News articles from World Cruising Club: World Arc

Yorkeys Knob welcomes World ARC

01/08/08

The early arrivals in Australia gathered last night in the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club for a welcome reception with Commodore Don Cortis. Don has been commodore for 10 years and was on the committee when two previous World Cruising Club rallies passed through.

Don and committee member Gary Lovell have worked hard to prepare the welcome and enjoyed meeting the participants at last. Another club member Guy Chester has prepared a presentation on “Going over the top” as the locals call the passage between here and Darwin.

The crews enjoyed the Aussie tucker with the meat pies with brown sauce proving very popular.

The beer was of course being kept cold in "eskies", which are now being moved down to the beach for this evenings “barbie”.

Many of the yachts are taking advantage of the excellent haul out facilities in Cairns; others are catching up with essential maintenance.

All World ARC Yachts have reported good experiences with the much-dreaded Australian Customs and Quarantine teams. Everyone has proved to be extremely helpful friendly and cheerful people even at 4am and the strict entrance formalities have been completed painlessly.