Mike Steel
COMMODORE
Mike was appointed to the Board in June 2015. Mike has been an active member of the Townsville Yacht Club since 2005. Prior to this he had crewed on yachts at the club in the 1980’s and off the beach racing at the Townsville Sailing Club during the 1990’s. As a member of the Townsville Yacht Club, Mike held the position of Sailing Captain for two years from 2010. After this role he continued as the clubs representative to the SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week executive committee. Mike continues to be an active racing competitor with his Elan E5 ‘Boudica’ and is a marina berth owner at the club. Mike was a partner in RLA Finance for 24 years. RLA Finance specialises in commercial equipment and property finance products. He retired from this role in October 2024. Mike was appointed as interim Commodore in March 2024 and elected as Commodore at the 2024 AGM.
Mick Malone
vice commodore
Mick was appointed to the Board as a Director in December 2013 and elected as Vice Commodore at the 2024 AGM. Mick is employed as a Tug Master with Engage Marine at the Port of Abbot Point and also owns and runs a maritime services business in the Townsville area. He has been an active member and volunteer for the TYC since 2005, when he fell in love with Townsville after sailing here from his hometown in southern Tasmania on his 31ft yacht. He grew up on the water and has extensive experience on both yachts and motor boats including trips to Antarctica, Sydney to Hobart races and delivering boats to many different destinations around Australia. Mick and his wife Cherie have previously volunteered on the Townsville Cruising Yacht Club committee and currently own a 42ft power catamaran, in which they are actively exploring the coastal waters of Australia.
Murray Whitehead
Secretary
Murray was appointed Secretary in June 2012 and previously held the position of Commodore for 3 years from June 2007 to June 2010 and has been a Director since 2003. Murray is a retired Environmental Planner and Manager with extensive experience in state legislation, statutory process and project management. He has been instrumental in achieving security of the club’s land and lease asset base and managing the marina construction and shore side upgrade. Besides his strong involvement in the business side of the club, Murray is a very keen supporter of strengthening the club and family participation in the sport of boating. He is active in supporting the growth and development of all aspects of sailing and he is the Club’s Discover Sailing Principal. Murray and his family are keen sailors on ‘Savanna’, specializing in cruising, island exploring and the very occasional race. Murray was appointed a Life Member of the Club at the 2014 AGM.
OWEN STANLEY
TREASURER
Owen was appointed to the Board in June 2017 and was appointed as Treasurer in February 2020 and resigned as Treasurer at the 2024 AGM. He has been a member of the Club since 1995. Initially he sailed and raced Teddy Bears Picnic, a Farr 37 and now Tap Dancer, a Farr 11.6. He and Jen have always enjoyed the friendship that the club has provided. Throughout his working life, Owen was an academic economist, but undertook consulting and managed a consulting company. At one stage he was head of a University School of Business which employed over 100 staff, and involving campuses in Townsville, Cairns and Singapore, and teaching arrangements in Sydney, Melbourne and China. Owen is now retired and is keen to see the club continue to develop its boating and business activities, and its friendly culture. Owen was elected as a Director in June 2024.
MAL CHARLWOOD
Director
Mal was appointed to the Board in 2020. Mal joins us with a strong background in property, tourism and hospitality, and has owned and operated both motels, resorts and game fishing and charter boats. Mal was involved in the establishment and operation of the Country Comfort Motel chain in NSW and southern Queensland before moving to Mission Beach in the late ‘70s. Here he purchased and operated a motel, which he redeveloped (as part of a joint venture) in 1985 and built the Castaways Beach Resort and Dundee Park (which was a crocodile farm and zoo). During this period Mal also identified a need for fishing boats in the tourism realm and purchased two game fishing boats and a 24m Quick Cat. From 1999 onwards Mal managed hotels for friends and has slowed down slightly and is currently a licensed Real Estate Agent and Auctioneer. Mal is also a member of SICYC who actively raise funds for Prostate Cancer Research. Mal is a berth owner and enjoys time on the water in his 35’ Riviera.
LANCE DENBY
Director
Lance was appointed to the Board in June 2022. An active member of the Townsville Yacht Club over the last 6 years, his association with Townsville Yacht Club dates back to 1989.
Lance has run an innovations business in Townsville since 1995, specialising in satellite communications and many other new technologies. Lance brings experience from several other roles including Senior Vice President for the Nursery and Garden Industry Association of Queensland, of which he was a Board member for 5 years, Board Member with Townsville Sunrise Rotary for 8 years (including a term as President) and an appointment to the Queensland Government Protected Plant Management Advisory Committee.
Lance has been actively involved in both the social sailing and racing activities with his current boat Ostara, a 38ft Bavaria. Lance has a keen interest in supporting and continuing to develop the strength of the TYC, promote its activities and encourage the benefits of Club participation.
