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 Matthew Buckley AM CSC 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 WOMPT Dave Giddings RAN (Rtd)	VICE COMMODORE Mark Craig (Ex RAN)	REAR COMMODORE Eloise Clarke
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. For 28 years Dave was a small business owner in the marine industry and as a defence consultant with a passion for customer service. In 2022 he transitioned to retirement due to service related disabilities catching up with him. 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 John Wickenden	HONORARY SECRETARY Jonathan Struggles	SAILING MEMBER David Eastwood
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.


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 CPOET Nicholas GREENHILL RAN	SERVICE MEMBER 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 has been working in the RANSA office since 2025. Racing her s80, Alcamy, with an all women crew, in 2025 she became the first women in the club's history to win a division at RANSA.

Supporters

Pacific Sailing School