Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

So just how do you get a 20 footer to Vanuatu then?

Simple. Make sure it is a container and then place it on a ship. APC Logistics has very generously donated the transport fees to Vanuatu for a 20’ container full of educational materials and humanitarian aid, as part of the ORCV’s 2010 M2V. The container will arrive just before the competitors in 2010, thereby allowing ORCV Commodore, George Shaw, to oversee its distribution and make sure 100% of the materials reach those who really need them.

As it was done in 2006, so shall it be done in 2010 again...

It’s not only ships that form a part of the bloodlines at APC Logistics. Sailing is very much part of the way of life there too. APC’s CEO is Tony Considine. He's a dedicated multihull sailor from SYC and most currently known for owning and driving ‘Mad Max’, a 10m Grainger designed, super slippery catamaran. ‘Mad Max’ often gets referred to as the fastest cat in the country, thanks to its huge power to weight set up that sees them regularly taking line honours or indeed setting records, such as at the last Marlay Point Overnight Race. Tony’s boats have won the last four Marlay Point events, so it was going to be hard for him to fly under the radar with the new boat. He did try, by not being onboard as he honoured some work commitments, but the crew managed to smash the record none the less. This race historically goes into the early hours of Sunday morning, or if they have parked with no breeze, then often it is late on the Sunday morning before the fleet makes it home. ‘Mad Max’ has set the record covering the approximately 60nm course in just three hours and 49 minutes, to finish a little over half an hour before midnight on the same day!

Brian Slater, APC Logistics’ National Compliance Manager has gotten the bug again since partaking in the last four of SYC’s terrifically fun Corporate Days aboard Peter Blake and Kate Mitchell’s ‘Goldfinger’. “They really are the perfect hosts”, Brian said to me today. “I am lucky my real role at APC is to make the most of APC’s involvement on those days.” I am sure he’s got a lot else to do in the business, but it is good to see him having fun with it all. Brian certainly knows the pointy end from the blunt. Sometime ago now, he served his ocean apprenticeship aboard the late Dr. Mac Stokoe’s ‘Milluna’ and ‘Myuna’ doing M2H, M2KI and a plethora of the Bass Strait circuit along the way with the good Doctor. Today, as a result of the family being a little older, Brian can make a regular appearance on ‘The Secretary’.

Happy times at the SYC Corporate Day aboard the pretty Farr52 'Goldfinger'.

The Rotary Club of Brighton North, represented by Richard Potter is organising the contents of the container that will assist the likes of the North Vila School. Sincere thanks to Richard and Rotary for their efforts in assisting the ORCV in being such a good corporate citizen – it would not be possible to help Vanuatu the nation without you.

In the end, the ORCV and the people of Vanuatu would also like to thank Tony Considine, Brian Slater and the whole APC Logistics team. You’ve exceeded everyone’s expectations with your generous 20-foot gift, so it really is little wonder then that your corporate ethos is “to exceed our clients’ expectations in everything we do”. If you need your freight forwarding and customs clearing requirements exceeded, then perhaps you should go and look at www.apclogistics.com.au!

The link to the M2V Notice Of Race is HERE.

 

By John Curnow

 

 

 

Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

I could do with a break...

 

And by the looks of these pictures, this sailing caper could be right on my sweetspot. We all know that the weather can sometimes be a bit ordinary, but by the looks of this lot, they were all personally vetted for the brochure by Captain Raw himself.

Not a staged shot of Trent Shaw and Robyn Brooke...

Because this Stripey Tuna (Bonito) was the fruit of Trent's labours. Awesome for Marlin Fishing, not the best eating fish I'm told. Could have done with a freezer full of them for the Lizard Island Marlin Tournament... Many thanks to Richard Snr, Richard and John Mollard for teaching me to fish properly, in the NT and FNQ last year - and then to make an awesome curries and Singapore Crab with the fruits of our labours... Yum! A lifetime of memories and stories - cheers.

Can't have been hard to take if you're up there popping shots off... Shame your harness is in shot divulging your name John Weatherly.

Maybe making a loaf of bread is more in your line... Well done Timmy "The Ocean Racer" Barton, pictured here. Looks great - in fact, look closely and you'll see M2V moulded into the bread itself...

Good time to do laundry if you're becalmed.

You could make a coffee... Or just take in the colours.

There are always great moments of colour.

