Interclub Volume 27 Issue 1 2021

4 INTERCLUB • VOLUME 27, ISSUE 1 - 2021 c l u b l i f e : T e A T A T U B O A T I N G C L U B Uniform Shelf NZ specialises in supplying uniforms to clubs / corporates / Teams and the marine industry. We have a large variety of products and brands to select from including Musto / Sporte leisure / Stormtech / AS Colour / Fashion Biz and many more. Uniform Shelf can also handle all your branding requirements. No matter what size your order is we are here to help. For more information contact Michelle Crooks - 021 036 0481 michelle@uniformshelf.com | www.uniformshelf.com UNIFORM SHELF NE ZEAL AND Primesure A division of Runacres Insurance NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE INDUSTRY AWARDS 2019 WINNER Small-Medium Broking Company of the Year NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE INDUSTRY AWARDS WINNER 2016 NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE INDUSTRY AWARDS WINNER 2015 DOMESTIC • COMMERCIAL • RISK & MEDICAL INSURANCE Contact Cameron Hollis: 09 818 4247 | 021 413 500 cameron@primesure.co.nz | www.primesure.co.nz Level 4 Ferry Building, 99 Quay Street, Auckland City 1143 | PO Box 105512 Proud to be associated with Te Atatu Boating Club Just messing about in boats... The Te Atatu Boating Club enjoys wonderful views over the water. Facilities for its boating members include boat and trailer parking bays, a dinghy rack, trailer parking, and boat sheds for small and large vessels. It also has a fantastic outdoor BBQ and deck area. Sue Russell T he history of Te Atatu Boating Club goes back to the days when volunteers worked together to reclaim some of the mangroves and mudflats in order to build a ramp for boats to access the water. This was over 60 years ago and today, the club offers its members an array of boating and social amenities. Club Manager, Duthie Lidgard, has been in the role nearly three years, but has been associated with club life for 20 years, including time at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. When asked what it is that appeals to him about working in a club situation Duthie says that the nature of clubs creates an environment offering facilities well beyond what most private businesses could create. “We have many resources for our boating members to enjoy, including boat and trailer parking bays, a dinghy rack, trailer parking, and boat sheds for small and large vessels.” The area also has a hard-stand area, capable of hauling boats up to 20 tonnes. Inside the club is home to a bar, lounge, restaurant as well as an outdoor BBQ and enclosed play space for children. It enjoys wonderful views over the water. Duthie says its been pleasing to see membership increase and one of the strengths of the club is its strong family feel. “We’re all about giving our members a thoroughly enjoyable experience inside the club as well as great facilities to enjoy their boating.” There is a small cohor t of associate members as well as corporate members attached to the marine sector. A full time bar and promotions manager takes care of enter tainment and the club has employed a full time yard man for these past three years. “Every second Sunday there is music on the deck which is really well patronised. “This club acts as a real focal point for its members.” Duthie says there are a lot of oppor tunities for expansion given there’s a shor tage of quality land next to the water for the marine sector generally in Auckland. “They’re being squeezed out of their leased land situations, whereas we own all this land right on the waters edge. It’s a wonderful resource and those early members who worked so hard to establish the club showed real foresight in developing this land.” Because it is a member-focussd club, boat hauling rates are kept to an absolute minimum, less than a quar ter of the cost boaties would usually be charged for these services. “We need to be one of the last bastions of reasonable rates. Our only limitation is we have a motorway bridge that blocks the river from yacht access to the club.” Asked what he most enjoys about his work at Te Atatu Boating Club Duthie says the challenges of creating really efficient cost-effective systems and managing a budget are aspects he likes. “I think that roles such as mine are impor tant as we keep an eye on the bigger picture. “Sometimes committees, given their membership comes and goes can be more focussed on the here and now, in terms of capital expenditure, whereas I look out fur ther ahead to long-term sustainability of the club resources.” When Interclub spoke with Duthie the club had recently held its inner harbour fishing competition, the proceeds from which suppor t charity. “The fish caught are auctioned and the proceeds go to the Child Cancer Foundation, our charity of choice.” The club also sends four of its youth members to experience time on the Spirit of New Zealand. Duthie says the atmosphere in the club is always warm and welcoming. “We’re very lucky to have what we have and the emphasis on it being a family club means there’s a really great vibe in the club.”