royal victorian motor yacht club williamstown

Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club

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Yacht history revealed

The world’s oldest continually-running motor yacht club is opening its doors to the public.

The Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club, established 113 years ago, is this month hosting a community open day in Williamstown.

Commodore John Zammit said the club originated in the Port Phillip Club Hotel in Flinders Street in 1904 and moved to its present site at 260 Nelson Place in 1937.

“The club actually pre-dates the Royal Australian Navy,” he said. “The club still has a strong association with the navy. In fact, the patron is the current Chief of Navy [Vice Admiral Tim Barrett].

“During the war, a number of our boats were seconded to a the naval auxiliary and they patrolled the local wharves and the docks.”

The club was granted its royal warrant, allowing it to use the prefix ‘Royal’, in 1937 – “in view of the possible usefulness of the club from a national standpoint in time of emergency”.

Mr Zammit said the open day aimed to dispel the myth that boating was out of reach or for a different echelon of society.

“While we are primarily a boat club, there is a great family and social side to the RVMYC,” he said. “In fact, many of our members don’t even own boats and come along just to enjoy our location and facilities.”

The open day, with food trucks, boating exhibits, live music, and bar and bistro facilities, is on November 26 from 11.30am-3.30pm.

Festive treats to tempt Santa and his reindeer

A safe festive feast for pets

Tips for smooth Christmas food shopping

Crunchy lemon and polenta shortbread

Have a green, green Christmas

Royal Yacht Club of Victoria

Royal Yacht Club Victoria (RYCV) was initially founded as the Port Phillip Yacht Club in May 1853 and remains one of the oldest yacht clubs in Australia. The Club is situated in Williamstown with a stunning view of the city skyline and is steeped in decades of yachting history and tradition. Today RYCV boasts more than 1,000 Members and over 200 yachts on the register making it an ideal Club for sailors with all levels of experience. Sailors can enjoy reliable and steady breezes with little or no current, making it a perfect stretch of water for club sailing or state, national and international regattas. Royals Training Centre offers courses for all ages and we have a strong and lively social program which is enjoyed by our Members.

Races & Entry

Calendar 2024, keelboat results, restaurant bookings.

RYCV Yearbook 2024

Cast Your Eyes Astern by Ann Goodwin

The Royals Foundation

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Upcoming events, music & specials.

New Year’s Eve @ Royals

Tackers School Holiday Program

Reopen 8 January

FOS Briefing Party 24 Jan.

Sunday Sessions

OutThere School Term 4 Program

Adult Keelboat Courses – Multiple Dates/Courses

VHF Marine Radio Course – Multiple Dates

Lipton Cup Regatta

16 & 17 November 2024

Home of Lipton Cup Regatta Host of International Cadet Class 2022 Worlds Sailing ⛵️ Restaurant 🥘 Bar 🍸 Events 🍾 #rycvroyals

OUR PARTNERS

OUR VISION     COMMITTEE     HISTORY     ROYAL WARRANT MEMBERSHIP    MARINA & YARD

A progressive club based on traditional values

Our position across the bay from Port Melbourne, has commanding views of the city skyline. The boating calendar kicks off in October with an Opening Day, where members unite to begin the festivities. The event commences with formalities which include the Commodore’s address and the official opening. Past openings have included State Premiers and Senior Naval Personnel. Following formalities, members and guests take to their boats for the traditional sail past and blessing, an ancient tradition, to discourage bad weather and ill seas for the year.

Marina Berths

Our 80 berths cater for boats up to 18 metres (60 feet) and offer permanent, casual and visitor accommodation.

All berths have access to water and shore power, plus shower and toilet facilities in the clubhouse. We adhere to the Clean Marina Program. Our participation has resulted in outstanding and efficient environmental controls and security.

Yard and Hard Stand

Excellent yard facilities are available for members’ boats requiring maintenance and we have access to a modern travel-lift from Savages Wharf who conduct the slipping and launching of vessels.

Hardstand facilities and trailer boat space are both available in the club’s paved yard at moderate rates for members.

Waterfront Dining and Venue Facilities

RVMYC offers a social experience second to none, for members and friends to enjoy dining in a relaxed atmosphere in convivial surroundings near the water’s edge.

An aerial view of the club in the early 60’s

Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AM, RAN

Chief of navy (2022 – current).

Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AM, RAN  joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1986 as an Electronics Technician, before commissioning as a Naval Officer in 1988. Graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in 1990, Hammond served in frigates before volunteering for submarine service and qualifying in the  Oberon  class. He is a dual qualified officer, graduating from the RAN Principal Warfare Officers Course, and the Netherlands and USN Submarine Command Courses, and Australia’s Senior Submariner.

Hammond served extensively in  Collins  Class submarines. He also gained international experience in French, British and US nuclear attack submarines and Dutch conventional submarines. His Command of HMAS  Farncomb  included submarine operations across the Indo-Pacific. Subsequent shore postings included the Assistant Naval Attaché in Washington DC, Submarine Capability and Joint Exercise Staff roles, and 12 months as the Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force.

On promotion to Commodore, Hammond was appointed Director General Maritime Operations. Hammond then returned to the United States as the Liaison Officer to the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was awarded the United States Legion of Merit (Officer) for his performance in this role. On return to Australia in 2018 Hammond was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff roles.

On promotion to Rear Admiral in 2018, Hammond assumed duties as the Deputy Chief of Navy and, in late 2020, was appointed Commander of the Australian Fleet. In these demanding appointments Hammond first oversaw substantial workforce growth, and then focused on enhancing the resilience and warfighting capability of Navy’s people and Fleet during the COVID19 pandemic.

Vice Admiral Hammond assumed Command as Chief of Navy on 07 July 2022, the first RAN Recruit School and ADFA graduate to do so, and only the second submarine Commanding Officer to be appointed to the role.

RVMYC encourages responsible boating and promote good boating courtesy. We are committed to fostering traditional skills in watercraft but are a progressive, dynamic Club with passionate members.

Memberships

Membership of the rvmyc, thank you for considering a membership to the rvmyc. membership is open to boat owners and non-owners, and provides for both boating and social interests with particular emphasis on family and community involvement..

As a member, you are entitled to use the club facilities in our new club house, which boasts a Level 1 Members only Club Room, Lounge, Library and Meeting Room, and downstairs an enclosed members BBQ area.

Membership fees (Paid Annually)

The procedure for Full or Country membership is as follows:

Complete and return the Nomination for Membership form and Application for Membership form, together with a payment of $1,100.00.ﾠ (For Partner and Clubhouse membership, simply complete and return the ‘Nomination for Membership’ and ‘Application for Membership forms’.)

Upon receipt of the above forms and payment, a mutually convenient time will be arranged for an interview. At this interview, you will be given some details on the Club, some of the expectations of members and we will give you the opportunity to ask questions.

Nominations for Membership will then be displayed on the Club notice board for 14 days as required by the Club Constitution. Nominations will then go to the next General Committee Meeting for approval. After approval, you will be notified of the result and your membership card/fob will be forwarded to you.

Enquiry Form

Referral if applicable

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RVMYC Committee 2024-2025

Ben Koutoukidis

James Moreno

Vice Commodore

Rear Commodore

Peter Skene

Hon. Secretary

Cameron Simpson

Stefan Bonnici

Mark smundin.

Marco Sampaio

John Burgess

Established in 1904.

One hundred and fifteen years ago fourteen gentlemen met in Melbourne to form a Motor Boat Club. This Club was to form the basis of the Royal Victorian Yacht Club. The RVMYC has been fortunate in the intervening years to have had a continuance of members with great foresight who saw the need for a club specifically catering for the needs of motor boat enthusiasts.

Steeped in tradition and history, this club has always been at the forefront of the Motor Boats Clubs on Port Phillip and enjoys links and friendships of all Motorboat and Yacht Clubs around the bay and beyond.

The RVMYC formed at a gathering at the Port Phillip Club Hotel in Flinders Street Melbourne, three doors from Young and Jacksons on 25 February 1904.

Present at this meeting were FM Linley, J McQuade, HBarker, C Atkins, E Huon, E James, C James, C Garner, L Garner, F Jackson, F Rayson, G Knott, B Lowther and Capt GM Strong.

It was resolved by these gentlemen to meet on 4 March for the purpose of forming a Motor Boat Club.

At this meeting the Office Bearers were elected: Commodore – FM Linley, Vice Commodore – JM Quade, Rear Commodore – H Baker, Captain – C Atkins, Hon Secretary – E James, Hon Treasurer – B Lowther, Committee – E Huon, C Garner, F Jackson, F Rayson, G Knott and Capt GM Strong.

