Thursday Snippets, 21 August

By Rod Thomas | Published: August 20, 2025

Weather forecast looks OK for club Sailing on Saturday 21st and  VIODA Optimist Winter Coaching program and Laser group sessions on sunday 22nd afternoon.
Saturday afternoon trophy race at 2pm, with 1.15 Information session and Sign on at Albert Park Yacht Club.
The Sunday afternoon Victorian Optimist class coaching session is the second last of 12 sunday afternoon sessions across the Winter months, with 40 to 50 Optimists from across Melbourne and some regional clubs each week. Albert Sailing Club has enjoyed hosting the program on the water and in our clubrooms. Most of the juniors and their boats will return to their respective clubs. Some will stay on for short course racing and City Sail regatta in September. They will also be welcome to sail as Visitors in club races at ASC in the 2025/26 season. 

Upcoming
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Saturdays 30 August, 6 and 20 September annual Bill Hooper short race series with 2 or 3 short races in Northern half of Lake from 2pm each week. Ideal for those returning to sailing after a winter break.
Saturday 31st the annual VIODA Girls Camp will be in the ASC clubrooms from 4 – 9pm.

September 13 ASC Spring Working Bee from 9.30. There will be a group focussing on Club Boatyard and club training boats. Otherwise tidy up of clubrooms, windows, etc,

September 13/14 City Sail Women and Girls Coaching and Racing Regatta on Albert Park Lake hosted by Albert Park Yacht Club. Further information and entries on https://www.apyc.org.au/citysail.html. ASC members wanting to use an ASC club boat or needing other assistance can contact Jaemie through sailing@albertsc.org.au.

Rod Thomas
for committee and members
Albert Sailing Club

Photo : Junior Optimist fleet out on Albert Park Lake at a Coaching Session in July

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Thursday Snippets, 14 August

By Rod Thomas | Published: August 14, 2025

Another busy wintry weekend at Albert Sailing Club and  plenty of Upcoming Events. Club race on saturday 15th at 2pm, with 1.15 Information session at APYC, and ASC clubrooms open from 10am. VIODA Winter Optimist Class Coaching Program supported by ASC sunday 1 to 4pm.
Friday 15 August Clubrooms being hired by a member for a private function. No access upstairs that evening.

Upcoming
———–
Saturdays 30 August, 6 September, 20 September. ASC-APYC Bill Hooper Short Race Series Two or three short races each saturday from 2pm. A good way to start your Spring Sailing season. Visitors from other clubs welcome.

Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August annual Sail Mordi Regatta. Short course Regatta racing at Mordialloc Sailing Club.

September 13/14 City Sail Women and Girls Coaching and Racing Regatta on Albert Park Lake hosted by Albert Park Yacht Club. Coaching sessions am, followed by short course coached racing pm. Single handed and double handed classes (with option of female or male crews). Further information and entry on https://www.apyc.org.au/citysail.html.
Any ASC members wanting to use an ASC club boat or needing other assistance can contact Rod or Jaemie through sailing@albertsc.org.au.

Saturday 29th and Sunday 21st Ice Breaker Regatta hosted by Bendigo Yacht Club on Lake Eppalock.

Saturday 11 October Albert Sailing Club Trivia Night in our clubrooms. Pencil it in your dairy. Details to follow.

Rod Thomas
for committee and members
Albert Sailing Club

Photo : Albert Park’s Point Restaurant is undergoing a rebuild after the fire and vandalism when vacant earlier in the year. The plans are for completion March 2026.

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Thursday Snippets, 7 August

By Rod Thomas | Published: August 6, 2025

Club Sailing on Saturday 9th August. At 1pm Trophy Presentations for the ASC-APYC Summer Season in the Albert Sailing Club clubrooms will precede the Information session at 1.15 for the for the 1pm Winter Championship Race. Sunday 10th August Week 1 of 4 week VIODA Block 3 Winter Coaching Program for Optimist sailors from Victorian clubs 1 – 4 pm.

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As outlined in Thursday Snippets of 31 July the Victorian Government is planning to introduce into Parliament in August the Australian Grand Prix Amendment Bill.
An overview of what is proposed is on Engage Victoria website page.

There is potentially significant impact upon the operations of Albert Sailing Club and other sporting clubs in the park with proposal for the 7 day lockdown period around the Grand Prix extended to up to 21 days under the control of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. For ASC members and visitors this would likely mean 21 days where little or no access to our ASC clubrooms and no sailing or boating on the Lake.

