Gifts bound forGreek shores

By Lia Bichel
KEEN sailors in Greece may benefit from a generous donation of two dinghies supplied by a Dandenong business.
Through the City of Melbourne and the Greek community of Melbourne, two dinghies designed by Access Sailability Systems in Dandenong have been provided for Sailability in Thessaloniki, Melbourne’s Greek sister-city.
Sailability is an international non-profit, volunteer organisation that provides affordable and safe community sailing opportunities.
Access Sailability Systems project manager David Staley said he was proud that the business could support the organisation.
“We produce about 200 boats per year, and the majority of them are used by Sailability programs and community sailing programs,” he said.
“The whole rationale behind it is to make the sport accessible to everyone. You don’t have to be an athlete to sail them – just get in the boats and enjoy.”
Mr Staley said making the boats for the organisation were important in terms of supporting Melbourne’s Greek community sister-city.
He said the business will continue to support the organisation in the future.
The dinghies were farewelled on 17 March during a ceremony attended by David Staley, representatives from the City of Melbourne, Greek Consul General Christos Salamanis, Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos, representatives from Thessaloniki Association; Access Dinghy designer Chris Mitchell and chairwoman of Access Dinghy Foundation Jackie Kay.
Access Sailability Systems designs a range of sailing crafts.
Their innovative designs are aimed to enable people of all ages and abilities, regardless of their sailing ability and physical fitness, to enjoy the water from a safe sailing boat.