But then someone has to get you there I suppose... (Where are we Mike? Ah, ....... if I know Mal. Reminds me of the story about the African tribe...) BTW, it is Neville 'Nifty' Rose on the wheel and I love getting his image into an article - he doesn't though, which is why I always do it anyway!!!

Reaching Kite, Staysail - Giddy Up!!!

Plenty of time to get the pose just right for the photographer. "The folks back home will love it!"

And here is the photographer hard at work.

Can't be too many sunsets left? 'spose I'll just have to take in yet more view...

Ah yes. The Port. We've made it. Bet you're glad...?

More nice colours. That darkish green is really affecting my eyes somehow? Any ideas anyone?

So clearly there were some cold bits around. This is Helsal II punching out.

But then here's something to think about for when you get there... Bound to help in my experience.

The USS Coolidge as it is now and in better days pre WWII...

And speaking of arriving, there'll be plenty of activity at the port to welcome you. Hopefully not too many of your competitors though...

...but plenty of smiles, because you just made it. 1885nm down and time to relax and partake in all that is on offer.

There are ceremonies...

And here are the headresses...

Might not be the G, but this grandstand serves well at the local sports ground.

Want to go and see the NOR and perhaps check out who is already going? Then just click HERE.

 

By John Curnow

 

The ORCV – we’re not just PC,

we’re good Corporate Citizen’s too!

OK. Just where am I going with this lot then? For sure the ORCV is Politically Correct, which is exactly the way it should be. However, the main point is that for the 2006 M2V, the racers got together and sent a container ahead of them to Vanuatu. In that container was 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid (school supplies, medical supplies etc.), which was then distributed to schools and hospitals throughout the 80 constituent islands that together form the delightful country of Vanuatu.

Half full container - and then just about ready to go....

Now in part of that aid shipment were some PCs (yep Personal Computers, so I’ve just closed the link on the title), that were arranged by Paul Anderson from the Gordon Institute in Geelong, who sailed on 'Ocean Skins'. When George Shaw arrived in Port Vila and went to the Port Vila Institute of Technology, he saw that all the donated PCs were up and running and very much in use.

Getting all set up and students eagerly await to get onto using them!!!!

If you really want to do something for one of the PacRim nations, then think about this. This is 100% REAL. Not one cent of the donations went into admin fees of the organising charity. Now of course for all the Demtel shoppers out there, you do get an added bonus! Yee Ha. Not only will you be feeling totally altruistic, you also get to do an awesome race and when you arrive, you will see all your good work in action!

Not sure about the safety aspects here - perhaps you can help with donating some safer devices for the local kids to use???

No more words to add really...

Helen sells breakfast at the market to help get her Grandkids through school... and below is the market itself.

So there you have it. Everyone wants to be good Corporate Citizens again for the 2010 M2V and the ORCV is well into planning something similar.  Sponsorship for a container and associated costs for transportation and clearances will be required, which will not be that much in the grand scheme of things. Now someone will know someone, who definitely then knows the right someone, to get this all happening. Start now and when you find that person, please call George Shaw on 0411 464 802. Also, if you want to arrange for something to go into that container for the lovely people of Vanuatu, then please join the gang organising this and email Jim Mitchell via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Click HERE for the 2010 M2V NOR

 

Click HERE to express your interest in the 2010 M2V OR,

Click HERE to see who's already going

 

Why not check out Karen Young's video of the 2006 M2V to really get inspired.

Click HERE to watch it now. BTW, George tells me that you, the Fam and bub are all going well Kaz. Nice One!

Click HERE to read Just a quickie!

 

 

By John Curnow.

 

 

Melbourne To Vanuatu (M2V)

299 days to go!

 

 

It would seem Jeremy Walton from 'Rogue Trader' cannot wait for the 2010 M2V to arrive. The footer of his email carries a countdown to the start date.

Thank you for the reminder Jeremy. He's obviously a Jack Nicholson fan, as the purpose of his email was to show me a nautical spoof of "A Few Good Men", which you can see HERE.

And now that the 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu is featured once more, you may want to look at the information on the links below and get yourself set for the great adventure (nice segue eh!)

 

 

The video by Karen Young of the 2006 M2V can be seen HERE.

The NOR for the 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu race (M2V) is available HERE.

 

You can express your interest in the 2010 M2V by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or do it online HERE and then finally,

 

You can see the fleet list for the 2010 M2V HERE.

 

By John Curnow