Festival of Sails
History of D9800 - Youth Sailing Program
The Festival of Sails was started in the 1840s by Royal Geelong YC and is the largest keel boat regatta with 400 yachts participating this year.
In 1998 discussions with Rotary began and in 2001 John Bertrand who was a patron of Audi Victoria Week and a Victorian, Australia Day committee member introduced the concept that became the Youth Sailing Program.
Over time the race has been sponsored by Scandia and Audi but this year has reverted to the original Festival of Sails.
The Rotary program involves young people from country Victoria, sponsored by their local Rotary Club, being invited to participate in Australia Day celebrations in Melbourne over three days.
They are billeted with Rotarians, with the Rotary Clubs of Brighton North and Essendon North being involved for many years and this year also Rotary Club Brighton. The participants attend the Australia Post, Australia Day luncheon, are shown sail making and sail equipment and this year a whole day sail training experience through Sandringham YC.
Above: Our 2012 team of young sailors.
On Australia Day they all participate in the Australia Day Festival of Sails race to Geelong.
The primary goal of the program is to connect regional Victoria to Melbourne metropolitan Australia Day celebrations, by giving young country people a new experience!
Lyn Mortimer
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