This is the story of Jim Goss, a founding member of the South Perth Yacht Club, told through recollections from his son Kevin Goss.
Jim and his H28 Bronzewing.
My Dad, Jim Goss brought an H28 formerly named Tania over from Royal Perth Yacht Club in 1967 and named her Bronzewing. The yacht’s home was the South of Perth Yacht Club’s pen jetty immediately south of the slipway and boat shop (if there is still one), about two thirds the way out. Was it C jetty?
I have attached a photo of Bronzewing up on slips for its annual clean and antifouling. That’s me, Kevin Goss, in khaki overalls. No doubt you will be interested that Ron Ellard (left) helped out that day. Ron went on to become Rear Commodore or Commodore of the Club. I sailed with Ron in 14 footers (more about that in another story). The year would have been between 1966 and 1968.
Dad raced Bronzewing with the SoPYC H28 fleet although not on a regular basis, with John and me as occasional crew. I have included a photo of me on the foredeck. Unfortunately, I have no photo of Jim at the helm. We weren’t very competitive, but I remember that the fleet stayed relatively close throughout the race. Handicapping was to the half-minute where all other classes were by the minute.
Dad would sing the praises of H28s as a dual-purpose boat. Every year, around Christmas – New Year, Dad and Mum (Ev Goss) took Bronzewing to Parker Point for several weeks holiday (see photo of Bronzewing at anchor). John and/or I would help with the ferrying Bronzewing over and back, trailing a tender. I have attached a 1968 photo of John on the tiller.
At Parker Point, Jim and Ev Goss would meet up with their long term friends Eric & Daphne Salamons, and Max and Mary Shean. Max is well known from other exploits – mini-submarines in World War II, and winning the 1979 Parmelia race in his S&S 34 Bluebell. Bluebell is still sailing today, jointly owned and skippered by Peter Nevard, another SoPYC stalwart and formerly skipper of a 14 footer named Ballerina.
After selling the H28 in his 50s, he and Mum also had powerboats named Bronzewing which like the H28, made annual pilgrimages to Rottnest.
Jim passed away in 2007, and my mother Ev and my brother John in 2014 – ending the Goss family association with the South of Perth Yacht Club.
The above stories have been told to the archive team through a series of emails during which Kevin Goss freely shared stories of his father, his family and family friends on and around the South of Perth Yacht club. H28 archivist Rick Steuart helped with some historical details. Kevin also supplied the photographs and the archive team recognises their wonderful addition to our history.
