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
Thursday Snippets, 7 August
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.
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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.