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Royal Perth Yacht Club

Club Timeline

Club Timeline

  • 2017
    July 27
    152nd AGM – Mark Hansen elected as Commodore
    Mark Hansen was elected as Commodore during the 152nd AGM.
  •  
    October 14
    RPYC 153rd Opening Day Regatta
    The 153rd Opening Day Regatta of RPYC took place.
  •  
    January 1
    Club Member Mathew Wearn won the Australian National Laser Championship
    Mathew Wearn won the Australian National Laser Championship.
  •  
    February 1
    Club Member Sylvia Foulkes inducted as the first Associate Member to attain 50 year Status
    Sylvia Foulkes was inducted as the first Associate Member to attain 50-year status.
  •  
    March 8
    50th Anniversary of the longest serving Associate Member Sylvia Foulkes – presented on International Women’s Day
    Sylvia Foulkes celebrated her 50th Anniversary as the longest serving Associate Member, presented on International Women’s Day.
  •  
    May 11
    Club Member Barry Johnson awarded Official of the Year at WA Sailing Awards
  • 2016
    January 1
    The Club Knocker White Snooker Tournament resumes after a 17-year break
  •  
    January 4
    Club Member Alan Tough awarded OAM
    Alan Tough was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM).
  •  
    January 19
    30th Anniversary of the Opening of the RPYC Fremantle Annexe
  •  
    March 4
    Blue Water Medal “Without Date” Awarded to Jon Sanders by the Cruising Club of America
  •  
    July 28
    151st AGM
    The 151st Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held.
  •  
    September 7
    Colin Harrison and Russell Boarden win Gold in Paralympic Sailing in Rio
  •  
    October 8
    RPYC 152nd Opening Day Regatta
    The RPYC 152nd Opening Day Regatta was held.
  •  
    October 8
    The new Rescue/Start Boat ORPYC launched on Opening Day
  •  
    December 1
    Jon Sanders departs Carnarvon for his 10th Circumnavigation of the Globe
  • 2015
    November 8
    50th Anniversary of the birth of the Pelican Trainer
    The 50th Anniversary of the birth of the Pelican Trainer was celebrated.
  •  
    January 5
    Club Member Harmon McAullay won the Australian National Laser Championship (Radial Silver Fleet)
  •  
    January 13
    Club Member Mathew Wearn won the Australian National Laser Championship (Std Fleet)
  •  
    January 31
    The Sesquicentenary Cup Regatta was won by Andrew Hosen sailing Siroco
    Andrew Hosen won the Sesquicentenary Cup Regatta sailing "Siroco".
  •  
    February 13
    RPYC Sesquicentenary Heritage Display held at the West Australian State Library
  •  
    April 17
    150th Anniversary Albany Race and the Anzac Commemorative Ocean Race
    The 150th Anniversary Albany Race and the Anzac Commemorative Ocean Race took place.
  •  
    May 30
    RPYC Sesquicentenary Grand Ball was held at Government House Perth
  •  
    June 1
    60th Anniversary of the production of the 1st Newsletter
  •  
    July 30
    Club Member Jon Readhead awarded Honorary Life Membership to RPYC at 2015 AGM
    Jon Readhead was awarded Honorary Life Membership to RPYC at the 2015 AGM.
  •  
    July 30
    Royal Perth Yacht Club’s 150th Sesquicentenial Annual General Meeting
    The 150th Sesquicentenial Annual General Meeting of RPYC took place.
  •  
    October 10
    RPYC 151st Opening Day Regatta
    The 151st Opening Day Regatta was held at RPYC.
  • 2014
    March 16
    Club Member Grantham Kitto gained 1st place in the Etchell State Championships
    Grantham Kitto secured 1st place in the Etchell State Championships.
  •  
    April 1
    Club Member Graeme Martin gained 1st place in the Hansa Australian National Championships
    Graeme Martin won 1st place in the Hansa Australian National Championships.
  •  
    July 31
    AGM
    The AGM was held on July 31, 2014.
  •  
    December 1
    RPYC History – “Sailing on the Swan” launched December 2014
    The book “Sailing on the Swan” was launched, chronicling RPYC history.
  •  
    January 1
    Club Member Mathew Wearn gained 1st place in the Australian Laser Open Championships
    Mathew Wearn secured 1st place in the Australian Laser Open Championships.
  •  
    February 9
    Club Member Graeme Martin gained 1st Place in the Hansa Liberty State Championships
    Graeme Martin won 1st place in the Hansa Liberty State Championships.
  •  
    March 8
    Club Member Kylie Forth inducted into the 2014 West Australian Women’s Hall of Fame
    Kylie Forth was inducted into the 2014 West Australian Women’s Hall of Fame.
  • 2013
    January 17
    50th Anniversary of Twilight Racing at Royal Perth Yacht Club
  •  
    May 3
    “Mercedes” R3 turns 100 years old
  •  
    July 25
    At the 148th AGM, Club Member Graham White awarded Honorary Life Membership
  •  
    October 1
    149th Opening Day Regatta
    The 149th Opening Day Regatta took place at Royal Perth Yacht Club.
  •  
    December 5
    60th Anniversary of the Opening of the RPYC Club House Crawley
    The 60th Anniversary of the Opening of the RPYC Club House Crawley was celebrated.
  • 2012
    March 30
    50th running of the Naturaliste and return Ocean Race won by “Just Cruisin” sailed by Tony Carter
  •  
    July 26
    At the 147th AGM, A Time Capsule was sealed, to be opened at the AGM in 2037
  •  
    October 12
    Unveiling of the Australia 11 Mast on the 30th Anniversary of winning the Americas Cup – Opening Day 2013
  •  
    October 13
    148th Opening Day Regatta
    The 148th Opening Day Regatta took place at Royal Perth Yacht Club.
  •  
    November 1
    “Canobie” R97 turns 100 years old
  •  
    November 11
    Club Member Graham White awarded WA Seniors Intergenerational Award
     
