Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron is one of Victoria's oldest sailing clubs, with the first sailors and fishermen gathering informally on St Kilda Beach in the late 1870's. Inevitably, as sailors are want to do, discussions revolved around which yacht was the fastest, and so began the first yacht races on Port Phillip Bay. By 1876 this group of 20 friends had formed the St Kilda Sailing Club on the foreshore that today houses the historic RMYS clubhouse.

It's a club steeped in tradition that has moved with changing times in order to remain relevant. Permitting ladies into the lounge by 1940, though interestingly they were not permitted to be served liquor, this odd rule was abolished long ago. The club was granted its Royal prefix in 1924 by King George, with perhaps its biggest honour being the control centre for all yachting events for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Marina Development
Today, the RMYS is undertaking to build a state of the art marina within the St Kilda seawall, with 250 floating berths available upon completion. Berth holders will have access to wireless internet and three phase power, while there will also be provision for sewage pumpout. Vessel maintenance can be undertaken using the club's slipway, which can accommodate vessels up to 12 tonnes. There is space in the boat yard for up to 12 vessels in cradles.

Members of RMYS are active in racing and cruising regattas throughout the year, with Port Phillip Bay offering challenging sailing conditions within a whisper of the Melbourne CBD. The clubhouse is also a busy social hub with members and their guest utilising the club for dining and socialising. New members and visitors are always welcome for a drink at the bar, a meal or to join in the sailing. Drop in for a winters' waterfront lunch on Wednesdays, or a bar snack any day from 10.00 am onwards. Dinner is available on Wednesday and Friday evenings during Victorian (summer) daylight saving times.

Why don't you arrange a visit soon to check out the new developments at the Squadron, or to just take in the sunset over Port Phillip Bay?