Unsung Hero for Sailing Honour Award

4:11 AM Sun 2 Nov 2008 GMT

'Sailing on Otago Harbour - somebody has to do the organising' .

In yacht clubs all over the world there are unsung heroes who labour without reward for years, carrying out all the tasks necessary to keep the sport alive - the 'Learn to Sail' programs, the Committee boats, the care of the equipment.

In New Zealand, along with the sailing awards for the racing stars, there are 'Honour Awards'. This category recognises long-term service and achievement in yachting, and brings these volunteers into the spotlight.

One of these award recipients for 2008 is from the Vauxhall Yacht Club in Dunedin, Otago, on the south island of that sailing-mad country.

Julie Carrick, photo by Linda Robertson - .. .

Stalwart Julie Carrick is to be awarded a Yachting New Zealand honour award for services to the sport at a ceremony in Auckland later this month. Julie Carrick is one of those unsung heroes who beaver away in the background never expecting anything in return.

For the Vauxhall Yacht Club member, she says her reward has always been in the satisfaction of getting the little tasks done - the jobs no-one else wants to do.

But after 12 years of working behind the scenes in the Dunedin, Otago, yacht club, Carrick is to be awarded the prestigious Honour Award for services to the sport at a ceremony in Auckland later this month. 'I was extremely surprised really and somewhat embarrassed by it all,' Carrick said, when Otago Daily Times asked how she felt about being pushed into the spotlight.

'I'm happy to do what I do because my kids are involved and it is nice to put something back.'

Carrick got involved in yachting when her son, Benjamin (19), took up the sport.

Her daughter, Amy (15), is also a sailer, so it has been something she has enjoyed with her family.

Over the years Carrick has helped set up and and keep the 'Learn to Sail' programme running, doing the the little things like setting up everything for instructors, getting boats out and organising rosters for the shore master.

During regattas, while everyone else is out on the water, you will find her helping with anything from the afternoon tea to making sure the certificates are organised.

Yachting New Zealand Honour Award Recipients for 2008 are:

Larry Brockliss - Panmure Yacht and Boating Club
Joe Butterfield - YNZ Judging Panel
Julie Carrick - Vauxhall Yacht Club
Ian Clouston - Takapuna Boating Club
Grant Cunningham - RS: X Association
David Glen - Glendowie Boating Club
Adrienne Greenwood - Yachting New Zealand Judging Panel
Richard McAlister - Royal Akarana Yacht Club
Ian MacLennan - NZ Paper Tiger Owners Association
Denis Mowbray - Yachting New Zealand Board
Don & Sue Mason - RNZYS & Council for Sailing for Blind and Visually Impaired
John Parrish - RS:X Association & YNZ Judging Panel
Lloyd Rance - Muritai Yacht Club
Judith Salthouse - Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Maurice Scott - Worser Bay Boating Club
Malcolm & Barbara Waller - Sailability Auckland
Ray Welson - Yachting New Zealand Judging Panel

by Adrian Seconi, Otago Times/Sail-World