Vicki hamilton
Director
Vicki was appointed to the Board of the Townsville Yacht Club as a Director in December 2013 and as Treasurer in August 2016. After taking a short break from the Board early in 2020, she was re-elected as a Director in June 2020 and as Treasurer again in June 2024. Vicki is also Director of JCU Early Learning Centres Pty Ltd and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She worked at James Cook University from 1995 until 2022 in various professional roles, with her final position being Director of Planning, Performance & Analytics. Vicki is currently employed at the Reef Authority as Manager, Compliance Projects. Vicki has had a lifelong association with the Yacht Club and is a keen and experienced sailor. She currently owns and races Akarana and was the winner of the Commodore’s Cup in 2019 and 2021.
TIM LOWY
DIRECTOR
Appointed to the Board in June 2025. Tim is the Regional Manager for a leading engine manufacturer, overseeing operations across Heavy Automotive, Power Generation, and Marine sectors in North Queensland. Originally from the east coast of England, he began sailing at the age of eight and has spent plenty of time navigating the cold, grey waters of the North Sea and English Channel, making the crystal clear blue waters, island backdrops, and endless sunshine of North Queensland nothing short of spectacular.
A passionate sailor and proud member of Townsville Yacht Club, Tim has become a familiar face over the past 10 years, whether it’s Friday evening socials, Sunday music sessions, or race days aboard his 1971 Swanson yacht ‘Elyara’, he’s always nearby. Be it by sail or by motor, Tim sees the Yacht Club not just as the best place to launch from, but as a truly special place to come home to. Tim brings energy, experience, and a deep commitment to helping the club grow and thrive.
Tony Muller
Director
Tony is a Life Member of the Townsville Yacht Club. He served as Commodore from 2012 to 2015 and he has been a Director on the Board since 1990. Tony has held various Flag Officer positions as Vice Commodore from 2010 to 2012 and Treasurer from November 2000 to June 2010. He has also been a member of the SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week executive committee since 2011. Tony is also currently a Director of the North Queensland Club in Townsville. He is a Certified Financial Planner and was a partner of FINPAC, a local investment and insurance advisory firm, where he managed the insurance practice until resigning in March 2025. Tony and his wife Selena own the Jeanneau SO409 yacht "Brava".
Terry price
Director
Terry was appointed to the Board in June 2015. Terry holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (BUILDING), a Diploma of Property Operations and is a licensed Electrical Fitter/Mechanic. Terry is a retired Facility Manager with 40 years experience in Facility/Property and Project management across northern Australia with Airservices Australia. He has been sailing on & off for 38 years starting on a cobra cat (The Phantom) off the beach at Pallarenda. He has been a member of Townsville Yacht Club since 2000.
wayne simonsen
Director
Wayne was appointed to the Board in June 2024. Wayne is the owner and Company Director of Simonsen Plumbing Pty Ltd. Wayne is a Plumber, Drainer and Gasfitter and a former Commercial Pilot (Not Current). His strengths include Project management, team building and a strong work ethic.
Wayne is a Rotarian and a Freemason having been President of Daybreak Rotary club on 4 occasions and twice Master of St Andrews of Townsville Freemasons Lodge. With a passion for giving back to the community having volunteered at the Cleveland detention centre in mentoring programs they ran in the past and running work programs at the Boot Camp for Beyond Billabong, before it was closed down by the current Qld Government.
Wayne and his wife Karen have 7 children between them. Wayne's passion in life has been Rugby League and Union which he played until age 56. He loves music and played guitar in a local band the "Block of Flats" for 12 years before discovering sailing in 2016 and becoming totally hooked. He bought his own boat ,Vaya Con Dios in 2018 and is an active member of the Yacht club and TYC Sailing Committee.
Wayne was appointed as Club Captain at the start of 2025.
John Stokes
DIRECTOR
John was Commodore from 2015-2024 and has been a Director on the Board since 2012. John came to Townsville in January 1993 and did his first Townsville to Dunk Island race on Waithara IV skippered by Rollo Rolleison. He has been a member since then and owned Border Reiver a Cavalier 32, Diablo a Farr 11.6, Mach 1 a Bavaria Match 38 and now has a Motor Boat "Mach-too". John and his wife Betty have enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of the Townsville Yacht Club for many years. John believes the club should be for all of us that enjoy the sea, enjoy our boats, and that the club should foster the pursuit of good seamanship. He has raced and cruised for many years and tries to understand and support the principles that make membership of our club a great pleasure. John resigned as Commodore in March 2024 and is still an active Board member.
John was Commodore from 2015-2024 and has been a Director on the Board since 2012. John came to Townsville in January 1993 and did his first Townsville to Dunk Island race on Waithara IV skippered by Rollo Rolleison. He has been a member since then and owned Border Reiver a Cavalier 32, Diablo a Farr 11.6, Mach 1 a Bavaria Match 38 and now has a Motor Boat "Mach-too". John and his wife Betty have enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of the Townsville Yacht Club for many years. John believes the club should be for all of us that enjoy the sea, enjoy our boats, and that the club should foster the pursuit of good seamanship. He has raced and cruised for many years and tries to understand and support the principles that make membership of our club a great pleasure. John resigned as Commodore in March 2024 and is still an active Board member.
