Royal Victoria Yacht Club recognizes longtime Swiftsure Volunteers

Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin formally recognized a couple of longtime volunteers last week at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

Shirley Hind was awarded the Jim McFee/Humphrey Golvey Trophy for her work as a longtime dedicated Swiftsure volunteer.

“Clearly she’s managed the role with great distinction,” Austin said. “Clearly she commands the respect of her colleagues and her friends.”

Frank Piddington earned his 60-year pin. Piddington was actively involved with Swiftsure from 1955 to 1980 and from 1966 to1980 he served as chairman of Swiftsure. He was RVYC commodore for 1964-65 and made an honorary life member in 1980. Piddington returned s RVYC commodore in 1984-85. In 1992 for the club’s centennial celebrations he chaired that celebration committee and served as honorary commodore from 1996-1998.

While Austin said she hasn’t sailed in recent years, she enjoyed enjoyed seeing the ships and other Swiftsure activity during her weekend Dallas Road run.

“It certainly brought back some very fond memories of my first year on the coast here in British Columbia about 30 years ago when I did used to sail wit ha group of friends,” Austin told the gathered crowd at RVYC.

She met a handful of volunteers and learned a little about the club during her visit May 31.

“It’s particularly impressive to see the network of volunteers that support the Swiftsure International,” Austin said. “When you consider the technical aspects of putting the race together, the technology that’s required to support it, the volunteer coordination and the expectation for real excellence in deliver and accuracy. Knowing that’s all run by just 182 volunteers is really remarkable and you all deserve great credit for participating in that and being able to pull off such a stellar event year after year after year.”