Rosebud Yacht Club

Our History

Rosebud

In 1851 the schooner “Rosebud” was caught inshore by a strong westerly gale and was wrecked after running onto a sandbank off the beach. Planks and all manner of material and fabrics were washed up on the beach and were a godsend for the struggling local fisherfolk. The wreck had a most stimulating effect on the whole district. People would arrange to meet at “the Rosebud” and that’s how the settlement got its name.

In the 1940’s and 50’s Rosebud was the scene of many large regattas including races from Melbourne down to the Mornington Peninsula. The Rosebud Yacht Club, as we know it, was formally established in 1969. A group of friends wanted to sail together, and so they gathered at a general meeting in the youth hall adjacent to the Sound Shell to thrash out a constitution.

Over the years we have held many large regattas including the first Hobie State Titles, Paper Tiger Championships with over 70 entries and the once-popular Frankston to Rosebud Marathon. Since then we have hosted many successful titles for both monohull and catamaran classes – everything ranging from Corsairs through to A classes, Taipans and F16 and F18.

Recently we have also started boosting our competition through engaging with other local clubs. We now hold the coveted ‘Capel Sound Invitational’ a few days after Christmas which sees boats entering from clubs all around the bay to sail on the azure waters out the front of the club in what is the biggest dedicated single-reach event in Australia. Boats of all classes and sizes come and compete in this event which not only has club pride on the line, but also individual immortality.

In those days, the racing control tower was a relocated tank stand with a clad structure on top and an old caravan provided tea and coffee. The change room was a plastic screen behind the “Tower” and the toilets were near where the Sound Shell now stands. The original Clubhouse in its current location was officially opened in 1979 – Opening day that year saw 91 boats sailing while the Shire Band played lively music. Rosebud Yacht Club became incorporated in 1984.

The Southern Peninsula Gazette, Wed. 19 April 1978- page 3</p>
<p>Clear sailing RYC for RYC?</p>
<p>The RYC premises. hardly an advertisement for the foreshore.<br />
The planned extension could improve the view.</p>
<p>Confident that nobody will suffer unduly, Flinders counsellors have determined to issue a permit to Rosebud Yacht Club to extend its premises - contrary to the recommendation of the Shire engineer, Mr P.S. Parkinson.</p>
<p>The determination was carried on motion by Cr Jennings, seconded by Cr Macdonald.</p>
<p>The club first sought a permit for extensions in 1971, but after winning an appeal against council's refusal to grant one, failed to proceed with the development within the statutory two-year period, and the permit lapsed.</p>
<p>The yacht club's latest application specified construction of a building comprising kitchen, change rooms, first aid room and toilets, with a control tower and observation deck above and framed boat storage racks below.<br />
Plans have been endorsed by the Port Phillip Authority, the Department of Crown Lands and Survey and the Rosebud Foreshore Committee of Management.<br />
As well, a recommendation in the recently-released Port Phillip Coast Study report is that the RYC premises be "maintained and upgraded".<br />
On February 8 this year, the club was instructed by council to advertise its intentions so that objections against them could be lodged.<br />
Two objections were received from residents of Sixth Avenue, Rosebud.<br />
The objectors complained that extensions to the yacht club would cause a variety of problems, especially during the summer, including the choking of scarce car parks with boat trailers, and aggravation of the already congested area occupied by the Memorial Hall, youth club, village green and carnival area.<br />
The engineer, in his report, said it would be<br />
"premature" to consider the development of permanent facilities for<br />
"sailing in the area" which would represent a constraint on future foreshore planning involving existing nearby facilities or future foreshore reclamation.<br />
Suitability<br />
-It is clear the existing site has been selected for development principally on the basis that it is available, rather than as a result of a study to determine its overall suitability with regard to the needs of the sailing club and competing uses of adjacent lands," Mr Parkinson said.<br />
"Alternative sites for the development are available on the foreshore reserve where the disadvantages associated with the use of the present site would be either minimised or avoided, and a detailed study should be undertaken to determine the most suitable location.<br />
"Such a study should not be constrained by the location of other temporary uses on the foreshore, but should seek a solution best suited to the long-term development of this important foreshore reserve."<br />
The engineer continued: "A preliminary survey has been carried out by my department and has revealed that there are a number of alternative sites that would be more suitable than the Rosebud Yacht Club's existing site.</p>
<p>"But before a final decision is taken, an investigatory committee comprising representatives of the Rosebud Foreshore Committee of Management and the council should be formed to investigate and determine the most appropriate location for the Rosebud Yacht Club."<br />
Mr Parkinson suggested the investigation span from Jetty Road to Chinaman's Creek.<br />
None of the alternative sites referred to in the Engineer's report was listed.<br />
Mr Parkinson later declined to name any of the sites, saying he thought it was irrelevant because council had not accepted his advice.

Rosebud Yacht Club has always welcomed the entire family joining in – in fact, we now have the grandchildren of original members beginning to sail. We have a strong focus on sailor development, and this season will be implementing our brand-new Junior Sailing Program, encouraging safety in the water and having fun on boats.

Find out more Today!

Whether you're a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, our passionate members and experienced instructors are here to support you. Don't miss out on the joy and excitement of sailing – join us at RoYC

Call 0439 611 994

Phone

0439 611 994

Address

990 Point Nepean Rd, Rosebud VIC 3939

Email

info.rosebudyachtclub@gmail.com