This is Colin "Porky" Newman's brief Sailing history.
"Porky" Newman joined Black Rock Yacht Club in 1946 and like others who followed in later years he came up the Bay from Mordialloc Sailing Club.
Porky, being a builder was one of those members that don't come along everyday. His drive and skills were put to immediate use in extending the boat storage shed, commonly known as the "Sharpie Shed", as that was the predominant type of boat that was stored there at the time. Heavyweight Sharpies were 500 lb and far too heavy to take home each week, so storage was critical to the club.
Porky's boat of choice was the Sharpie and initially that was the Heavyweight Sharpie. He sailed Heavyweights "Ariel", "Royalist" and "Impala", the latter was a beautiful varnished boat sailed in the Melbourne Olympics for South Africa.
In 1957/58 Porky won the Victorian Championship in Impala with crew Keith Higgins and Clem Chesters.
When Lightweight Sharpies appeared Porky switched across, with Tramp the first of two Sharpies bearing that name. Sixteen years after he won his first Victorian Championship he did it again this time in his Lightweight Sharpie.
After Sharpies Porky's sailing career moved to keelboats at Sandringham, initially in an old Albatross "double ender" Porky, Alan Le Nepveu & Jack Lees purchased as a wreck and re-built. Then as helmsman of Apollo II (formerly owned by Alan Bond) which he sailed with many of his old BRYC mates in the crew.
During the 60s Porky continued to apply his considerable drive with renovations on our old timber club building. He served on committee for many years becoming Rear Commodore during Alan Le Nepveu's time as Commodore.
One of Porky's major contributions to our club was the construction of our new clubhouse in 1968. He played a lead role in the design/planning phase and supervised the construction, doing much of the specialized work himself such as his beloved open fire. The plans for the building didn't have an open fire, but Porky had other ideas. He thought it would add atmosphere (and it did), so he just built one and it became one of the most popular features of our club house, especially on a cold afternoon or evening.
Subsequently Porky was made a Life Member of our club, which was very appropriate recognition of a significant contribution over many years.
We are very fortunate that Porky Newman came to our club and he certainly left a legacy, which will be remembered for a long time to come.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew Porky, sailed with him, or got involved with him in project around the club.
A truly great clubman and a great mate to all who knew him, who will be sadly missed.
Noel Sutcliffe
1950 - Porky's HWS "Ariel".
Sharpie crews off to Aust 1951 Sharpie Titles in Brisbane.
1958 Crew of Impala Vic Sharpie Champions.
Porky, Keith Higgins and Clem Chesters.
Porky's Lightweight Sharpie Aussie Titles history.
1961-62 Aussie Titles at Black Rock YC
V50 Dad (Keith) left, Porky 4th from left.
1965-66 Aussie Titles at Clifton Gardens, Sydney.
V46 is Porky's Tramp.
1968 - Porky building the fireplace at the new BRYC.
1968 - Porky & Alan Le Nepveu planting trees along the back fence at the new BRYC.
3rd Jan 1975 - Aussie Titles at Black Rock YC.
I think this was the only time that I ever beat Porky.
Porky(V124) finished 8th and I finished 7th in Heat 3.
Nothing like having photographic proof of us leading Porky. He probably shouldn't have his 'flattie' up.
1973 Porky was the Victorian Champion sailing Tramp.
The above photo was taken in Hobart and here is a great memory from Ferret aka Graham Keys.
I remember Porky's faithful German shepherd had died just before the series began. Porky was very down and in mourning. He came to one heat straight from drinking with some Japanese tourists all night at the Casino. I asked what they had spoken about. He said he had no idea because they did not speak English. In another heat the crew lost the sheets when dropping the flattie and they sailed the final work with the flattie flying from the mast like a flag.
Edgar Roe won the series and Porky finished third.
1976 Apollo 11 - Porky, Brian Collins and Dad (Keith).
