Key People
Navy Patron of RANSA
RANSA is honoured to have the Chief of Navy as a non executive patron for ceremonial occasions, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM RAN
At the Annual General Meeting the following members were elected as Flag Officers and Directors of RANSA Sydney Squadron for the 2024/25 year.
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COMMODORE |
VICE COMMODORE |
REAR COMMODORE |
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Les joined the Navy just after his 16th birthday, became an electrical engineer, and enjoyed a 24 year career in uniform. Reluctantly being brought into Defence industry a couple of years after leaving the Navy, another career ensued in small business, supporting all three services. He owned the 1949 8 Metre Erica J for 16 years and X-50 Wax Lyrical for 10 years so he has raced timber classics and Sydney Hobart Division winners. Les has been a RANSA member since 1982. |
Dave joined the RAN as a 16-year-old in 1973. He devoted 22 years to the RAN starting out as an apprentice Marine Technician and finishing at the esteemed position of Warrant Officer. On discharge he joined the RAN standby reserve until compulsory retirement. He learned to sail at RANSA in 1982 and is the proud owner of SYLVARA, since 1994. In the last 28 years he has been a small business owner in the marine industry and as a defence consultant with a passion for customer service. He is an Ex Commodore of RANSA and came back onto the board in 2023 to progress Veterans Sailing @ RANSA and contribute to the efficient operation of the club. |
Matt Bryant has been a member of RANSA since 1993. Matt is a keen racer, having sailed with the Seaway 25 Megisti for many years and more recently with Valentis a Dufour 310. Starting in competitive Etchells the sailing bug struck! Matt has competed in Ocean Racing including the Sydney to Hobart with connections to the Indigenous group “Tribal Warrior”. Matt has 4 adult sons and now has more time to complete some cruising and away events such as Hamilton Island and Port Stephens with Valentis. Matt has a background in Business and Marketing and is a qualified Electrician and Computer Engineer enjoying all the technical, competitive and social aspects of sailing
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HONORARY TREASURER |
HONORARY SECRETARY |
SAILING MEMBER |
| Peter is an avid sailor and windsurfer, with a particular love for racing, cultivated through experiences with Etchells and ocean racing. Peter is a co-founder of Exto Partners, an Australian venture capital fund focusing on technology companies. He plays an active role on the boards of numerous firms within Exto Partners' portfolio, some of which are listed on the ASX. Holding a Bachelor of Business (B.Bus.) degree from the University of Technology Sydney, Peter is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Peter and his co-owners race their yacht regularly in the RANSA competitions. | Jeremy first sailed with his ex RN father, out of RANSA in the 70’s and has been a member for >20 yrs. He is qualified as an Industrial Designer and a Naval Architect and assists with design of RANSA “projects”. An avid sailor, he has competed and cruised in the Med, Channel, Atlantic and raced locally for many seasons. “Jezza” has sailed in RANSA twilights for over 30 years on several yachts as well as many offshore seasons including competing in 8 Hobart races. He is also a keen surf ski paddler to maintain fitness and to spend yet more time on and out of Sydney Harbour | |
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NAVAL MEMBER |
NAVAL MEMBER |
SAILING MEMBER |
| David (Tiffy) Prentice came to Australia in 2011 as a lateral transfer into the Australian Navy following a 32-year career in the Royal Navy. This included Command of a Destroyer and four years assigned to the US Navy in the Pentagon. He recently separated from the Australian Defence Force following a 43-year career and is now a Defence Consultant. He has sailed since the age of 5 and has completed Trans Atlantic Races, Caribbean Series Racing and S2. |
Nathan is originally from Tasmania, where he grew on the water, spending most of his spare time sailing. He joined the Royal Australian Navy at 17, and is still a serving officer within Fleet Command. He is passionate about growing grass roots sailing in the Navy and the benefits sailing brings to the organisation and people. He is currently managing the Navy yacht “Navy One” in Sydney and the associated inshore and offshore sailing program for the Royal Australian Navy. He also sails his own yacht regularly with RANSA. |
Kate grew up in Sydney and is a communications and media professional, currently Manager of Communications at the Australian National Maritime Museum. She owns a creative services business, from which she has worked as a freelance editor, writer and musician and is leader of Kate Woolfe’s Big Bad Swing Band. A RANSA member since 2018, she co-owns a fixed keel 22 ft Compass Careel and loves sailing it with her family and friends. |
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NAVAL MEMBER |
NAVAL MEMBER |
SERVICE MEMBER |
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The Office Crew |
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OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR |
SAILING ADMINISTRATOR Since 'retiring' to Australia some 30 years ago Roger has worked for 7 years at each of Pacific Sailing School - in sales and marketing - and at CYCA, MHYC and RANSA in sailing management. |
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