Every year Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club holds the Wally Pickford Memorial Marathon named after Past Commodore Wally Pickford. Wally was born and bred on the Goldfields and had rarely seen a river before a job opportunity brought him to the big smoke. Wally quickly grew fond of the water and before he knew it, he was sailing on the Swan at every opportunity. It wasn't long before Wally was a respected Member of the Club Committee and in 1995 Wally was elected as Commodore. He went on to serve as Commodore for 3 years.

 

In 2023, Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club lost Wally's wife Glenys 8 days before the Wally Pickford Memorial Marathon Race was scheduled for the year. It was only fitting that the Memorial Marathon Race was renamed the Wally & Glenys Pickford Memorial Marathon Race. Glenys was the first and only female Life Member at the Club and continued to be involved in Sailing at the Club right up until the beginning of 2023. Glenys was an integral part of the Sailing community, attending Events and being part of the Starters Roster.
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The Marathon covers most of the river and is one of the Club's most important races attracting yachts from most other Clubs. Wally Pickford has sailed Seafarer, Rhumb Runner and in the later years his beloved Shibumi, in every possible race. Shibumi although not a fast boat could hold her own in strong winds. Such a day occured in 2002. Wally had been undergoing a long period of treatment for a debilitating cancer. Despite being ill, he was determined to at least start the race. Not only did he start, but he won the race which now bears his name. Sadly, Wally passed away a few weeks later. The battler from the bush more than made his mark as the Squadron's number one flag bearer and his legacy will live on forever.

The wind was well and truly in, resulting in the race being able to start on time which also provided for great weather for all our competitors throughout the race.