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Past Australian National
Champions
![]() Historic
photos
 
Violet II - 1st Australian National
Champion
1904/05
Triad - Winner of 7 national
titles
Victoria Legends Day 2008
 Photos: Courtesy
Lyndie Bray (Click on images for bigger
pictures)
On Saturday May 10th over 30 Legends of
the class in Victoria attended the 2008 Legends Day at
Black Rock Yacht Club, overlooking the day's race
course. The complete absence of wind put a
halt to the racing but not the celebration of the
class's long history
Bill Bray former Commodore of the St
Kilda 14ft Dinghy Club and Stewart Vickery current National
Class President gave addresses.
Bob Vance, son of Hugh Vance
one of Triad's crew, kindly donated to the Victorian
Association the St Kilda Dinghy Club's Champion's pennant
for the 1929-30 season, won by Triad (7 times national
champion), skippered by Billy Osborne. The Legends also
kindly added to the Association's collection of rare
historic photos of 14 sailing in
Victoria.
Victorian 14ft Skiff Centenary
day
Photos
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On 5 November
2005 the 14ft skiff class in Victoria celebrated its
Centenary. Prior to a series of 3 races Bill Bray
former Commodore of the St Kilda 14ft Dinghy Club gave
this address to a large contingent of Legends and
current 14 sailors.
Ladies and Gentlemen and that includes 14 footers
present and past
In November 1905 the St.
Kilda Sailing and Angling Club was formed by a gathering
of 33 dedicated boat people, chaired by Mr. Alec
Campbell.
The object and
purpose of meeting was to establish a restricted class
of boat that performed well in all conditions on Port
Philip Bay; was safe and easy to handle and also had
sufficient floatation to support the crew if capsized.
From this meeting the 14 footer class was
developed. It has seen many changes – from clinker
built; moulded hulls of timber veneer; to fiberglass
with aerodynamic sails, sophisticated
| rigging with only 2 crew,
instead of the original 5. But the 14ft. restriction has
survived and is a well established world class.
We are here today to
celebrate 100 years of 14ft. sailing on Port Philip Bay and
the state of Victoria, of which the St. Kilda Dinghy Club and
later the 14ft. Sailing Club were the main venue and
controlling body of 14ft. sailing in Victoria as well as
competing in Championship evens all over Australia.
During the 60 years of the club’s existence the
clubhouse was the original fishing shed owned by Fred and
Arthur Brookes at Brookes Jetty. A new clubroom was built
there and opened in 1939 by Commodore Bill Osborne and
Councilor E. Mitty of the St. Kilda Council.
The
club houses were ravaged by many storms, the members went
through 2 World Wars and the Great Depression of the 1930s but
the club survived until 1961 when membership had dropped and
the club building was deteriorating until it became necessary
to consider closing down the operation of the Club – or
amalgamating with Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club. This came to
pass with a name change to Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron with
reciprocal rights to all members of both clubs; and the
transfer to West Beach Pavilion where RMYS stored their cadet
dinghies.
This
arrangement continued to 1965 when many of the 14s moved to
Black Rock Yacht Club. Black Rock and Sandringham Yacht Clubs
are now the main venue of the large fleet of 14 footers which
are well organized and have made it possible for us to be here
today to commemorate and celebrate 100 years of continuous 14
footer sailing.
As I
am probably the oldest of the original 14ft. Sailing Club
members here today, I feel very humble and privileged to be
able to represent the many past and present members who have
sailed in 14 footers and enjoyed the great comradeship and
friendships I have made which have lasted all my life. There
have been many notable skippers and crew members who have
represented the Club and further represented the State or
Australia in major yachting events.
When
I became a member in 1938, the club was a very active
organisation with many members of all ages, boys and men who
enjoyed the active social life of the club plus the well run
races when up to 20 boats would start with crews of 80 to 100
participating.
Members were mainly from local and southeast
suburbs and working class people who at that time had to work
on Saturday mornings. This was after the 1930s depression but
heading towards the Second World War in 1939.
After joining the Royal Australian Navy in 1939
and serving for a short time until demobilised, I became
secretary of the Club until 1948.
During the war years the Club continued sailing
and supported active service members as well as helping the
local Red Cross group until the Defence Department occupied
the top section of the clubhouse.
The
St. Kilda 14ft. Sailing Club was held in high esteem in
yachting by other clubs. It catered for a wide range of people
– to challenge the elements and with great opportunity to
experiment with design.
The
club had a great social atmosphere with football, ice skating,
table tennis, interaction with other clubs and regattas. All
this activity created many friendships that have lasted for
ever, that have brought us here today and may it continue
amongst the 14 footers at Black Rock and Sandringham.
I
would be remiss if I didn't pay tribute the Bert Ferris the
historian at RMYS and 14ft, Sailing Clubs for the research and
time he has taken to provide us with all the information and
data to hold this 100 year celebration.
I
would like to thank the RMYS for their co-operation in
assisting us on this occasion and when we were in the position
of Do-or-Die so that we survived to be here today.
In
conclusion, on behalf of all present and past 14 footers,
thanks to Black Rock Club, Peter Avery and all those that have
helped to bring us together for the 100 years of 14 footer
Sailing.
Please enter into the spirit of the occasion
and enjoy yourselves." | 
