Gareth Davies
Commodore
As a Management Consultant to C Level executives for over 30 years, Gareth Davies holds a Bachelor of Science, Graduate Diploma in Computer Science and a Masters of Business Administration. An accomplished Executive and Non-Executive Director, Portfolio & Program Manager and Technology Executive, Gareth has worked in healthcare, professional services, digital, mining, banking and finance, education and not for profit sectors both nationally and internationally.
Over his 50 years as a Safety Beach resident and nearly 50 years as a sailor, Gareth has held positions as Inaugural & Acting Secretary, Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore (Sail) of MCYS, Secretary & Rear Commodore of Safety Beach Sailing Club and was a member of the Sail Peninsula steering committee for 2 regattas.
Michelle Brien
Vice Commodore
Michelle has always loved spending time on or near the water and traces her love of boats back to spending time as a child at Mallacoota on the wooden boats her grandfather built.
She purchased her first boat in her early 20’s – a Sonata 7 trailerable yacht. This was followed at different times by Sonata 26s’ and even a MacGregor. Throughout this time, she enjoyed class and club racing as well as cruising Port Phillip and Western Port Bays, the Gippsland Lakes and Whitsundays.
These days more of a cruiser, Michelle and her husband Glenn have most recently owned a Beneteau 361. Currently “between boats” they live in Dromana and own a berth at Hidden Harbour – just waiting for their next boat.
Michelle enjoys all aspects of living on the Mornington Peninsula, and when she’s not working, you’re likely to find her walking along the beautiful foreshore of the bay or in the hinterland of the Peninsula – or in a local café. She currently spends way too much time watching YouTube sailing channels and planning the next adventure!
She is a co-founder of Salple, working with leaders to co-create and activate deeply authentic and powerful “Culture Codes”. Activating intrinsic motivators and the power of habits, to attract, align, engage and energise employees – empowering them to deliver the ideal customer experience, for every customer, every day.
John Hall
Rear Commodore – Sail
Having begun sailing at the tender age of 7, John Hall is the proud owner of a Zeston 40’ Pilothouse Yacht, SY Wingara and a berth in Hidden Harbour. As Founding Committee Chair and Commodore, John brings a wealth of relevant knowledge, having been on the board of MYC and Chair of the Safe Harbour Committee from 2003-2006, past President of the S80 Yacht Association (and former owner of one), past representative of Southport Yacht Club on the board of Yachting Queensland, and a former member of Mornington Yacht Club, Albury Wodonga Yacht Club, and Southport Yacht Club (QLD), and former President of the Southern Cross 23 Association.
Presently John sails actively with MYC, MCYS, and the ORCV. John and crew including Pam (Hobart to Launceston) completed the VDLC Circumnavigation of Tasmania in 2019, and Wingara is ready to do it again in 2022. John is also a member of RYCT, QCYC, ORCV, and MYC (Affiliate).
When not out enjoying time on the water, John is a keen Fly Fisherman, Clay Target shooter, and manages to fit in practising as a Barrister at the Victorian Bar.
Pam Hall
Treasurer
Pam has a background in finance and education. She recently retired after 9 years as finance manager of a mid-tier law firm. She is involved in a number of community organisations including acting as treasurer.
Pam married into a sailing family and has been around boats ever since. She has enjoyed both racing (when it’s not blowing too hard!) and cruising. Some of the places where she has cruised include Refuge Cove, Deal and Erith Islands, Gippsland Lakes, The Whitsundays and part of the Van Diemen’s Land Circumnavigation. In 2006 she lived for 6 months on their 44’ Dufour with John and their younger son Tim. Together with her husband John they own a Zeston 40 and a berth in Hidden Harbour.
Geoff Steele
Rear Commodore – Power
Lizzy Shanley
Secretary
Secretary
Clare Murphy
General Committee
Bill Wilson
General Committee
Bill joined MCYS in September 2019, after having recently retired and moved to Mount Martha. Originally from Canada, he lived in Sydney for 40 years co-founding and running a business developing computer software for embroidery design. A niche market, but one which is worldwide.
