New Hand on the wheel at St Kilda - New Commodore at Royal Melbourne

11:47 PM Tue 11 Aug 2009 GMT

'New RMYS Commodore receives his flag from outgoing Commodore Ken Simpson - Flag Officer Ceremony' Peter Chapman

Stuart Tait is the new Commodore of Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron. In its 133rd year, Stuart is joined by Flag Officers Linda Goldsmith, Vice Commodore, Ian Lodewyckx, Rear Commodore and Philip Battey, Club Captain.

'I started sailing around St Kilda on a Sailfish I built myself back in 1973' said Stuart.' While the club has been sailing at St Kilda since 1876, I've been a member for seven years. The Squadron is a very warm and welcoming club, which makes it easy to meet new people and get involved.'

'What I'm really passionate about is getting more people involved in sailing.' Stuart's fondest sailing memories include the 1982 Brisbane to Gladstone race on a 45 ft catamaran - surfing at speeds up to 25 knots off Fraser Island at night with no power, and knowing the reefs of Lady Elliot Island lay somewhere ahead. He now races his Farr 38 'Portofino' in Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay with the occasional offshore trip to islands to the south.

While Stuart is working with Squadron members to increase participation in sailing and strengthen links with the local St Kilda Community, there is also the development of the St Kilda Safe Harbour and floating marina. 'The Squadron is going through changes and over the next five years we will see a dramatic improvement in facilities and many more opportunities for people to be involved in sailing and boating at St Kilda. It's an exciting time ahead' said Stuart.

by Louise Griffiths