Sailing Club Whiz Without Pier, To Retire

Newcastle Herald

Monday July 24, 2006

By STEWART ROACH

BELMONT 16ft Sailing Club official Peter Weyland has never set foot in a boat but has been responsible for the success of the sport over the past 27 years.

The former school teacher and radio announcer sails into retirement tomorrow to what he hopes is a more normal life with wife Lynne.

His efforts have ensured the Belmont club stayed at the forefront of sailing in Australia and he believes the annual Australian Sprint Series has been the most successful of his ventures.

"I would say the highlights of my 27 years' involvement have been to see the club develop into the size it is today and the successful promotions of the Australian and state titles and the Sprint Series," Mr Weyland said.

"That started back in the 1980s on a local basis and when NBN dropped it we ran with it and it grew."

Mr Weyland was born in Dubbo and educated at Richmond then Gosford High School before heading for Newcastle and university for a couple of years, then teachers college.

After teaching at Tumbi Umbi, Forbes and Wellington, he moved to a radio career at 2MG Mudgee then 2NM Muswellbrook and 2MW Murwillumbah, before five years at 2HD at Sandgate.

That prepared Mr Weyland for Belmont as entertainment and promotions manager in 1979 when Stan d'Argerval headed to Cooma.

Since then he has had three terms as acting chief executive of the club since moving to management in 1993 and has worked under nine bosses.

"It took up a lot of time so I didn't get around to playing golf or fishing and despite being at almost every sailing event held at the club I have never been in a boat," Mr Weyland said.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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