Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron

11/09/2026

We are CLUB OF THE YEAR! This one is for every sailor and family who have helped build up the club with genuine care and love for our community and a passion for getting more people sailing. Our 75th season is going to be our best one yet! 💙

2026 Victorian Club of the Year (Category A)!

Congratulations Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, 2026 Club of the Year (Category A) recipient.

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron's structured approach to membership, from Tackers and Discover Sailing through to mentoring and crew matching delivered a standout 2025-26, with 68 keelboat and 78 off-the-beach races, eight regattas drawing 850 competitors, and a fleet-doubling season hosting the largest RS Aero regatta in the Southern Hemisphere. With the RS Aero Worlds and a 75th anniversary regatta ahead, BYS is proving that strong growth and genuine community go hand in hand. It's a club culture where every new sailor's journey is supported, and every milestone is a shared win.

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron

11/09/2026

Laura Harding - Victorian Female Sailor of the Year!
Congratulations Laura 🏆

2026 Victorian Female Sailor of the Year!

Congratulations Laura Harding, 2026 Female Sailor of the Year recipient.

Laura has continued to cement her place among Australia's leading Olympic sailors, campaigning towards LA 2028 in the 49erFX class with a season that combined outstanding results and remarkable resilience. She claimed silver at French Olympic Week, backed up wins at the Australian 49erFX Championships in both 2025 and 2026 and at Sail Melbourne, and represented Australia at consecutive World Championships in Italy and France. All this while juggling a university degree and pushing through a broken leg at the 2026 49erFX World Championships. Alongside her own campaign, she coaches junior, youth and adult sailors at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, making her a truly deserving recipient of the Female Sailor of the Year Award!

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron / Australian Sailing Team

11/09/2026

Congratulations Glenys Hitchen - Victorian Lifetime Achievement Award!

2026 Victorian Lifetime Achievement Award!

Congratulations Glenys Hitchen, 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

For more than five decades, Glenys has shaped Australian sailing as a competitor, race official and mentor, from Mirror dinghy beginnings in 1969 and international racing at the 1994 J/24 Worlds, to officiating at more than twenty clubs and major events including Finn Masters, ILCA, Tasar and Moth World Championships across six countries. A two-time Victorian Official of the Year, her legacy lives on through Victorian Schools Team Sailing, GirlSail and the officials she continues to mentor as Secretary of the Victorian Race Officials Committee, a career defined as much by the standards she's set as the events she's delivered.

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron / Sandringham Yacht Club / Davey's Bay Yacht Club /
Safety Beach Sailing Club

11/09/2026

💎 SAVE THE DATES & SEARCH YOUR CUPBOARDS! ⛵

As we approach the opening of our Diamond Jubilee and milestone 75th sailing season, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane—and we need your help! 📸

Do you have original photos from "back in the day" at BYS, or significant club memorabilia tucked away at home? We are creating a special display in the Clubhouse Foyer so our community can reminisce and celebrate 75 years of history together.

🔒 All items will be safely displayed and returned to you.

📅 KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Saturday, 3 October – Opening Day & Commodore's Cocktail Party
Sunday, 25 October – 50-Year Members & Life Members Recognition Lunch
Sunday, 28 March (Easter Sunday) – Diamond Jubilee Easter Series & 75th Anniversary Celebration (Late afternoon celebration on our official anniversary date!)

Got memorabilia or photos to share?
Please get in touch with the Clubhouse Office or reach out directly to Commodore Georgina Plumridge.

Let’s celebrate 75 years of family, friendship, and sailing together!

06/09/2026

🏆 Club of the Year finalist!

What a way to head into our 75th year! 🎉

We’re incredibly proud to see Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron named a finalist for Club of the Year, alongside two fantastic Victorian clubs, RMYS and ORCV.

For 75 years, BYS has been growing, evolving and creating opportunities for people to enjoy sailing. From our youngest sailors taking their first steps on the water, to racing, regattas, volunteers, coaches and the countless members who make this place what it is, there’s a lot to be proud of.

And perhaps what makes us proudest is that BYS today is bigger, more diverse and more ambitious than ever, while still holding onto the things that have always mattered: Family. Friendship. Sailing. ❤️

A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Club over the past 75 years. This one is for all of you.

Now… fingers crossed! 🤞🏆

Victorian Club of the Year Finalists (Category A)!

Congratulations Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron and Ocean Racing Club of Victoria the 2026 finalists for the Club of the Year (Category A).

