Colin Bishop – a clubman, Honorary Life Member and friend to all at QLYC – Vale our good friend!

 2nd January 2025

Colin Bishop epitomises the characteristics of a generation of sailors at QLYC over the years in style, background and perseverance.  A quiet achiever by any standard!

One could easily describe Colin as the Cliff Young of QLYC who’s preferred footwear for sailing has always been gumboots.

Colin arrived in Queenscliff in 1957 as a child, with his father who was headmaster of the Queenscliff High School. 

Colin had his first ever sail at our Swan Bay Boat Club in the club junior dinghy becoming the last water-logged survivor of the club's fleet of Pup Class dinghies.

The marvellous sailing sensations for Colin had arrived with the power of the wind; and reaching up and down the first channel in front of the club house; running past the Black and White Stick on the way up to McDonald's Jetty.

His father bought a 16 foot VS and for the remainder of the 1957-1958 season they capsized in every race (open cockpit, twin manual bilge pumps, but centre case under water when cockpit full), but after that, only once again near Swan Spit, in what was then the Around Swan Island Race with the result that he left “Christina” on the beach, half full of sand for his father to rescue.

Colin, with his family and friends had a wonderful two years in “Christina” sailing club races; cruising and establishing the Republic of Rabbit Island.

Additionally, in one incident, an enormous shark scratched itself on the centre-plate off Swan Island Bight and of course there were frequently sailed summer evenings to McDonald's Jetty where Mrs. McDonald sold the most delicious pies from the camping ground kiosk.

Sixteen years later, Colin returned to Queenscliff with his wife Barbara, three children, and a Hartley sailing dinghy that he had built in his parents' garage in Moe.

He joined the now Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club when Cec Anderson and Jack Golightly were active members along with many other well-known club entities who have subsequently sailed their last race.

Colin’s world exploration of Swan Bay was resumed with their children and the elder Reynolds boys as occasional crew.  (Many will remember Bill (and Lynda) Reynolds and family who now live in Hobart)

In 1976 Colin’s wife, Barbara and his father bought “Tintagel”, a Walker design (six and half metres in length and drawing one metre). The hull was professionally built in Moolap, the deck, accommodation, et cetera were amateur built. But until 2006 she was engineless.

At first, she had a mooring at McDonald's Jetty and was sailed around to the front beach for races and towed a dinghy so they could get ashore for briefing. Late in the day, having raced, they would pick up the anchored dinghy and sail back. This arrangement meant that the whole day could be devoted to sailing, even though they didn't always get to the start.

Chris Dyer (Dragon sailor and then Commodore) suggested Colin accept Melbourne Port's offer of free parking for the vessel in the new extension of the former harbour.

Colin now shaking with terror, went into the harbour without motor finding it was surprisingly easy in the usual late afternoon breeze - jib down, head to wind, grab a pile, drop the main, warp into the right place. Getting out against wind and tide was very character-building.

In the following year, free moorings were found for the local keel boats just past the Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club. 

Tintagel was looking shabby by the late eighties finally sitting in Westcoast Marine’s yard until 1997 until Colin retired from work and rebuilding “Tintagel” with some orthodontic work in the former boat-owners' maintenance area (now water) next to Melbourne Port's buoy yard. 

“Tintagel” became a tried-and-true vessel with Colin as Skipper, winning many races and placing in many more.

Colin could be described as a sailor who took almost every opportunity to be out racing for the club.

In 2006 Colin was temporarily banned from competition when after 20 years without a motor the club set rules around the risk of competitors and rescue availability of the club rescue boat.

Colin took it in his stead and finally attached a motor although more often than not would still sail up the cut or vice versa from mooring in Swan Bay to race with the club.

In a recent article on our website Colin expressed his gratitude to everyone who has crewed with him during more than thirty-five years, especially in the occasional moments of extreme excitement amongst the many.

“Colin says of his wife (Barbara) holding the tiller and screaming, “Get the spinnaker down. Get the spinnaker down.”  The boat hurtling towards the town pier as Tim Green and he struggled on the fore deck to contain the monster writhing at the full extent of sheet and guy.  And this was thanks to Mike Sager, in particular, who him started him sailing again.

Colin could be one of the only members who could say that they owned a fleet of yachts when he gained an addition with the yacht “Indulgence”, an Endeavour 24 and between both yachts maintained a solid presence in the fleet over the last 15 or 20 years.

At all times, Colin has been a great, honest and hearty campaigner in racing around the lower reaches of Port Phillip Bay with many crew and visitors who seek a crew position in one of our races.

His support of the club and making himself available to assist in every way possible around the clubhouse, off the beach days, dinghy maintenance, committee duties, support to the sailing captain and assisting in handicapping is remarkable and ever present.

Some years ago Colin took on the role of webmaster for the club maintaining a splendid website which is the envy of many other small clubs.

And this was in addition to his Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer position which he has admirably carried out as can be seen every weekend and sailing day marching amongst the briefing crews seeking sailing fees to bolster the coffers before racing, then returning home and making the books balance.  Sometimes you would consider that all moneys through the club were his own that he guards the books so closely.

Colin’s accolades include:

Lady Nelson 2008/09, 2013/14, 2020/21

Irwin Trophy 2013/14 and 2021/22

Easter Regatta 2014/15 and 2015/16

Music Festival Trophy 2020/21

Commodores Cup 2021/22

Champagne Stern Chaser 2015/16

Around Mud Island Trophy 2015/16

Cole Cup to Portsea 2000/01

Ray Maki Series 2021/22

Channels Race 2007/08

Supplementary Race 2014/15

Maritime Weekend 2014/15, 2015/16, 2020/21 and 2021/22

Mishap Award 2012/13, 2013/2014

Aggregate Club Champion winner in 1985/86,2000/01 and 2009/2010

Rear Commodore 1979/80 and1980/81

Club Captain in 1981/2, 1983/4, and 1986/7

Treasurer 1985/86

Committee member 1977/78, 1978/79, 1982/83, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2001/02. 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11/ 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2019/20, 2020/21

Website Master from establishment to 2019

Club Person of the year 2013/14 for Webmaster, Treasurer and Handicapper 

And finally, Colin was rewarded with Honorary Life Member of our club in 2013 for his services and long-standing dedication to QLYC.

Colin being recognised for his 80^th birthday in 2023!!

A wonderful gentleman, friend and decorated sailor who for almost 70 years has supported our club and its members as a stalwart of club administration over those years since arriving in Queenscliff in the 1950’s.