NCYC Directors & Flag Officers
Steve Rae
Commodore
Steve is a regular participant in NCYC yacht races skippering ‘Marta Jean’. Prior to retirement and permanent abode in Newcastle, Steve worked for a number of multinational manufacturing companies in Eastern Europe and Asia in mechanical engineering and management roles. Steve has been a director of NCYC since 2013.
Valda Johnston
Vice Commodore/Treasurer
Valda has an accountancy background, and worked for a number of years in her own civil works business, and then as a
commercial manager for mining & associated infrastructure companies. Valda enjoys participating in Club racing, crewing on a variety of vessels, and participates regularly with the “Skirts” and “She Sails”. Valda has been an active board member since 2016.
commercial manager for mining & associated infrastructure companies. Valda enjoys participating in Club racing, crewing on a variety of vessels, and participates regularly with the “Skirts” and “She Sails”. Valda has been an active board member since 2016.
Barry Kelly
Rear Commodore
Barry is a qualified pilot having commenced his career with the RAAF flying Mirages and F18s. He went on to fly with Cathay Pacific Airways in Hong Kong, retiring as a senior check captain and flying training manager. Barry owns and regularly races Archambault M34, ‘Concealed Weapon’, in NCYC club races and combined series. Barry has been a board member since 2015.
Adrian Kiely
Club Captain
Phil Ashley-Brown
Director
Phil is a Walkley Award winning journalist, and national quality manager for ABC radio. Phil holds a Bachelor of Communications (Hons) from University of Newcastle, and a Diploma of Management from Southern Cross University. Phil regularly races ‘Flip’, his Laser at NCYC, and crews on Beneteau 34.7, ‘Summersalt’. Phil has served on the board since 2015.
Jan Howard
Director
Jan taught in secondary schools for 20 years, having obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education. Jan also
coordinated workplace training programs for students, and ran a small business that provided relocation support to people
moving to Newcastle. She owns sailing yacht, ‘Schouten Passage’, and has been instrumental in introducing strategies to encourage more women to participate in sailing at NCYC. Jan has been on the NCYC board since 2017.
coordinated workplace training programs for students, and ran a small business that provided relocation support to people
moving to Newcastle. She owns sailing yacht, ‘Schouten Passage’, and has been instrumental in introducing strategies to encourage more women to participate in sailing at NCYC. Jan has been on the NCYC board since 2017.
Ken Semple
Director
Ken is an electrical and computer engineer, and has worked in the mining, electricity, and marine industries on design, construction, and software projects. Ken has been boating all his life including yacht and dinghy racing, and live aboard cruising on yachts and power cruisers. Ken arrived in Newcastle by boat after five years cruising with his wife aboard their motor cruiser. Ken races regularly at NCYC, and on Lake Macquarie. Ken often volunteers with the NCYC Race Committee and has been a director since 2019.