Welcome to this Christmas edition of Southern Cross Yachting Enews. As another huge year draws to a close it is a time for celebration, reflection and trying to find a carpark at Carindale shopping centre. This is the time of year, when we realize how much we value the important things in our lives and the joy of having them come back home for Christmas. Like the Ashes. So to all my English friends, our thoughts are with you at this sad time. The summer of cricket still has lots left to give or take, just depends on your birthplace I guess.
The Christmas holiday period, particularly Boxing Day is my favourite time of the year as it kicks off the three most important events of the year. The Boxing Day test at the MCG, the start of the world’s greatest yacht race and most importantly of all, the start of the Job family summer sailing holiday. All three are greatly anticipated, all three require massive preparation and planning and all three test the patience of all the players. All three events are at the mercy of the elements and each has its own unique set of challenges. They are respectively; the MCG pitch, the weather in Bass Strait and our insane Border Collie dog called “Ellie”.
This year sees an unprecedented number of Queenslanders heading south (I am talking about the yacht race, not the cricket game!) and we wish all our students and friends a safe and fast passage. But before any of that starts, we have to navigate the mine field of the ‘Present Day’. Now this can test the acting skills of an Oscar winner. To look delighted as you unwrap a 3 pack of socks takes great composure. “Thank you, how did you know I wear socks?” or “Just the other day I was admiring these at the checkout at Chemist Warehouse”. Us sailors aren’t noted to be sock wearers so where do you turn for the perfect gift for the sailor in your life? “Dan Murphy’s”, I hear you say, but the best gift isn’t something you would buy for yourself so a 26oz bottle of Bundaberg’s finest sugarcane juice doesn’t really cut the mustard! Particularly as the empty bottle normally goes in the bin with the rest of the Christmas wrapping…
So if you want to see a true look of happiness on your sailors face next Monday, then we have the answer. A Southern Cross gift voucher! Vouchers can be purchased for any amount or for any specific course and the lucky recipient has 12 months to redeem them. Fellas, she will love you for ever after enjoying a weekend or 5 day trip on the Bay. Girls, what about one of our “Romantic Sail” packages? A sunset sail, seafood platter, champagne and a night alone on one of our beautiful boats. If you like you could even bring him along with you! We still have spaces on our one-day course on the 6 January or our 5-day course commencing 8 January, where we add swimming each day to the syllabus. So jump on to your email or phone and do that last minute shopping with Southern Cross and give them a gift they won’t ever forget.
From all of us here at Southern Cross we thank you for your support throughout the year and wish you a safe and very happy Christmas – even if you only get socks!
Cheers
Mike Job.