Bill joined the General Committee in 2021 when he offered to help with the Merchandise operations at MCYS. His experience in this area has been very beneficial to the club, having set up a professional online merchandise shop and providing a great merchandise service to members. Custom embroidered boat names spelled out in nautical flags has been especially popular with members on club polos, rugby shirts, jackets and vests.
Bill and wife Marilyn caught the sailing bug while cruising the Bahamas & east coast of North America for 3 months after graduating university in Canada. They have been avid sailors on Pittwater and Sydney Harbour for many years after re-locating to Australia, owning several yachts and raising four daughters who loved sailing and cruising on yachts and catamarans in Pittwater and occasionally in the Whitsundays.
After moving to the Mornington Peninsula where 3 of 4 daughters and their families also live, they decided to try power boating on Port Phillip. They are now on their second power boat – a Chaparral sport cruiser named Sea Child which is kept in the Martha Cove Boatyard Dry Stack Storage. Looking forward to more cruising, raft ups, and other activities with members and friends.
James Martin
General Committee
Equipped with an engineering background James operated a proprietary technology company in Melbourne for 9 years. His business management consulting experience helped him develop and deliver business management and operational systems for variety of industries.
Nowadays James is a fully licensed real estate agent with 14 years of experience and customer service excellence. An owner and a principal of a boutique real estate agency, formerly based in Malvern now at the Peninsula, James brings on board superior skillset, the industry’s highest standards and the most effective property marketing methods.
An accomplished negotiator James has negotiated positive outcomes at a retail as well as a boardroom level with Australian major corporations, building and nurturing relationships and partnerships.
James is passionate about sailing and boasts international sailing experience.
After relocating from leafy Melbourne James is now a proud resident of our beautiful Peninsula.
Ian Stewart
General Committee
Rex Over
General Committee
Rex began sailing in his Teen years having attended Mordialloc High School dashing off to Chelsea Yacht Club whenever possible where he started in “VJ Class” ( on occasions with John and Lex Bertram who were School Mates ). While there he stepped up to a “Gwen 12” and then “Lightweight Sharpie”.
Rex further educated to attain a “Mechanical Engineering Degree” while working with the Dunlop Group of Companies. In his Late 20’s appointed as Managing Director of their Largest Conveyor Belt and Hose Distribution Subsidiary. Early 30’s he started his own similar Business ( Rydell ) with 1 Partner growing that Company to have Design, Sales, Service and Installation Operations in all Capital Cities of Australia ( including Export ) employing in excess of 200 Staff. Rex is now Retired having sold Rydell in 2016.
Rex has always owned Powered Trailer Boats but over the years sailed at Royal Geelong Sailing Club in “Dragon Class” Yachts and at Royal Hobart Yacht Club on an “H28” and “Derwent Class” Keel boats and a couple of 40 footers.
Rex has lived most of his Adult life on the Mornington Peninsula and moved to Martha Cove Marina in 2012 (on Clipper Qy) then owning the 35ft Riviera Fly Bridge “Tarablue” which is still in the Marina, until Downsizing with his “New” Wife Nanette (Mitchell) to their Apartment at The Moorings and a smaller 27ft Parker Voyager Power Boat “Sheba”.
Over those past 8 Years, Rex has been One of the 2 Locals who established the growing NYE Fireworks Display for the Community until 2019 and remain interested in ongoing support of the Event if it was possible as explained to the MCYS Committee ( certainly Roy Aldrich ).
In Sport, Rex was fortunate to be involved with the Moorabbin Districts Hockey Club as Club Captain, President and now Life Member.
Rex was selected to represent Australia in Test Match Hockey and then followed on to play Golf at Long Island (now The National Golf Club) and became a Director and Vice Captain.
Rex’s other strong passion is Cars ( Fast ).
Rex looks forward to helping and contributing to the MCYS where he can.