This coming Queen’s birthday weekend, the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron celebrates the 30^th running of the Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta.  This is an incredible effort and a real milestone to be celebrated by all our members and competitors.  A small but dedicated team are bringing it all together with 24 entries comprising approximately 130 crew from all skill levels.   An S80 Division has been announced with six entries in the S80 fleet.

We will be joined by teams from Queensland, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and of course Victoria.  Many of the competitors are returning to be part of this Regatta again after the covid hiatus.   We can’t wait to see them and host another great weekend.  A big shout out to our generous boat owners who have handed over their yachts to interstate and local competitors.  Welcome back to all who have participated previously and had the time of their lives.

RMYS members are encouraged to get behind the Regatta and support all the volunteers and participants.  Come on down and watch the event from the Club or on the water.  Ross Flood has done an amazing job organising the volunteers for the regatta. There are still a few onshore opportunities to volunteer over the weekend. If you are interested and available please email volunteers@rmys.com.au.

We have a few boat owners who have kindly volunteered to take spectators out to watch on-water. All family and friends are welcome. If you would like to volunteer your boat to take out guests, or you would like to go out on a boat to watch the regatta please email Jolene by 5pm Friday 10^th June at jolene.elberth@gmail.com.

Come on down to the Club on Friday night when most of the teams will gather for the briefing at 7 pm.  The founder of the AWKR, former Commodore Gai Clough, will be represented by her family and an announcement regarding a major trophy will be made.  Gai’s daughter Sarah will be helming Club sail training S80 Georgia for this 30th Regatta.

The CMB Legal Boat Buoys party will take place after sailing on Sunday which is another opportunity to soak up and enjoy the atmosphere.  This will be a real party with our very own Titanics playing from 5 pm and tasty paella available to buy. Presentations on Monday afternoon will be the highlight of a tough weekend of sailing.  Come on down, meet the winners and congratulate all the participants.

This event is really exciting, a credit to everyone who has been involved in making it happen over the journey, a feather in the cap of all the competitors, volunteers, boat owners and supporters over the years.  We hope you will join us in recognising the importance of this event to the Club, and to women’s sailing generally.