Who's Who - Marg Fraser-Martin

Have you ever wondered about the woman that is pointing a camera at you from either the starters boat or whizzing around in an inflatable safety boat? She always seems to get you at a great moment or sometimes not! 

Marg always seems to be out there, rain, hail, or shine and thanks to her, club members have been able to view the many wonderful shots she has taken of our boats. Many of us have been lucky to be out there with Marg and get to know her. She is always so enthusiastic and happy and does this all on a volunteer basis. 

This week we turn the camera around on Marg Fraser-Martin and let you know a bit more about her. I asked her to tell us a little bit about herself, what drives her passion and what other interests she has. So, when you see her arriving on that big bike or wandering around the club, come up and say “Hi” and I am sure she would love to be treated to her favourite tipple. 

Please also visit and like her great Facebook “Marg’s Yacht Photos” with so many wonderful photos of our boats. One of her ways of keeping busy during Covid, is to try to put up race per day!

This is Marg’s story:

Photography: Photography is my retirement career. I like to take photos of people doing awesome stuff, being passionate about what they are doing and having fun.

Along with yachts and sail racing photography, have also done several golf tournaments (Charity), cars and people having fun doing laps at Eastern Creek Raceway and Charity gala dinners. All I need is an invite and some sandwiches and water on the day.

Photos are a good way to show people what an awesome time you are having and encourage them to give sailing a try, starting as a crew member.

Sailing, to me, is one of the few sports that anyone at any age can do and compete.  Many sports depend on a genetically blessed body.  Sailing is more brain than brawn.

Sailing experience: While hiking in the Himalaya’s (Annapurna Hike), I met a chap who had a yacht.  Seemed like a good plan to meet up, learn how to sail and see where all that went.  Had lessons, have sailed a couple of Hamilton Island race weeks and also Airlie Beach Race Week. Best to describe my sailing as “takes instruction well”.

Sailing photography: Was invited to MHYC to photograph an event in 2017, based on my interest and qualification in sailing and photography. I just keep coming back.

Favourite Tipple: Hot Chocolate with plenty of marshmallows (Sandbar Café, best ever).

Bribery: See above, and don’t be mean with the marshmallows.

Optimist or pessimist: Realist, I always look to the worst possible outcome, so any outcome always looks good.

Happy/Sad/Grumpy: Generally happy (aiming for 80% happy). I can see humour in most situations. I mumble when grumpy, just need a hot chocolate.

Good Pandemic stuff:

• Local Library did home delivery, brilliant, I also let them choose the authors, brilliant; I got whole pile more authors to enjoy reading. Love serial killer books.
• Met up with young Michela (sails with Garth on Sirius and Gambler).  Lives close, our meeting point for exercise is a cemetery. 
• Purchased a Hot Chocolate making machine.

Favourite Films:

• The Hunt for Red October, Sean Connery and the line “Andrei... you've lost another submarine?” 
• Master and Commander, Russell Crowe and the line “Never mind the manoeuvres, just go straight at 'em.”

Other sports: Kayaking, hiking, climbing, biking, "walking" Hunter (my dog), used to run in half marathons (good training for walking Hunter).

Union or League: I am from New Zealand and you are asking me that??? 

School years: Endured.

Motorbikes:  licensed at 15. Started on a Honda 50cc, chucked out the p plates and quickly jumped up to my favorite bike of all time “Honda Dream 305”. My present bike is a Honda 500 CBR.

Favourite place in the world: Patagonia. The hiking and the climbing.  It is my soul place.  I think I was kidnapped from there as a child.

Dog or Cat:  Have a dog called Hunter (Kelpie/Border Collie).

Leaving NZ: Small town, finished Uni. 21 single, gotta get out of there.  Still a New Zealander at heart very conflicted at Bledisloe Cup Time.

Mountains or the Ocean: I belong to both villages.

Working Life: My career has taken me to many places in the world to work and live. Very happy to be back living in Australia.

“Marg’s Yacht Photos” Facebook: Remember if you like it, put a thumbs on it.  Those with the most thumbs up get the most/best photos.

Julie Hodder
Membership Committee