Vale Neville Smyth
Id just like to pass on the news of the passing of a great member of the Arrow & Arafura world,
Neville Smyth spent many years as a head of the Committee, serving as President, Secretary & Treasure on numerous occasions.
In the early days building several of both type boats & building the class & sailing community.
Kind Regards
Ashley Smyth
brownbillauto@live.com.au
Vale
Neville Smyth aka Nifty was a long time supporter of the VAACA he was
President, Secretary and Treasurer at various times. He built several of both
classes and at least two of his children sailed for a number of years. Nev was
one of the very early members of Lysterfield Yacht Club. He was also on the
OTB committee at VYC (now Yachting Victoria).
He volunteered as the start boat driver at Parkdale Yacht Club for a number of
years.
In his childhood he would spend some holidays with relations in the
Maffra/Newry area in Gippsland and fell in love with the bush. Over the years
he bought several bush properties and would spend some holidays there
although for a long time over the new year he and most of the family could be
found at the Arrow/AC Nationals.
When he retired he moved permanently to Newry although he would still
make the two and a half hour journey to Parkdale for a couple more years to
drive the start boat.
When he moved to Newry he joined the CFA and was a member there for over
20 years. He became chairman of the local brigade and was elected to the
Local Group committee and also the District committee.
One of his sons took up baseball and Nev qualified as a baseball umpire and
gave many years of service to the sport.
Neville Smyth gave freely of his time as a volunteer in many different areas and
we salute his service.
RIP
60th Arrow and Arafura National Championships 2026-27 Victor Harbor SA