Two weeks concluding on 11 August has been allowed for online feedback on proposals  from organisations and individuals.
Club members and friends of our club are encouraged to read what is proposed and provide online feedback by 11 August.
Club flag officers have engaged with other groups, including the AGPC.  Our feedback provided to the Engage website form is enclosed on https://albertsc.org.au/index.php/about-1/snippets
Feedback on the 21 day race period lock down is the key item of feedback.
We have also sent an email direct to the CEO of AGPC seeking continued access and sailing on the Lake for ASC members and visitors during the period between the 7 day race period and the extended 21 day lockdown period on the basis that most of the Grand Prix construction activity is in other areas of the Park well away from the Sailing Precinct. We will followup further on this.
For online feedback to the Engage site you could use  text in our response and/or put in your own views.
*******************************************************************************

Upcoming
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Thursday 7 August  Water in clubrooms and yard will be turned off by South East Water from 09:00 AM to 4.00PM
Friday 15 August   Clubrooms being hired by a member on Friday 15th for a private function.  No access upstairs on that evening.

September 13/14    City Sail Women and Girls Coaching and Racing Regatta on Albert Park Lake hosted by Albert Park Yacht Club. Morning coaching sessions, followed by short course coached racing in the afternoons. Social BBQ on Saturday after racing. Entries for single handed and double handed classes (with option of female or male crews).  Albert Sailing Club women and girls have sailed in previous years and recommended the event as a good start to the Spring sailing season. Further information and entries on https://www.apyc.org.au/citysail.html.
Any ASC members wanting to use an ASC club boat or needing other assistance can contact Rod or Jaemie through sailing@albertsc.org.au.

Rod Thomas
for committee and members
Albert Sailing Club

Photo A couple of Laser4.7 Juniors and Raf Heale’s 420 out training last sunday afternoon. Out again next two sundays.

 

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Thursday Snippets, 31 July

By Rod Thomas | Published: July 30, 2025

On Saturday 2nd August there is a club sailing day with club open from 10.30 and Winter Handicap race at 2pm. Sign on and Information Session at 1.15 at APYC. Sunday  3rd last week of the Block 2 VIODA Winter Coaching Program 1 to 4pm, with VIODA Buy, Swap and sell onshore from 12.30. 

On 9th August at 1pm Trophy Presentations for the ASC-APYC Summer Season in the Albert Sailing Club clubrooms will precede the Information session for the afternoon race at 1.15.


There was media and Government publicity on 29 July on the Victorian Government’s Australian Grands Prix Amendment Bill. There is a website which provides Overview details and a brief Survey for public Feedback.

https://engage.vic.gov.au/the-australian-grands-prix-amendment-bill-2025

Key Overview points are :
• Extend the race period for AGPC operational control of the Park from 7 days to up to 21 days. More partial Park closures in the extra two weeks with (unspecified) options for public and tenant access to Albert Park during this time.
• increase the annual payment to Parks Victoria (PV) for pre and post Grand Prix maintenance from $100k to $200k.
• enable the AGPC to host non-motor sport events. Vague examples : museum activations and exhibitions. No current AGPC plans (???)

Just two weeks has been allowed for Feedback from the general public and organisations. Feedback is not being sought on the Bill itself, rather only its implementation.
The Albert Sailing Club committee is preparing a submission to send to the coordinating Government Department and AGPC, and will liaise with other clubs in the Park on this.

There is to be a rally of local groups at 11am outside the Pit Buildings on Saturday 2 August to protest against Grand Prix related changes in the Park including: removal of trees, extension of Pit Buildings and other actions effecting community sports clubs. Club members have been invited and are most welcome to attend.

The 2026 F! Grand Prix is programmed for 5 – 8 March. The proposed 21 day Extended AGPC period would be from 12.01 am on Tuesday 24th to Monday 16 March.

Upcoming 
Saturday 16th August 6:00pm  Trivia Night Fundraiser for Lake ALIVE group in the Port Lounge, Albert Park Yacht Club. More details on Lake Alive Facebook. Register Interest/Book a Table atlakealive2025@gmail.com
There is early planning  for Albert Sailing Club Trivia Night in early October. Details to come.

