On Sunday, the Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club rolled out the welcome mat for the 23/24 Opening of the season. The day kicked off in style with an opening ceremony, presided over by the Commodore, with esteemed guests including past commodores and special invitees attending the occasion. A beautiful rendition of the Australian national anthem, delivered by the talented Jamie Topham, set the tone for an amazing day that lay ahead, Once of the big highlights was when Warren Blay from the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club stepped forward along with Club Manager Kym Shephard to ignite the cannon, symbolizing the commencement of the season.
Following the ceremony, everyone gathered for a delightful breakfast and morning tea, all while enjoying the picturesque sail past and the commencement of the prestigious Commodores Cup.
As the clock struck noon, the doors swung open to the public, inviting families to take part in a day of fun at the club. An exciting mini-expo awaited, courtesy of our various sections: Dive, Angling, Power Boat, Sailing, and Social. Members and visitors had the chance to explore these sections in-depth, gaining valuable information on what Ocean Reef Sea and Sports club could offer them. There was also plenty of entertainment for the kids with Bubble Soccer that proved to be an absolute hit and face painting!
The Dive section offered a captivating display comparing old and new dive equipment, showcasing the remarkable evolution of the sport. Meanwhile, our Angling experts offered continuous demonstrations throughout the afternoon, covering everything from selecting the right bait to perfecting the art of rigging.
The Power Boat section, in collaboration with Oceanique Marine, presented a stunning array of boats. The Sailing section displayed memorabilia and engaged in informative conversations with those interested by the world of sailing. Not to be overlooked, our Social section ensured that even our youngest members had their share of fun, with a colouring competition and a playdoh station.
The day was made even better with a team of volunteers cooking up a storm on the BBQ's with a sausage sizzle and the by the tunes of the Acoustic Dragons, a club favourite, who had the whole crowd singing along and even managed to recruit some new band members (though, it seems, bedtime might be a challenge for them). All in all, it was a day of joy, and witnessing so many smiling faces amongst the club's offerings was heartwarming.
A colossal shoutout goes to our dedicated volunteers, tireless committee members, diligent staff, and generous sponsors. Without your support, this day wouldn't have been the success it was. Finally, a heartfelt thanks to all who joined us in celebrating this special day. We take pride in being a haven for a family-friendly club, whose core values will forever stand the test of time. Here's to the next 50 years of sea sports, friendship and pure enjoyment at the Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club!
