16, APRIL 2024

Sadly Garth Silcock passed away on 8 April 2024.

Garth Silcock has been a member of Fremantle Sailing Club since 1973.
He was a competitive sailor from the days of racing surf cats from the old Louisa Street Club competing in organised Club yacht racing events off South Beach.
At the conclusion of racing, members would congregate at the old Louisa Street Club house for a social gathering and presentations. Garth became volunteer bar manager and assisted by other members soon turned it into a very profitable asset.
It operated throughout the planning and construction phases of the present Club facilities with Garth at the helm. It was used extensively during the Parmelia Race (1979) and up until the new Club house bars became functional.

During Garth’s time at FSC he has held the position of: Rear Commodore Sail; Sail Captain; member of several sailing committees; Duty Officer; Member of Social Committee.
His yachts were a 14’ class plank Marconi Rig; 14’ Surfcat; 21’ Admiralty Trailer-sailer Karadean and a 28’ Spirit Tantrum.
Some of his other contributions include:
Member of the Bosuns Section, assisting with the maintenance and positioning of racing buoys.
Assisting Noel Sweetman with hydrographic surveys for the Club, including surveying the approaches to Success Harbour for the Whitbread Races.
Volunteer: Whitbread events; Parmelia Race; Australia 2 cup trialling from FSC. Assisting with ramp maintenance. Involvement in the establishment and running of the Junior Section activities. When Power Boat time trials were introduced into the Club, he always provided himself and his boat for check point duties.
On Opening Day 2004, Garth was presented with a certificate of recognition for having completed 30 years of continuous competition at Fremantle Sailing Club.
He also crewed on yachts in extended ocean races. Garth regularly assisted on the Club’s start boat while still active in the Duty Officers section and holding the position of Deputy Chief Duty Officer.
Garth enjoyed being on the committee for the Children’s Christmas Party, organising and wrapping the gifts and sometimes even having to be Father Christmas on the day.
At 91 years of age, he could no longer be a part of the start boat crew, but he would always have the best memories of wonderful crew, and exceptional people who volunteer their time and efforts, which helped the Club succeed.
He is held in high regard by FSC and his fellow members including the FSC Coffee Club of Seniors.

Article – PDF Available here.