Other foundation members were; A Harvey, Dr. I Blitz, CO Dentry, V Cole, J Myer, A Woods and C MacIntoch of Geelong.

The Early Years

The Club was first called the Victorian Launch Club. This was later changed to the Victorian Motor Boat Club. The club met for some years at the hotel until new premises were acquired at a site near the present ferry terminal at Princess Bridge Wharf.

The opening day of the club in 1904, was held in June and took the form of a cruise down the Yarra River. Among the boats to take part were the Motor Launches, Cingalee, and Nanoya, steam launches, Alvina and White Knight, St. Omer and Peggy.

The first of many races to Geelong was held on 30 January 1909 and was won by Mr Dentry in his boat Iona. Mr G Thomas donated the first prize of 5 guineas. All boats started on a handicap. A resolution was adopted to see that all boats starting were properly equipped with the necessary life belts and and any boats turning back, must ‘wire’ the secretary at Geelong, so as to allay any anxiety as to their whereabouts.

The First Clubrooms

The Port Phillip Hotel served as our Clubrooms till 11 November 1913, when a discussion to have our own rooms at Princess Bridge was agreed.

It was resolved to request the City Council to grant us rooms in the vaults at Princess Walk. Number 6 vault was granted to the Club. The first monthly meeting at Princess Walk was held on 1 December, 1913.

The committee of the VMBC for 1910-11. Sitting from left; EH Chesterman, RC Ansell, GE Thomas, DS Abraham. Standing from left; JG Steains, CO Dentry, SW Darby, R Aubert, HS Dickson, A Beale.

Royal Warrant

The king's blessing, on 18 february 1937, the club was formally given the permission to use the prefix ‘royal’..

This marked the opening of the 1937 season, whereby Royal Charter from the Lords High Commissioners of the Admiralty London, the title ‘Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club’ could be used. For this signal honour, the club is greatly indebted to Mr Charles Marshall, who helped the Club in many other directions.

The club was proud to receive the King’s blessing in granting title, as documentation at the time, he made it clear to the Governor General that in his considered opinion there were too many requests for the Royal Title taking place at the time. In the correspondence granting the club Royal Title form the Prime Minister at the time, JA Lyons, he states;

“The request has received full consideration and in view of the possible usefulness of the Club from a national standpoint in time of emergency it is desired to support the application”.

In 2011 the club marked the centenary of the RAN in a sail past at Station Pier Port Melbourne. The Club has a long history with the RAN, offering operation surveillance activities in Port Phillip, during the first and second world wars.

Marina & Yard

Our 85 berths cater for boats up to 18 metres (60 feet) and offer permanent, casual and visitor accommodation.

All berths have access to water and shore power, plus shower and toilet facilities in the clubhouse.

The Club provides excellent marina and yard facilities with access to a new travel lift that operates in Savage’s Wharf adjacent to our club.

Only Members can apply for Club Berths. To apply for a Marina berth, download the Marina Berth Allocation Application Form, fill in the details and sign. Forward your completed and signed form to the Club for processing.

If you wish to apply for a marina berth, the Marina fee is a one-off non-refundable application fee and does not include any berthing fees.

All boats will be inspected by the Marina Sub Committee for sea worthiness before any application for a berth will be considered.ﾠ The Marina Sub Committee meets regularly to assess the needs of the boat owners to the most efficient use of the limited berths.

Whilst the Marina Sub Committee does not guarantee a berth, they do try to meet all applications in order of waiting list as soon as a berth becomes available.

If you are a member of one of our kindred clubs or a visitor to our area and wish to book a berth, please complete and sign the visitors berthing request form available from our downloads page, click the link below.

All visitors must provide an Insurance Certificate of Currency with this request.

Yard & Hardstand

The Club provides excellent marina and yard facilities with access to a new travel lift that operates in Savages Wharf adjacent to our club. Competitive rates and storage charges are available.

Boats must be booked into our yard in advance, the allocation of space is then managed by the Club in accordance with set rules.

To apply for a yard space, download the Yard Request form, fill in the details and forward to the Club. Members are reminded that specific rules apply in the Yard, that ensure the safety and wellbeing of all.

Insurance and WorkCover insurance (where applicable) must be provided to the club with your application. Acknowledgment and acceptance of these rules is a requirement for access to the yard space.

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• 03 9393 2888
• 260 Nelson Place Williamstown VIC 3016
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