Key People
Navy Patron of RANSA
RANSA is honoured to have the Chief of Navy as a non executive patron for ceremonial occasions, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM RAN
Flag Officers and Directors
At the Annual General Meeting the following members were elected as Flag Officers and Directors of RANSA Sydney Squadron for the 2025/26 year.
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COMMODORE |
VICE COMMODORE |
REAR COMMODORE |
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Les joined the Navy just after his 16th birthday, became an electrical engineer, and enjoyed a 24 year career in uniform. Reluctantly being brought into Defence industry a couple of years after leaving the Navy, another career ensued in small business, supporting all three services. He owned the 1949 8 Metre Erica J for 16 years and X-50 Wax Lyrical for 10 years so he has raced timber classics and Sydney Hobart Division winners. Les has been a RANSA member since 1982. |
Dave joined the RAN as a 16-year-old in 1973. He devoted 22 years to the RAN starting out as an apprentice Marine Technician and finishing at the esteemed position of Warrant Officer. On discharge he joined the RAN standby reserve until compulsory retirement. He learned to sail at RANSA in 1982 and is the proud owner of SYLVARA, since 1994. In the last 28 years he has been a small business owner in the marine industry and as a defence consultant with a passion for customer service. He is an Ex Commodore of RANSA and came back onto the board in 2023 to progress Veterans Sailing @ RANSA and contribute to the efficient operation of the club. |
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HONORARY TREASURER |
HONORARY SECRETARY |
SAILING MEMBER |
| Peter is an avid sailor and windsurfer, with a particular love for racing, cultivated through experiences with Etchells and ocean racing. Peter is a co-founder of Exto Partners, an Australian venture capital fund focusing on technology companies. He plays an active role on the boards of numerous firms within Exto Partners' portfolio, some of which are listed on the ASX. Holding a Bachelor of Business (B.Bus.) degree from the University of Technology Sydney, Peter is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Peter and his co-owners race their yacht regularly in the RANSA competitions. |
Jeff has been a member of RANSA for over 20 years and is a keen sailor on ‘Monica’s Daughter’ (a Ron Ebbutt-designed Custom 30).Jeff sails in RANSA events and on coastal cruises with family and friends, and started sailing at an early age in moths, VJs and skiffs.In the 1970s, he built a ferro-cement yacht with a friend and cruised extensively along the east coast. He has a particular interest in encouraging and expanding cruising activities at RANSA. Jeff has a degree in Economics from Sydney University and was formerly CEO of the NSW Superannuation Office, the Building Industry Long Service Leave Corporation and the Coal Industry Superannuation Scheme.He was also Chairman of several superannuation boards (including the State Authorities Superannuation Board and the NSW Police Superannuation Board). |
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NAVAL MEMBER |
NAVAL MEMBER |
SAILING MEMBER |
| David (Tiffy) Prentice came to Australia in 2011 as a lateral transfer into the Australian Navy following a 32-year career in the Royal Navy. This included Command of a Destroyer and four years assigned to the US Navy in the Pentagon. He recently separated from the Australian Defence Force following a 43-year career and is now a Defence Consultant. He has sailed since the age of 5 and has completed Trans Atlantic Races, Caribbean Series Racing and S2. |
Nathan is originally from Tasmania, where he grew on the water, spending most of his spare time sailing. He joined the Royal Australian Navy at 17, and is still a serving officer within Fleet Command. He is passionate about growing grass roots sailing in the Navy and the benefits sailing brings to the organisation and people. He is currently managing the Navy yacht “Navy One” in Sydney and the associated inshore and offshore sailing program for the Royal Australian Navy. He also sails his own yacht regularly with RANSA. |
Kate grew up in Sydney and is a communications and media professional, currently Manager of Communications at the Australian National Maritime Museum. She owns a creative services business, from which she has worked as a freelance editor, writer and musician and is leader of Kate Woolfe’s Big Bad Swing Band. A RANSA member since 2018, she co-owns a fixed keel 22 ft Compass Careel and loves sailing it with her family and friends. |
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NAVAL MEMBER |
NAVAL MEMBER |
SERVICE MEMBER |
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Danial is a current Navy serving member of 34 years. Recently, Danial was invited to have a go at sailing, on a cold winter's day, and found the joys that it brings. Growing up on the Sunshine Coast, Danial has always had an interest in all things water. Danial aims to promote sailing at RANSA to the local Navy community, enabling growth and prosperity to the sailing family |
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The Support Crew |
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SAILING ADMINISTRATOR Nick comes to RANSA with 20 years experience as a Senior House Manager at a major Sydney Club and 7 years as a Maritime trainer, always a keen sailer and has been with RANSA since 2017 |
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Ruth joined the RANSA team in 2025. She is a keen sailor and for many years has raced her S80 (an 8 metre Swarbrick) on Sydney Harbour. She enjoys passing on her love of sailing, mentoring and teaching others to sail. She has reguarly participated in club racing on Sydney Harbour as well as 'up the river'. She is a keen supporter of the Sydney Harbour Women's Keelboat series. She comes to RANSA with a policy-research background, and thrives on helping organisations set up systems to create organisational outcomes. |
Supporters