  • 2011
    January 20
    Access Class and Asia Pacific Championships
  •  
    January 24
    IFDS – Homerous World Blind Match Racing Championships
  •  
    January 26
    Australia Day Awards – Commodore John Flower OAM, Barry Court AM
    Commodore John Flower OAM and Barry Court AM received Australia Day Awards.
  •  
    July 28
    At the 146th AGM, Club Member John Rosser was awarded Honorary Life Membership
  •  
    October 8
    147th Opening Day Regatta
    The 147th Opening Day Regatta of RPYC took place.
  •  
    October 27
    “Thera” R11 Turns 100 years old
    “Thera” R11 turned 100 years old.
  •  
    December 3
    Start of the Perth 2011 ISAF World Sailing Championships
    Perth 2011 ISAF World Sailing Championships commenced.
  • 2010
    May 16
    Clubs WA Awards 2010 – Award of Excellence in the Category of Outstanding Community Service
  •  
    May 24
    2010 WA Yachting Awards
    Awards presented to Club Members Torvar Mirsky, Annette Morris, Nia Jerwood, Diego Figueroa, Douglas Campbell, and Genevieve Wickham.
  •  
    July 29
    145th AGM
    The 145th Annual General Meeting of RPYC was held.
  •  
    July 29
    Club Members Jamie Dunross and Steven Thomas awarded Corinthian Membership at the 2010 AGM
    Jamie Dunross and Steven Thomas awarded Corinthian Membership at the 145th AGM.
  •  
    October 1
    146th Opening Day Regatta
    The 146th Opening Day Regatta of RPYC took place.
  • 2009
    January 1
    Club Junior Member Douglas Campbell finished 1st in the 2009 Optimist National Championships
  •  
    April 30
    John Longley inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame
  •  
    May 28
    Queens Birthday Honours awarded to Club Members Graham Owens OAM and Jack Bendat AM
    Graham Owens OAM and Jack Bendat AM received Queens Birthday Honours.
  •  
    July 30
    144th AGM
    The 144th Annual General Meeting of RPYC was held.
  •  
    August 8
    Olympic Gold for Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson at the Beijing Olympics – Womens 470’s
  •  
    October 10
    145th Opening Day Regatta
    The 145th Opening Day Regatta of RPYC took place.
  • 2008
    January 25
    Gold, Silver and Bronze in Beijing
    Club Members achieved Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at the Beijing Olympics.
  •  
    July 31
    143rd AGM
    The 143rd Annual General Meeting of RPYC was held.
  •  
    October 11
    144th Opening Day Regatta
  • 2007
    July 26
    142nd AGM
    The 142nd Annual General Meeting of RPYC was held.
  •  
    October 13
    143rd Opening Day Regatta
    The 143rd Opening Day Regatta of RPYC took place.
  •  
    October 13
    Club Member Elise Rechichi awarded Corinthian Membership to RPYC Hall of Fame
  • 2006
    January 30
    IFDS – (International Federation of Disabled Sailors) World Championships
    The IFDS World Championships took place.
  • 2000
    January 26
    Para Olympic Gold in Sydney
    Club members won Para Olympic Gold in Sydney.
  • 1990
    November 30
    HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh visits RPYC for Royal Charter Centenary
  • 1988
    January 26
    Jon Sanders triple circumnavigation of the world
    Jon Sanders completed a triple circumnavigation of the world.
  • 1987
    January 22
    Captain Juniors becomes Captain Dinghies
    In the 1987-88 sailing season, the title of Captain Juniors was relinquished and John Bayliss was elected Captain Dinghies. Bill Robertson held the office in the previous season as Captain Juniors.
  •  
    January 23
    America’s Cup Regatta of Fremantle
  •  
    February 26
    HRH, The Princess Anne visits RPYC during America’s Cup Racing
  • 1986
    February 13
    Visit to RPYC by HE Miss Agatha Barbara, President of the Republic of Malta
    HE Miss Agatha Barbara, President of the Republic of Malta, visited RPYC.
  • 1985
    January 19
    Opening of RPYC Annex Marina at Fremantle
    The RPYC Annex Marina at Fremantle was officially opened.
  •  
    December 15
    Visit to RPYC by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
  • 1982
    January 20
    Jon Sanders double circumnavigation of the world
     