Rod Thomas
for Albert Sailing Club committee and members

 

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Thursday Snippets, 24 July

By Rod Thomas | Published: July 23, 2025

Winter Season sailing returns on the 26/27 July weekend.
* On Saturday 26th club sailing day with club open from 10.30 and Winter Championship race at 2pm. Sign on and Information Session at 1.15 at Albert Sailing Club.
* Saturday 27th the Block 2 VIODA Winter Coaching Program at Albert Sailing Club resumes 1 to 4pm. VIODA are having some Christmas in July celebrations including a session for parents on gear and equipment for junior sailors.
This week’s photo is of boats in front of our old Albert Sailing Club clubrooms in 1962 taken from a recent Lake Alive Facebook post. We are always interested in old photos of sailing on the Lake.

Rod Thomas
for Members of Albert Sailing Club
sailing@albertsc.org.au

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Thursday Snippets, 10 July

By Rod Thomas | Published: July 9, 2025

Winter Season sailing on saturday 12 July with club open from 10am and Winter Handicap Series race from 2pm. Sign On and 1.15 Information session at APYC. The ASC duty crew will be lead by Helen Faulkner, with two club RHIB crews.
Upcoming
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* July ASC committee meeting tuesday 15 July at 7.30 in our clubrooms. All members welcome.
* Wintersail junior Coaching and Racing Regatta 18 – 20 July on Albert Park Lake hosted by APYC. No club racing that weekend.
* Saturday 26 July Winter Season sailing with Winter Championship Race at 2pm.

On the 5/6 July weekend the Victorian Impulse Association had a training weekend at Cairn Curran in central Victoria. A number of Impulse sailors from the Albert Park Lake fleet sailed and reportedly had a good weekend, including ASC’s Mike Horvath. Photo attached

Rod Thomas
for committee and members
Albert Sailing Club

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Thursday Snippets, 3 July

By Rod Thomas | Published: July 2, 2025

Ticked over into the new financial year with club race on saturday 5th and a Hall Hire on sunday 6th with exclusive use of upstairs clubrooms. More welcome rain to continue bringing the Lake water level up.
* The club sailing day on 5th has Winter Series race from 2pm, with club open from 10.30. Information session at 1.15 and sign on at Albert Sailing Club.
* On Sunday 6th the clubrooms are being hired for a private function on Sunday and so there will be no access upstairs or to the galley at all on that day. Members are able to access changerooms and the boatyard. If accessing the boatyard lock the gate behind you when you enter and leave as external people will be accessing the toilets downstairs and so the wire gate should remain locked at all times.
* Volunteers needed for Albert Park Sailability group.
If you’re free on Monday mornings from 10am to 1pm and would like to join a group of volunteers who take disabled people sailing, then please message APYC club member John Fairfax on 0493 771057.
You don’t need to be a member of a club to participate. Sailing skills are desirable but not necessary, we can teach you to sail the Hansa sailing dinghies that are designed especially for disabled sailors.
The group meet at the boat shed between Albert Park YC and Albert SC next to the cafe.

Rod Thomas
for committee and members
Albert Sailing Club

Photo : Start Boat crew at Top of Lake Regatta
Plenty of other photos on Albert Sailing Cub Facebook

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Thursday Snippets, 26 June

By Rod Thomas | Published: June 25, 2025

Another full weekend of sailing with Winter Season Handicap race on saturday 28th from 2pm and on sunday 29th afternoon the last week of VIODA Optimist Winter Coaching program.
For the saturday race sign on and 1.15 Information session at APYC.
* Albert Sailing Club conducted another successful Top of the Lake Regatta on the 21/22 June weekend with good racing in mild winter weather, light to moderate winds. Seventy entries across the weekend. The results have been posted under Race Results – All on the Sailing – Race Results tab of www.albertsc.org.au. The senior (adult) Top of the Lake overall winner was the Impulse class winner Jonathon Pulham. The junior Top of the Lake winner the Optimist class winner Acklin S. Their photos with Race Office Cindy and presenting flag office Rod are attached. More photos from the Regatta will be published on our Albert Sailing Club Facebook in the coming week.
* On the first sunday of June the VIODA Team Racing Championship was sailed from Albert, with 30 junior Optimist sailors, coaches and families involved. Check out the video of one of the short races posted on Albert Sailing Club You Tube. The teamwork and use of the Rules of Sailing are well displayed.

