Royal Yacht Club of Victoria could not survive without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. Races could not be run, committees could not govern, and functions would not happen without them. There is no doubt that volunteers are the essence of any club, and RYCV is no different.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at the Club throughout the year, both on and off the water, from our regular Club racing through to major regattas.

One of the biggest opportunities to volunteer is at the Club’s annual working bee, which helps us clean up our clubhouse, yard and marina in preparation for the new sailing season. The working bee is also a great social event on the calendar and a perfect way to meet new friends or catch up with some old ones. The Commodore will open the bar and even fire up the BBQ at the end of it all in appreciation of your hard work in making our Club look beautiful.

Other than the working bee, RYCV regularly hosts major events and regattas, all of which need your help to run smoothly, allowing the events to be enjoyed by our Members and visitors. Volunteers play an integral role in both on and off water activities. Our House & Social Committee are also looking for volunteers to help out with social events at the Club. Keep an eye out for details on specific events, like the Lipton Cup Regatta.

On a weekly basis, the race management team is always looking for assistance running the Club races, which are regularly run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The regular Club racing is a great opportunity to get out on the water and gain experience without the pressure of the larger regattas. If you are new to sailing, being on the start boat during racing is a great way to see what happens on a start line with boats manoeuvring for the best start.

To find out more and express your interest in volunteering at RYCV, please contact the office on (03) 9397 1277 or by email at rycv@rycv.asu.au. Alternatively, you can also complete the online Volunteer Application Form.

The Benefits of Volunteering

Apart from that warm and fuzzy feeling you get after helping out with a successful event, volunteering at the Club provides a strong sense of community and friendship. Volunteering is a great opportunity to meet other motivated people who are committed to giving back to the Club to make it the best it can be.

Another benefit of volunteering with the Club is that you will gain experience, and the Club can help you develop your skills by offering volunteer training opportunities. The Club runs advanced and specific training courses for volunteers at no cost to themselves. This means that by volunteering with the Club, you are also broadening your skill base and learning new things to assist you in developing your passion for sailing. RYCV is your Club – let’s work together and make it a wonderful place to be!

Qualifications

Many roles require no previous experience, and you will often be teamed up with an experienced person who can guide you. Some volunteer roles at RYCV, however, require a certain level of training and/or qualifications.

Volunteers wanting to operate Club boats, such as the RIBs or the Suzuki, require a minimum qualification of the Power Boat Handling Certificate (the old TL3) and preferably a Safety Boat qualification. If you want to operate radios at the Club you will need a radio licence. It is also beneficial if some volunteers have First Aid Level 2 qualifications and blue crane certifications.

Courses are run regularly at the Club for the above qualifications, with the Club covering the cost for regular volunteers. After all, it is in the Club’s interest to have a strong, qualified volunteer base, particularly if we want to run major events.

Working With Children Check

All staff and volunteers who work with children at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria must have a Working With Children (WWC) check that is free for volunteers.

Employers, self-employed persons, employees, and volunteers all have obligations under the Working with Children Act 2005. By fulfilling these obligations, we can all help to make Victoria’s children safer.

The Working with Children (WWC) check is one mechanism to help keep children safe. It is designed to complement good recruitment, selection (including reference checking), supervision, and training practices for staff and volunteers who work with children.

You can read more about the process of applying for a Working with Children’s check on the Victorian Government’s WWCC Website.