  •  
    January 28
    First Australia Cup Regatta
     
  • 1979
    January 17
    Parmelia Race
     
  • 1977
    July 14
    Launching of ORPYC
    RPYC’S First rescue boat
  • 1968
    October 6
    Opening of Junior Club House
    Past Commodore Bennett opened our first Junior Club House
  •  
    January 1
    John Fitzhardinge
    In the inaugural Albany race in 1968, John Fitzhardinge set a race record that stood for 25 years, defying bigger yachts and technology until 1993.
  •  
    January 17
    Albany Ocean Race
    The inaugural Albany Ocean Race was held in the 1967-68 sailing season. The first winner was JB Fitzhardinge in “Theanna”
  • 1967
    January 19
    Inaugural Achille Lauro Ocean Race
    The first Achille Lauro Ocean Race was sailed in the 1967-68 sailing season. The first winner was J Muhling in “Hydroconic”
  • 1962
    January 24
    Inaugural Carnival of the Swan
    The Inaugural Carnival of the Swan was held in the year of the Commonwealth Games
  • 1960
    March 5
    Inaugural P&O Iberia Ocean Race
    The first Iberia Race was sailed on 5th March 1960. The results were 1st and fastest Bill Lucas in “Panna muna” followed by Sandra with “Eun-na-mara third”.
  • 1957
    January 25
    Lord and Lady Teynham
    Visitors to RPYC. Lord Teynham was Commodore of The House of Lords Yacht Club
  • 1956
    January 9
    RPYC’s First Olympic Medal
    Roly Tasker won silver at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 sailing “Falcon 1V” – SEE HALL OF FAME
  •  
    January 30
    HRH, The Duke and Dutchess of Gloucester
    Visitors to the Club
  •  
    April 14
    Lord and Lady Mountbatten
    Visitors to the Club
  • 1955
    January 10
    The Office of Commodore
    General Committee deemed that because of the Commodores work load, future appointment to the rank of Commodore would be for a period of 2 years only.
  •  
    March 11
    Inaugural Cape Naturalist and Return Ocean Race
    The first Naturaliste Race was started by His Excelency Sir Charles Gairdner at 11 am, 11 March 1955. The first winner was Len Randall sailing “Rugged”
  •  
    November 11
    The development of the Pelican
    Inaugural mention of the design of a new Club trainer, the Pelican, was mentioned in General Committee Minutes in November 1955
  • 1953
    January 1
    Paying off Pennant
    The Paying off Pennant, with 88 red and white stripes, one for each year of the Club’s existence was streamed from the mast head of the Old Club on 10th December 1953.
  • 1952
    January 1
    1952-1953 Sailing Season at Crawley
    The 1953 Sailing Season was open at the new Crawley Premises by The Governor H.E. Lt Gen, Sir Charles Gairdner K.C.M.G K.C.V.O K.B.E C.B The total membership at that time was 472 members.
  • 1949
    January 1
    Ocean Racing Era
    The great ocean racing era at Royal Perth began when three Western Australian sailing identities. Bill Lucas, John Fitzhardinge and Stuart Ward, sailed Corsair, the largest cruising yacht in the State at the time, to Sydney for the famous Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
  • 1948
    January 26
    Inaugural Australia Day Regatta
    Australia Day Regatta and Aquatic Carnival held in Crawley Bay 26 January 1948
