You may have noticed our
burgee was flying half-mast the past couple of days. This is in honour of Past
Commodore Allan Pizzey AM who sadly passed away last Sunday after a long battle
with cancer. Allan was a member of one of the pioneer families at BYS in the
1950s and sailed a keelboat. He was elected as the youngest Commodore of BYS
serving 1965-67 and was made a life member in 1968. Allan and several of his
mates built the original timber jetty, sinking piles and constructing it by
hand, with no machinery in those days. Allan went on to become a senior manager
in the top end, high rise construction industry in Melbourne and elsewhere. He
was also a long-serving Chair of St Michael’s School and a director of Yarra
Valley Water. Allan was recognised and awarded an AM for his services to the
community. When BYS was planning for a new clubhouse in the early 2000’s Allan
assisted the Committee of the time with project management guidance and advice.
He prepared a report on the condition of the old building, highlighting that it
was beyond redemption and needed to be demolished and replaced. This involved a
great deal of professional work provided gratis, as a volunteer.
Allan made a significant contribution to BYS that will always be remembered.
