THE Yachting Journalists' Association has a new chairman.
Writer June-Marie Hamilton was elected to succeed journalist and author Bob Fisher by members at the YJA annual meeting held at the Royal Ocean Racing Club in London on Wednesday, May 27.
She is only the second woman to hold the position of chairman in the 40 year history of the Association. Broadcaster Tracey Clarke was the YJA’s first female chairman in 2002 and 2003.
Mrs Hamilton is a writer and TV researcher on sailing topics on the South Coast and in the Channel Islands.
And it is very likely that the YJA’s next chairman will also be a woman. Mrs Hamilton proposed yachting journalist Sue Pelling as her deputy, and was agreed by members at the meeting.
June Hamilton paid tribute to Bob Fisher as her predecessor who stepped down from the position of chairman for three years. He remains a member of the Association’s ten strong Committee.
She said: "I want to propose a very special vote of thanks to our out-going Chairman Bob Fisher, to whom we all owe a huge debt of gratitute. His inspirational leadership of the YJA over the last three years has been extremely good for the Association. Bob has steered the Committee through a most successful three years and three remarkable Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year elections and presentations.
"Arriving originally to find the YJA in a somewhat contentious state, Bob has restored calm, diplomacy, propriety and goodwill all round - and he has been most generous with his time and efforts, while seeking nothing in return. I know that the whole membership joins me in this vote of thanks.
"I am delighted to be able to report that Bob has kindly agreed to continue to sit on the Committee - so we are keeping him close by - not losing him."
