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.


COMMODORE CMDR Les Goodridge RAN Ret	VICE COMMODORE WOMPT Dave Giddings RAN Ret	REAR COMMODORE Ms Eloise Clarke
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.	Eloise serves as Rear Commodore where she plays a key leadership role in fostering a vibrant and inclusive sailing community. She chairs the House Committee, overseeing the planning and delivery of off-water events that strengthen member engagement and uphold the club’s social traditions. An active sailor, Eloise races on Silky, an Alerion 33 Sports, and competes regularly in skiff events with the Sydney Flying Squadron (SFS). Her involvement across both clubs reflects a deep commitment to the sport and to promoting participation at all levels, particularly through initiatives that support female sailors. Eloise brings to her role a strong background in change management and stakeholder engagement, which informs her collaborative and strategic approach to club leadership.


HONORARY TREASURER Mr John Wickenden	HONORARY SECRETARY Mr Peter Hammond	SAILING MEMBER Jeff Robinson
John comes from a sailing family as his father, James, was a very keen sailor and John often crewed for him, mainly in the Phillippines. John, his father and his brother eventually 'emigrated' to Australia in their own yacht (a thrity foot Atkins schooner) sailing down from Manila in the late 1960s, arriving in Cains. Once in Sydney John's father (ex British army) joined RANSA in the 1970s. In 1984 RANSA were looking for an Honorary Treasurer and after being interviewd by the committee John was offered that position and never looked back. John has owned and sailed a number of craft in Sydney, from a Moth, a Bluebird, a Dufor 24, and finally two Adams 10 meter yachts. While on long term overseas work assignments John crewed on racing yachts sailing out of both the Chicago Yacht Club (on a New York 36) and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (on a Ruffian and an Ethchell). John has a Bachelor of Economics with Honours in Accounting from Sydney University and is a Chartered Accountant. After experience gained in a worldwide accounting firm and then in commerce as the National Finance Director for a mulinational advertising agency, John is now in public practice as a registered Tax Agent and ASIC agent, which enable him to carry out his role as Treasurer.	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).


NAVAL MEMBER CAPT David "Tiffy" Prentice	NAVAL MEMBER CMDR Nathan Lockhart RAN	SAILING MEMBER Kate O'Connell
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.

NAVAL MEMBER Danial Schwenke	NAVAL MEMBER	SERVICE MEMBER Mr David Pearce
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		Dave grew up in Adelaide, close to Seacliff Beach and sailed Holdfast Trainers, Mirror Dinghy's, 303's and 420's before joining the RAAF at 16. His Defence career spanned 20 years in two stints, with a considerable time spent at RAAF East Sale where he sailed at Lake Wellington Yacht Club on RL24's. His last postings in Amberley and Richmond saw him compete in the Defence Sailing team on Tasars. Over the years Dave has sailed at RANSA when competing in Defence Regattas, but for the last 14 years has been sailing full time at RANSA, with the occasional Marley Point Overnight Race.
The Support Crew
SAILING ADMINISTRATOR Nick Wilson 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 Lawrence PhD 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

Pacific Sailing School