  • 1939
    January 1
    American Naval Seaplane Base and a lease of 21 years
    Several years before the war, the possibility of moving to Crawley had been actively canvassed. In 1939 the proposed site became an American Naval Seaplane Base for the duration of the war. After the war, the Club actively pressured all Government and local authorities to gain a lease on the…
  • 1931
    May 26
    Lord and Lady Baden-Powell
    Visitors to the Club
  • 1930
    January 1
    Amy Johnson visits RPYC
    Miss Amy Johnson (1903-1941) Aviatrix visits Royal Perth Yacht Club at William Street in June 1930 and is welcomed by Commodore Winterbottom
  •  
    January 1
    Club House Extensions
    As early as 1910, Club House extensions were planned. Due to the Great War plans were put on hold and in 1923, plans were re submitted but it was not untill 1930 when full architectural plans were submitted and passed and the extensions built. This process took nearly 20 years.
  • 1924
    January 1
    A proposal to shift the Club down river
    It was proposed that the Club should shift to an area between the Spring and the brewery in Mounts Bay Road. The area was officially approved for the Club but rejected by a majority of members as being “too far out of town”. In 1926 “The Coombe” in Mosmans Bay…Read More
  • 1922
    January 3
    Walter Lindrum
    Visitor to RPYC
  • 1917
    January 1
    First Tax Assessment
    The Club was hit with its first taxation assessment, Six Pounds Sixteen.
  • 1910
    January 1
    Junior Members
    The first mention of Junior Members in Minutes read – “Gentlemen over the age of 16 and under 21, not being the owner of a boat, may be accepted as a Junior Member”. There was no nomination fee and the annual subscription was One Guinea. Three years later there was…Read More
  • 1909
    January 23
    WAs First National Yachting Title
    Andy Roche, later to become an Hon Life Member of RPYC, sailed “Elma” to win the 14 foot dinghy National Championship on Sydney Harbour
  • 1906
    May 19
    The first winner of a Royal Perth Yacht Club Power Yacht Race
    “Vista” sailed by AW Green won this inaugural race on 19th May 1906
  • 1905
    January 10
    Esplanade Reclamation
    The Esplanade was reclaimed to within 60 yards of the Club
  • 1904
    January 26
    Governor’s Cup
    The earliest reference to the racing of the Governor’s Cup is in 1904, the winner that year being Carter and Ariotts sailing “Waitangi” . Further research is being conducted in ths area.
  • 1903
    June 6
    First recorded visitors in the Visitors Book
    Members of the Royal Comic Opera Company
  • 1897
    January 6
    Bar and Bar Chits
    The first mention of a bar was in the Committee Minutes dated 6th January 1897. Bar Chits were introduced soon after but reluctantly withdrawn after two months.
  • 1891
    January 1
    New Burgee
    The members unanimously decided to dispense with the old blue “PYC” Burgee and adopt a new one. The design chosen was a white burgee bearing a Red St Georges Cross an emblazoned with a St Edwards Crown in the upper canton.
  • 1890
    January 1
    The Royal Warrant to fly the Blue Ensign
     
