This is a unique opportunity for client entertainment, business networking and relationship building, whilst also making a difference to desperate kids who are doing it tough, by raising money to build a home for homeless young people.

The event was well supported with over 1,400 people and 85 yachts participating with over $430,000 raised for homeless young people. A great result!

We raced on Eve, a Swan 65 ketch, identical to Sayula II, the winner of the first Whitbread round the world race in 1974.

We fed and watered our clients (crew) on the way to Middle Harbour Yacht Club and then commenced our practice drills before the race – all under the professional guidance of our skipper and crew.

The weather gods looked favourably on us with only 10 minutes of rain and a consistent 20-25 knot southerly breeze. This made for a quick race with conditions suiting Eve upwind, but downwind the lighter weight and more favourably handicapped yachts in the class made it impossible to save our time on handicap. Despite the slightly disappointing result the crew and guests all thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The after party on the beach is always a great opportunity to connect with others in the race that include many of our clients both property and development, and to plan how to get over the line 1st next year!

The N&B crew comprised of:

• Peter Osborn – NB
• Stephen Cooke – NB Jon Holdsworth – NB
• Ben Simmons – Marprop Real Estate Partners
• Eliot Reeves – Performance Based Consulting
• Grant Traub – Centennial Property Group Pty Ltd
• Jason Weate – Stockland
• Mark D’Arcy Bean – IOOF Holdings Ltd
• Richard Hughes – Cadogan Associates
• Sze Howell – Blackstone
• Tania Scenna – Centennial Property Group Pty Ltd

Napier & Blakeley’s John Mathew, Rob Howells and Ian Gardner and their yacht, “Redline”, a Jeanneau Sunfast 36 has competed twice in the Sydney Hobart, was skippered by the owner Mark Burton, took out the prize.

Also on the yacht were Growthpoint’s Steve Lee; Northwest Healthcare Properties’ Richard Roos, Alan Sweeney and Jarrod Gill; Australian Unity’s James O’Keefe – Australian Unity and Napier & Blakeley’s Ian Gardner.

Starting off on a handicap of 8 minutes they had a tense battle along the last leg with a faster boat trying to get above them to steal the clean air with the Skipper skilfully forcing them to change tactics and tack away in the final stages. After a couple of last minute tacks to adjust their position and direction they crossed first to the sound of the finishing gun with cheers all round.

The annual regatta challenge, sponsored by Brookfield, saw a fleet of 37 yachts race in Port Phillip Bay to raise funds for the PIF House Program.

The initiative brought together over 400 individuals from the property and construction industry, Australian Olympic sailors Haylee Outteridge, Rio gold medallist Tom Burton and PIF Event Patron John Bertrand, AO, America’s Cup Winning Skipper.

42% of homeless people in Australia are under 25 years old, meaning there are over 44,000 young Australians sleeping on the streets each night.

The $90,000 raised will support the national PIF House Program, which builds homes for at risk and homeless young people across NSW, Victoria and Queensland. In these homes, carers and counsellors provide support and mentoring to rebuild young lives. Nationally the PIF House program has delivered 32 bedrooms since 2017, 50 bedrooms are in the pipeline and the aim by 2021 is to have 125 bedrooms completed for homeless youth.

Australian Property Journal
11 March 2019

The event was very well supported with well over 20 yachts racing from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Manly, QLD.

The N&B crew comprised of:

• Paul Mazoletti
• Paul Cosker
• Gavin Peach
• Paul Brown – Garda Investments
• Justin Reidy – Alceon
• Hunter Higgins – Colliers
• Jason Lynch – Colliers

In what were very testing sailing conditions, with high winds and choppy seas, thanks to a good skipper, lovely yacht and an amazing crew they came in 2nd place overall !  Considering they started at the back of the pack due to some questionable handicapping, it was a great effort by all.

The after party on the beach was a great opportunity to connect with other corporate racers and plan how to get over the line 1st next year !.

Well done !