New Recipients of 2016 Australia Day Honours

Members of the sailing community – John Winning, John Buzaglo, and Alan Tough – have been recognised in the 2016 Australia Day Honours List.

John Winning has been recognised as a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community through fundraising and support for charitable organisations, and to sailing and horse sports.

An active Sydney Harbour sailor, John has been President of the Australian 18 Footers League since 2001, member since 1975 and was recognised as a Life Member in 1984. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Sydney Heritage Fleet and a member and Patron of the Vaucluse Amateur Sailing Club. Celebrating an early Australia Day, John took out the Australian Championship for Historical 18 Foot Skiffs over the weekend.

John Buzaglo has been honoured with a Medal (OAM) in the Order of Australia in the General Division for service to sailing as a yachtsman and instructor.

Recognised for his involvement with C-class catamarans and the ‘Little America’s Cup’, John was involved in the building and sailing of the first successful ‘wing powered’ sailboat the catamaran ‘Miss Nylex’ in the early 1970s. On retiring, John moved to Bittern where he set up the Linden Lake Sailing School, which he ran 17 years, introducing many locals to sailing.

Alan Tough receives a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division for services to sailing and to the community.

Coming from a well-known sailing family in Western Australia, Alan was on the water at an early age and has played an integral part in the development of sailing. Alan has held many roles with Yachting Western Australia including President (2005-2007), Vice-President (2002-2005) and Board Member since 2002 and involved with the Western Australia Institute of Sport across the spectrum of junior entry levels to the High Performance Programme.

He is a former President of the S80 Association and an active club member of over 40 years at Royal Perth Sailing Club where he has taken on many Committee positions as well as Captain Sail and Rear Commodore.

Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Mr John William WINNING

For significant service to the community through fundraising and support for charitable organisations, and to sailing and horse sports. Service includes:

Member, POSH Gala Ball Committee, Cancer Council NSW, 15 years.
Founding member, Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation Golf Club, 2003. (Supports research into children’s cancer especially leukaemia).
President, South Sydney Rotary Club, 1998-1999 and Member, 1992-2005 and Representative with the Redfern Police Citizens Youth Club.
President, Australian 18 footers League, since 2001 and member since 1975 and Life Member, since 1984.
Member, Board of Governors, Sydney Heritage Fleet, ‘no dates’ and provided physical and financial support for the purchase and restoration of historical 18 foot Skiffs.
Honorary Provision, Radio Relay Vessel, Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, ‘for 10 years’.
Patron and Member, Vaucluse Amateur Sailing Club, ‘for more than 30 years’.
Chair, the Equestrian Australia Patrons Programme, since 2014.
Member, Equestrian Australia, since 1998.

Awards and recognition include:
Recipient, Australian Sports Medal, 2000.

Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division
Mr Alan Ronald TOUGH

For service to sailing, and to the community. Service includes:

Yachting Western Australia:
President, 2005-2007.
Board Member, since 2002.
Vice-President, 2002-2005.
Trustee, Ron Tough Yachting Foundation, 2005-2007.
Founder, Making Waves Electronic Newsletter, 2006.
Life Member, since 2009.

S80 Yacht Association:
President, 1986-1992, and 2011-2014.
Board Member, 1985-1995.
Life Member, since 2010 and Member, since 1984.

Royal Perth Yacht Club:
Rear Commodore, 1991-1993.
General Committee Member, 1988-1994.
Captain, Sail, 1988-1990.
Member, since 1971.

Community service includes:
President, Westcare, since 2006 and Board Member, since 2002. (Westcare is an Australian Disability Enterprise, providing quality employment and training for 150 West Australians with a disability).

Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division
John Houston BUZAGLO

For service to sailing as a yachtsman and instructor. Service includes:

Crewmember, International C-Class Catamaran, ‘Quest II’.
Challenger, UK, 1965, Little America’s Cup.
Involved in building and sailing the first successful ‘wing powered’ sailboat the catamaran, ‘Miss Nylex’.
Winner, International Catamaran Challenge Trophy, 1974 and Trophy Defender, 1976.
Founder and Operator, Linden Lake Sailing School, ‘for 17 years’.

Source: Jane Gordon, Yachting Australia