  •  
    January 1
    Title and prefix of Royal
    On the recommendation of Governor Sir Frederic Napier Broome the Club received the title and prefix of Royal from Queen Victoria and at the same time it was announced that the Lords of the Admiralty had granted the Club the Royal Warrant to fly an un-defaced Blue ensign
  •  
    January 1
    Royal Charter
    Perth Yacht Club received the Royal Charter in 1890
  •  
    January 17
    The “Royal” prefix
    Exciting news was given to members at the Annual General Meeting held in 1890 – that Her Majesty, Queen Victoria had been pleased to confer upon the Club the title and prefix “Royal” … Your committee think it right to remind members that these distinctions have been conferred …
  • 1889
    January 24
    First Hon Life Member appointed
    James Dyer
  •  
    January 25
    First Smoke Social
    In the 1889 – 90 season was the first mention of smoke social and later advertised as Grand Smoke Concert
  •  
    January 25
    First Club House
    In 1889, Talbot Hobbs submitted plans for a new Club House. The plans were drawn and the tender of two hundred and thirteen pounds was accepted. In the same year, Governor, Sir Napier Broome declared the Clubhouse open at a banquet to celebrate the occasion.
  • 1876
    November 13
    The first formal General Meeting
    This meeting took place at the Fremason’s Hotel with all the original members present an others. Mr JG Lee Steere was elected President with George Shenton Vice President. Governor Weld accepted the office of Patron. This meeting was the progenitor of the Royal Perth Yacht Club.
  • 1870
    March 3
    Formulation of Sailing Rules
    A committee called the “Officers of the Regatta” was formed to frame sailing rules. Its first meeting was at the Freemason’s Hotel
  • 1865
    January 1
    Formation of Perth Yacht and Boat Club
    A meeting was convened with WH Knight (the first elected President) in the chair with de Lisle,Glyde,Lawrence, Scholl, Mitchell, Stone and Wynne also present. An annual membership fee of one pound fifteen shillings was struck and the name of Perth Yacht Club was officially chosen.
  •  
    January 1
    Perth Yacht Club formalised
    History records further notable events in 1851 and 1859, and in 1865 this original group of pioneer sailors formalised the Perth Yacht Club.
  • 1861
    June 1
    Celebration Regatta
    Celebration Regatta for the 32nd Anniversary of the Foundation of the Colony. Entries in the early Club Minute Books of the 1860’s, refer to a band of Swan River sailing enthusiast who revived the regattas each year to ensure continuity. Governor Arthur Kennedy was one of the instigators of the…
  • 1851
    June 18
    First Perth Regatta
    On the 29/11/1850, the “Perth Gazette” published an item to spark public interest. Boat Race: a match race between two gigs, “Native Chief” and “Lady of the Lake”. “Native Chief” won the race in 35 minutes with the crew of J Watson, H Burgess and J Dyer steering. This was…
  • 1843
    June 1
    The next Regatta
     
  • 1841
    June 1
    First printed record of a Regatta
    An advertisement signed by WB Andrews, G Nash and GJ Webb, designated Stewards, was placed in the “Inquirer” for a Regatta on 01/06/1841.