We are thrilled to unveil the exceptional finalists who have been nominated for the prestigious Club of the Year Award (Category A). These clubs have made remarkable contributions to our community and the sport of sailing, demonstrating their dedication, passion and unwavering support.

🎉 Join us in honouring these exceptional finalists at the upcoming Australian Sailing Victoria Awards Evening!

🎉 To learn more about our finalists read the article here: https://www.sailing.org.au/news/finalists-announced-for-the-2026-victorian-sailing-awards-

🎉 Register now for the awards evening and be part of this special event:
https://www.sailing.org.au/events/362485

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron / Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) / Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Inc. (ORCV)

02/09/2026

If you’ve been along to club HYGMs and AGMs, you’ll know how passionate the Marina Committee is about their innovative marina repair tools.
If you didn’t make it to a meeting, just ask John Petschel about the projects and he’ll get you up to speed on every detail! ⚒️

Victorian Innovation Award Finalists!

Congratulations Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron (Marina Repair Tools), Rod Fuller and Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (French Sailing Holiday Program) the 2026 finalists for the Innovation Award.

We are thrilled to unveil the exceptional finalists who have been nominated for the prestigious Innovation Award. These finalists have made remarkable contributions to our community and the sport of sailing, demonstrating their dedication, passion and unwavering support.

🎉 Join us in honouring these exceptional finalists at the upcoming Australian Sailing Victoria Awards Evening!

🎉 To learn more about our finalists read the article here: https://www.sailing.org.au/news/finalists-announced-for-the-2026-victorian-sailing-awards-

🎉 Register now for the awards evening and be part of this special event: https://www.sailing.org.au/events/302592

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron / Hobsons Bay Yacht Club / Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS)

31/08/2026

☀️ Summer is just around the corner, and visitor berths are NOW OPEN at Blairgowrie Marina! 🚤✨

Ready for an unforgettable season on the water?

Secure a short stay and make our sheltered waters your home base for exploring Port Phillip Bay, Sorrento, Portsea and beyond.

✨ Why stay with us?
Stay Aboard: Overnight stays permitted (up to 7 days).
Perks: Enjoy temporary access to the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron clubhouse, dining, bar, and 24/7 facilities.
Prime Location: Easy cruising to Portsea, Queenscliff, and Bass Strait—plus cafes and shops just a short stroll away.
Zero Hassle: Skip the boat ramps and spend more time enjoying the water!

📍 Berths fill fast—book your spot today!

Our marina office will be open 6 days a week Mon-Sat from Saturday, 3 October. Call 5926 9611 or email [email protected]

30/08/2026

Congratulations Gus McIntyre, Instructor of the Year finalist!

Victorian Instructor of the Year Finalists!

Congratulations Gus McIntyre, Ian Fox and Thomas Jackson the 2026 finalists for Instructor of the Year.

We are thrilled to unveil the exceptional finalists who have been nominated for the prestigious Instructor of the Year Award. These individuals have made remarkable contributions to our community and the sport of sailing, demonstrating their dedication, passion and unwavering support.

🎉 Join us in honouring these exceptional finalists at the upcoming Australian Sailing Victoria Awards Evening!

🎉 To learn more about our finalists read the article here: https://www.sailing.org.au/news/finalists-announced-for-the-2026-victorian-sailing-awards-

🎉 Register now for the awards evening and be part of this special event: https://www.sailing.org.au/events/362485

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron / Royal Yacht Club of Victoria / Sandringham Yacht Club

29/08/2026

Laura Harding and Annie Wilmot - Team of the Year finalists!

·Laura and Annie had a strong 49erFX season, highlighted by a silver medal at French Olympic Week and a Gold Fleet qualification at the World Championships, showing strong promise and resilience as they continue building toward LA 2028.

Give Laura and Annie a cheer in the comments!

Victorian Team of the Year Finalists!

Congratulations Ginan (Nigel Jones & Cameron McKenzie), Laura Harding & Annie Wilmott and MRV Team the 2026 finalists for the Team of the Year.

We are thrilled to unveil the exceptional finalists who have been nominated for the prestigious Team of the Year Award. These teams have made remarkable contributions to our community and the sport of sailing, demonstrating their dedication, passion and unwavering support.

🎉 Join us in honouring these exceptional finalists at the upcoming Australian Sailing Victoria Awards Evening!

🎉 To learn more about our finalists read the article here: https://www.sailing.org.au/news/finalists-announced-for-the-2026-victorian-sailing-awards-

🎉 Register now for the awards evening and be part of this special event:
https://www.sailing.org.au/events/362485

Mornington Yacht Club / Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron / Sandringham Yacht Club