Ballaarat Yacht Club

Purpose

The Ballarat Yacht Club, located on the picturesque Lake Wendouree, serves as a hub for both sailing enthusiasts and the local community. The club’s purpose is to promote the sport of sailing and on water activity, offering a range of activities and events that cater to sailors of all ages and skill levels. From competitive racing to leisurely sailing, the club provides a welcoming environment for members to enjoy the water and improve their sailing and on-water skills. Additionally, the club hosts a variety of social events, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among its members.

Sailing, training and Socializing

The Ballaarat Yacht Club is a family oriented club with the sport of sailing often enjoyed by generations.

The Ballaarat Yacht club conducts its Sailing Season from October through May, with a ‘Winter Series’ regularly held in June. Racing most often starts at 2pm.

Junior sail training/coaching is currently conducted Friday nights and Saturday mornings, but the Juniors can often be seen enjoying a recreational sail after school over summer.

Clubhouse - a brief history

The Ballarat Yacht Club was founded on the 29 May in 1877

The clubhouse was originally located further east towards View Point. Like many buildings on the lake at this time was in a poor state and considered an eyesore. In July 1934 the BYC resolved to build a new ‘shed’ as part of the Centenary of Victoria celebrations, but this came to nothing.
In 1938 there was another scheme to raise the necessary funds for a new building. Plans were forwarded to the City Council but no action took place. 

Old Yacht Club 1950

It was not until 1956 – the year the Olympic Games came to Ballarat – that real progress was achieved. The club voted to commit 3,500 pounds toward the purchase of building materials and members agreed to provide more than twice that amount in voluntary labour in order to build the clubhouse. Working Bees, bottle drives, raffles and sweeps were used to provide the necessary funding and when it came to the actual construction of the clubhouse, scores of members were enlisted to provide voluntary manpower.

In May 1957, construction commenced on the current clubhouse, with the official opening held 18 October 1958.

Throughout the 1960’s the club members raised funds to improve the clubhouse with additions allowing for increased change areas and amenities, the addition of the race officials room (upper floor) and the addition of a viewing lounge.

 
Lake frontage view of 'New' Ballarat Yacht Club - 1958

In the 1970s improvements included increased deck area and introduction of a bar, along with significant internal renovations. General Refurbishments continued through the 1980’s. There were further works to enhance the southern face of the building in the 1990’s which included the current entry and addition of the public toilets..

The Club has benefitted from the contribution of its members with significant fundraising efforts and volunteering.

In the 2000’s the club was impacted by drought – with Lake Wendouree dry for six years. Understandably, this impacted on memberships. The club is still working to build its membership base and it is pleasing that new generations are discovering the pleasure of sailing.

2002

Throughout 2010’s the club built the ‘Commodores Lounge’ dedicating a (small) space for members to gather without being impacted by the operations of the Café. There were also has improvements/upgrades to the jetty and boat moorings/pens, a further extension to the deck and replacement of the fence enclosing the to the boatyard (storage and rigging area)

As we move towards the clubs 150th year in 2027, we are  working towards further improvements to the clubhouse.