Upcoming
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18-20 July  Albert Park Yacht Club’s WinterSail 3-day coaching & racing regatta on Albert Park Lake for junior and youth sailors.  Green Fleet (learning to race) to advanced groupings, under the guidance of some of Victoria’s best coaches of junior sailors. Details and Entry link on https://www.apyc.org.au/wintersail.html

Rod Thomas
for Albert Sailing Club

sailing@albertsc.org.au

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Thursday Snippets, 19 June

By Rod Thomas | Published: June 18, 2025

Saturday 21 June (pm) and Sunday 22 June for Albert Sailing Club’s annual Top of the Lake Regatta. Online entries by 11pm on Thursday 19th. Late Entries  on morning of 21st and 22nd in clubrooms (not preferred). ASC and APYC members need to complete online entry to sail saturday afternoon , and for sunday if sailing the full regatta. Parents of juniors need to present a completed Junior indemnity form to the Registration desk on top of clubrooms stairs by 12 noon on saturday.

* The Regatta has multiple short course races from 1.15 saturday and sunday from 10.30 to mid afternoon, with the Information session on saturday in the ASC clubrooms at 12.30. Join us for the BBQ and drinks after racing in our clubrooms on saturday. Regatta Entry link and details on www.albertsc.org,au.

* Regatta Volunteers: It would be great if we could have a few more to assist with the regatta: on-shore cleaning the decking/ramp in the morning of both days, and then assisting sailors launching and retrieving boats. If you can assist, primarily before racing starts (approx 12.45 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday, and then later in the afternoon on Saturday and from around 12 p.m. on Sunday) please email Cindy on admin@albertsc.org.au

* There was a small improvement in the Lake water level with some rain in early June, and as at wednesday 18 June was 32 cms below the regular full level. The water level continues to require partially raised centreboards and a drop down to water level for boats launched from foreshore decking. There is also likely to be some floating weed after a recent lake harvest, with the extent in the sailing area dependent upon wind direction in the days preceding the Regatta.

* Thanks to all who assisted with the Regatta working bee last Saturday. The club looks clean, tidy and welcoming and reflects positively on our club.

* Congratulations to the winners of Albert Sailing Club Perpetual trophies for the 2024/25 season., presented at the Annual General Meeting in May. A listing of winners is under the Club Champions subtab of the Sailing tab on www.albertsc.org.au, with photos on Albert Sailing Club Facebook.

Rod Thomas
For Committee and Members
Albert Sailing Club

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Thursday Snippets, 12 June

By Rod Thomas | Published: June 11, 2025

Thursday Snippets, 29 May
This weekend 14th & 15th June sailing from Albert Sailing Club both days. Then ASC’s Top of the Lake Regatta on Albert Park Lake 21/22 June. Time to get entries in.
* Winter Handicap race on 14th at 2pm, with Sign On and Information Session at 1.15 at APYC clubrooms.
* VIODA winter coaching program Block 2 on sunday afternoons from Sunday 15th. Entry to Albert Park Reserve including Aquatic Drive behind Albert Sailing Club will be closed from 7am to 11am.on Sunday for an Athletics event on the road in the Park.
* Regatta Working Bee from 10 a.m. Saturday 14th primary jobs: clearing leaves/weeds from around the clubhouse, clubhouse cleaning (window sills, front and back stairs, chairs on deck etc), general tidying up of clubhouse and surrounds. Also a couple of taller people to assist in putting some screening shade-cloth along the wire gates in the downstairs passageway. If possible, bring leaf blowers, rakes, rubber gloves etc. Morning tea provided.

Upcoming
———–
Saturday 21 June (pm) and Sunday 22 June Albert Sailing Club’s annual Top of the Lake Regatta. Multiple short course races saturday from 1.15 and sunday from 10.30 to mid afternoon. Details and Entry link are available on www.albertsc.org,au. Online entry by 11pm 19 June. Late entry with late entry fee am on 22 or 23 June. ASC and APYC members need to complete online registration to sail saturday afternoon , and sunday if sailing the full regatta.

Are you an amateur photographer? If you are able to spare a few hours, go out in one of the rescue boats and take some close-up single-boat photos as well as fleet photos, please let Cindy know via admin@albertsc.org.au.

* The water level of Albert Park Lake has improved a little after long weekend rains, but continues to be down and lower than we would ideally like. Sailing in our Winter Season has been continuing weekly with partially raised centreboards and a drop down to water level for boats launched from foreshore decking.

Rod Thomas 
for ASC members

sailing@albertsc.org.au

 

 

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