | October 2019 T wo years ago, at the 2017 AGM, over 70 pilots and supporters turned up to hear and congratulate our Worlds pilots at the fully catered event… What a great night. This year, we anticipate an even bigger attend- ance – come along if you can to celebrate our elite teams, catch up with flying friends and support your NSW State Association and Clubs who have been doing much for the sport these last few years. All pilots who are keen to give back to our amazing pastime are welcome to nominate at the AGM for the management team – new blood is welcome to replace those who are standing down on the nine-person strong NSWHPA Committee which has gone from strength to strength. What does the NSWHPA do? Officially, “the NSWHPA administers the funding from the State membership levies and pursues such commercial arrangements and government grants, including sponsorship and marketing opportunities, as are appropriate to further the interests of members.” These funds are used to assist club projects to: 1. Develop and maintain flying sites. This system helps keep club membership fees down and maximises the number of ‘free flight’ sites available to SAFA/NSWHPA members. 2. Train and develop piloting skills. 3. Provide access to flying sites on both private and public land. 4. Assist in the development of competitions. 5. Promote the growth of the sport through i. Retention of existing members by providing: ➲ ➲ the opportunity for members to become better pilots, and ➲ ➲ a supportive and enjoyable flying com- munity. ii. The encouragement of new members by: ➲ ➲ promoting the sport within the NSW and local community. 6. Administer the Association for the benefit of members, by ensuring management support for the Clubs, sound financial management and good governance. Here is just some of the good stuff that has happened so far: ➲ ➲ Rolling out 12 weather stations, ➲ ➲ Formally securing six launch and landing site agreements, ➲ ➲ Subsidising XC, tow and developmental clinics, SIVs, chute repacks, first aid courses, VHF endorsements, ➲ ➲ Coaching new Club Executives, ➲ ➲ Winning significant grant monies from the Office of Sport, ➲ ➲ Increasing female pilot participation, ➲ ➲ Supporting competition organisers and pilots, ➲ ➲ Opening new sites, ➲ ➲ Supporting Clubs engagement with Councils and government bodies, ➲ ➲ Rolling our Defibrillators to Clubs. These are just some examples of what has been achieved, along with cementing close working rela- tions with SAFA and the other State Associations. Hope to see you on the AGM night, upstairs at the North Ryde RSL, 27 Magdala Rd North Ryde – for catering, please send an email to the Secretary Michael Stott at <stotty.deb@bigpond.com> if you are coming. Bring a mate along who wants to fly or who hasn’t for a while – let’s grow the sport. Australian Worlds Team pilots present at the NSWHPA AGM season kick-off This year’s NSW Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 26 September starting at 6:30pm, will see representatives from the Australian Hang Gliding and Paragliding teams share on their experiences representing our country at the recent World Championships. by John Harriott Notice of Meeting: NSWHPA Annual General Meeting Thursday, 26 September 2019 starting at 6:30pm Upstairs at the North Ryde RSL, 27 Magdala Road North Ryde Members of the current NSWHPA opening a renovated site at Crackneck Lookout, Bateau Bay