Sailabilty, is a community organisation that supports people - young and old - living with a disability to lead fuller more enjoyable lives through sailing.Among other groups, the local Dobroyd Club supports severely disabled children from Western suburbs schools take to the water and find a new freedom on the sea. Many of these children are wheelchair bound. In 2018, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimated 4.5% (or around 211,200) children aged 0–14 had a profound or severe disability in Australia.
The club which is run entirely by volunteers relies on donations to operate the programs, purchase and maintain sea worthy vessels and keep the equipment in top notch condition.
In late 2021 we were able to provide $2,462 toward the purchase of sails for a Hansa 2.3 Servo and two Hansa 303’s. These are a specialist sailing boats with several rig sizes, configurations, and seating arrangements for 1 or 2 people.
When accepting the cheque, Sailability Dobroyd President, Margy Sanderson, said this donation would help a young dad who contracted Septicaemia, a serious bloodstream infection and is now an upper and lower limb amputee to get out on the water. “We cater for people with disabilities and their families in a friendly and caring atmosphere.”
Sailability operates out of Dobroyd Aquatic (Sailing) Club, Five Dock, with 8 boats, and is entirely funded through community donations. It runs on going training for all volunteers, including those who are Rotary members, in sailing techniques and teaching, maintenance and use of equipment. For more information click here