AWARDS

Sailors at DBSC compete for a range of coveted awards every year, with the glory of a trophy and their names in gold inscription on the walls that decorate our clubhouse. The trophies are all named after notable members in the club’s history as set out below.

Ron Young Trophy

Ron Young was a local resident who lived on Ocean Avenue, Double Bay. He joined DBSC in 1980, and was instrumental in introducing the Laser class to the club in the early 1980s, which over time replaced Leaders and Herons to became the club’s only dinghy class. He even sourced the club’s first two Laser dollies from Canada. He was a significant contributor to the club’s culture, and was an active member until he died in 1995. In memoriam, the Ron Young Trophy is awarded each year to the Club Champion in the Laser Standard class.

Sally Gordon Trophy

Sally Gordon was a highly accomplished yacht skipper and crew member, with multiple achievements, including an overall win in the 2000 Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race. She joined DBSC around 2005 as one of its first female members, and became proficient in the Laser Radial class. Sally tragically died at age 47 during the 2009 Flinders Islet race, after the yacht on which she was a crew member struck rocks during the night. In memoriam, the Sally Gordon Trophy is awarded each year to the Club Champion in the Laser Radial class.

Don Roach Trophies

Don Roach was an accomplished AFL sportsman and administrator. After moving to Sydney, he joined DBSC and was gifted his first Laser, Jazzman, by his wife, Shirley, on his 50th birthday in 1990. Don served in various leadership roles, including as President from 2006 to 2011. His welcoming nature, strategic focus and administrative skills were instrumental in the revival of the club from a low point in the 1990s to the vibrant Laser class club it is today. Don continued sailing Lasers until 2011, when he died while at the helm of his yacht. In memoriam, the Don Roach Trophies are awarded each year to the Masters (45+) Club Champion in each of the Laser Standard and Laser Radial classes.

Richard Tyrrell Trophy

Richard Tyrrell was one of the early Laser class sailors at DBSC in the 1980s. He was an active member, who had a real presence and was very much liked by everyone. He was instrumental in building a sense of community, for example as one of the instigators of the annual Laser Sailors’ Dinner, and he showed leadership in fundraising activities for much-needed repairs. He continued sailing with the club until his untimely death from asthma in his 40s in 1987. In memoriam, DBSC hosts an annual race in a handicapped chase format that is named after him, and the winner’s name is inscribed each year on the perpetual Richard Tyrrell Trophy.

Mano Rousso Trophy

Mano Rousso was a distinguished former Greek Navy Officer and post-WW2 migrant who lived in Cooper Street, Double Bay. His daughter was a regular Leader sailor at DBSC during the 1980s, and Mano was a generous and well-liked volunteer, taking on the significant hands-on responsibility for upkeep and maintenance of the clubhouse, which he continued until his death in the early 1990s. In memoriam, DBSC hosts an annual race in a massed start scratch format (with a yardstick) that is named after him, and the winner’s name is inscribed each year on the perpetual Mano Rousso Trophy.

Lyn Ley Trophy

Lyn “Pippy” Ley was one of DBSC’s earliest sailors. Her mother, Patricia Ley, was instrumental in the establishment of the club in 1956 before passing away soon after, and the club’s original Club Championship trophy was named after her father, Dr Charles Ley, who had passed away shortly prior. Fittingly, Lyn and her brother, Jim, who sailed together, were successful in winning that trophy in the club’s inaugural Club Championship. Lyn was passionate about girls and women in sport and about gender equality in society. In memoriam, the Lyn Ley Trophy is awarded each year to the highest ranked DBSC sailor in The Women’s Regatta hosted by DBSC.

Dene Bergman Trophy

Dene Bergman was an active Leader sailor at DBSC in the early 1980s, before migrating to the Laser class when it was introduced at the club. He was a very active club volunteer throughout, drawing upon his skills as an avionics engineer to take responsibility for much of the club’s organisational and maintenance requirements, which he continued until he retired from official duties in 2019. In recognition of his long and significant contribution, he was made a life member of the club in 2004. In his honour, the name of the best Laser Standard class sailor in each year’s Vaucluse Challenge races is inscribed on the perpetual Dene Bergman Trophy.

Graham Read Trophy

Graham Read joined Vaucluse Yacht Club at age 12 in 1944. He won his first VYC Club Championship in 1951 and his name appears 62 times on VYC honour boards. He became a champion Laser sailor, winning the World Masters Championship in Melbourne in 1999, which resulted in an attendance with the Queen on her visit to Australia in 2000. He was made a life member of VYC in 2002. In his honour, the name of the best Laser Radial class sailor in each year’s Vaucluse Challenge races is inscribed on the perpetual Graham Read Trophy, which is kept at VYC.

John Barraclough Award

John Barraclough was NSW Member for Bligh (and thus DBSC’s local member) from 1968 to 1981 and later became Chairman of the Maritime Services Board. John was a local Double Bay resident and served as DBSC’s Club Patron from the 1970s until he died in 2005, during which time he donated the John Barraclough Trophy to the club and attended the club’s AGM on numerous occasions to present it. In memoriam, the John Barraclough Award continues to be presented each year to the person whose volunteer contribution leads to their recognition by the Management Committee as that year’s Best Club Person.