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ePaper created 2014-06-11, 13:05:34 | version 1.30.01
122 worked full time. Son, Alan, had woodworking gear at home and his knowledge of cabinet making was a great help although, as George says jokingly, he was either in or out of love during that time and his actual‘hands on’ help was quite limited! The only real disaster was when George decided to spray the interior mahogany - he had sprayed so many cars so why not. He was very lucky to get away with it as he almost asphyxiated himself. Aureole was on the phone to Green Lane Hospital with instructions from them not to wait for an ambulance if his condition changed but to get him there as quickly as possible. Luckily he did recover in 12 hours. Aureole had chosen the name Patere for the boat, which in Maori means to flow freely. She was finally launched on February 15, 1984 in great style with young Ashley, at 5 years old, horrified his grandmother would deliberately break a bottle! Patere was built as a cruising boat with as much storage and comfort as possible. She was, of course, 1000 lbs overweight when weighed. Cruise she has, and extensively - almost every weekend and for at least 4 weeks at Christmas time, and in the Squadron’s cruising races with some success, including winning the Easter Rally in 1986. George could not resist some general racing and since Alan’s return in 1990, after 6 years in Australia, Patere has been raced constantly with her woman crew and with considerable success - seeming to confound the handicappers at times, with some advantage to the owners! As of this writing, the Retters still own Patere, and continue to race and cruise her actively. Aureole has passed away, and George is now 80 years old. Alan has written the following about his father George: “Please note all racing success results are of a handicap nature as Patere’s line results are not so renown. While he was the Racing Secretary of Richmond Yacht Club he instigated the Wednesday Night racing, the first of such races in Auckland. These races changed the face of yachting to some extent, both the week day aspect and sponsorship. George negotiated the deal with Trevor Geldard of Consolidated Chemicals for the supply of their ‘Epiglass’ products as prizes for the Wednesday night races. The next year he began Richmond Yacht Clubs Winter racing programme, alternating with Royal Akarana Yacht Club on Sundays. George was Commodore of Richmond Yacht Club and for over 10 years he Aureole did the cruising Race finishes. He was the RYC’s delegate to the Auckland Yachting Association. When the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron moved to Westhaven George was persuaded to join. In 1977 he became the Auckland Yachting Association Delegate to the Westhaven Development with the Harbour Board and his boat Matatua was used to decide the turning space needed at the marina development. Matatua, his previous boat was sold and the glass hull and decks of Patere were purchased and finished of by George and his son. During this period he had a change in career and went mast building with the late Cal Berriman. The80’ssawGeorgeplayakeyroleinNewZealandYachtingcircles. HewasChairmanof theAucklandYachtingAssociation from 1983-87 (he represented the members of 40 yacht clubs with a total of 10,000 members.) One of his notable undertakings was the installation of Ruthe Passage Light which he built and installed. During this same period he was a member of theYachting Federation,Council and Executive.(As a Councilor he represented 121 clubs with 21,000 members.) He continued to represent the federation on a number of outside bodies until the early 90’s, when his deafness meant he was not happy in meeting situations. In 1984 he was made a life member of the Richmond Yachting Club. In 1986 George gathered up his first all-girl crew, mainly from the Auckland University. They had moderate success. With