Last week we heard from key speaker Niesje Hees, Commodore of the
Royal Brighton Yacht Club. She gave us a very interesting talk on the history of the Club and spoke about the upcoming 150th Anniversary. She also spoke about how sailors prepare for the Olympic Games and told us about some of the upcoming sailing events at the Yacht Club.
The history of the Club is said to have all begun as a result of a chance race challenge between two gentlemen cleaning their boats on the beach at Middle Brighton in August 1875. One month later, the Brighton Sailing Club was established with fifteen members. By April 1876 the Club (now Brighton Yacht Club) had fifty-seven members and thirteen boats on the register. In 1877 the first building was erected on the site. The Club prospered despite the depression of the 1890s, and by the turn of the century was in a sound financial position with 167 members and a new clubhouse, opened in 1898. So popular was the Club that a branch was opened at Black Rock in 1903, later to become Black Rock Yacht Club. Keenly competitive, those early members enjoyed spirited Club racing and soon turned to inter-club and inter-colonial competition. At the second inter-club regatta in 1878, thirty-four entries from four clubs vied for prize money in excess of £70. The regatta was a great success, attracting spectators from all parts of the city, and was to establish the Club’s reputation of excellence in race management that continues today.
The Royal Brighton Yacht Club is one of Australia’s premier yacht clubs, offering a wide range of sailing events and activities year-round, including junior and youth off-the-beach sailing and training, world-class Etchells and Dragons one design racing, keelboat racing and cruising and was recently awarded Victorian Yacht Club of the Year and is one of Melbourne’s favourite venues to enjoy Port Phillip Bay’s incredible views.The Olympic Restaurant and Bar is open to the public every day serving breakfast and lunch Monday to Sunday and dinner Wednesday to Sunday.
Niesje was asked at the end of her talk in question time about the excavation work that is going on at the front of the Club and she said they are putting in a curved driveway for better access for dropping off or picking up people at the front door. She said that our Club Members and families are very welcome to come to the Yacht Club at anytime.
After the speaker and a bit of fellowship, we received a Sergeant's Session from PP Paul Nicholson in his cheeky style which brought in much needed fines for the Fellowship coffers.
Meeting Highlights
RCB Club & Board Meetings August - October 2024
Last Week's Raffle Results
Last week the raffle was run by PP Pat Kearns with the help of Roger Fairlam. The winners were: Peter Sneddon & Stuart McIntyre.
Secretaries Announcements
Secretary Anthony Langley presented his segment.
There were no announcements.
Apologies were:
PP Julie Avery, PP Keith Cameron, Pres Donna Wright, John Schmoll,
PP Keiran Cromie, PP Alan Pinkus, Jo Kwok, Wendy Davis, Eric Barr,
PP Des Thomas.
A Message from Angie Biggin
The next Lunch at the White Rabbit,
Church St Brighton,
will be on Wednesday 14th August at 12:30pm.
Initially, this lunch was organised for Partners of Members but is now open to include “Friends of Rotary” or passed Members Partners who would care to come along for an enjoyable lunch and catch up. Also, if you are a new Members Partner and would like to meet other Partners please come along to a most enjoyable informal lunch. (We pay for our own food and drinks on the day). All are most welcome!
Please let me know if you would like to join us as I will make a booking in advance.
Hope to see you there.
Angie Biggin
0418 520 545
angiematron@hotmail.com
A new name for Zone 8 & online webinar
We've officially adopted the name Rotary Pacific to refer to our region of Rotary, replacing the term Zone 8.
Join us online on Saturday 3 August 2024 at 5pm to learn how your club can harness the potential of our new operating model to thrive.
To Register now for the above webinar Zoom meeting contact VP Ian Stacy.
SPEAKERS WANTED
Please if anyone has ideas on getting some great speakers for our meetings we would love to hear from you.
