Discovery of the Swan River
The Dutch Captain Willem de Vlamingh after his arrival at Rottnest on 29 December 1696, later discovered and named the Swan River on 10 January 1697.
First “Sails on the Swan”
A french expedition sailed up the Swan River as far as Heririsson Island.
Exploration of the Swan River
Captain James Stirling of HMS Success explored the West Coast and Swan River
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.
The next Regatta
On Foundation Day 1843 a regatta was hastily arranged to celebrate the occasion
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…Read More
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…Read More
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.
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.
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
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.
Jetty and Clubhouse
A jetty was built at the Clubs original location at the foot of William Street. The Clubhouse was opened in 1889 when the States population was just 49,000
Application to construct a jetty
An application to construct a jetty complete with drawings, was submitted to PCC for approval.
Perth Yacht Club and Burgee
At the Annual General Meeting 29 new members were elected. At that same meeting, a Resolution was passed dropping the word “Boat” from the title of the Club. It was also decided that the Burgee should be blue with the letters PYC in white in the centre. Membership was fixed…Read More
First caretaker appointed
The caretaker was only referred to as Mr Mac. His salary was 12 pounds per year and his duties were to keep an eye on the jetty and moored boats. Mr Mac was also the manager of the Baths next door.
President to Commodore
In 1886 President Gugeri’s title changed from President to Commodore in line with the practice current in English Yacht Clubs and this practise still continues today.
First Ladies Committee
In connection with the Ball held in 1888, The first Ladies Committee to be associated with the Club was appointed by General Committee consisting of Mesdames Bennion, Burnside, Sherwood and Misses Saunders and Victor.
First Smoke Social
In the 1889 – 90 season was the first mention of smoke social and later advertised as Grand Smoke Concert
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.
The Royal Warrant to fly the Blue Ensign
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty granted the Club the Royal Warrant to fly the Blue Ensign
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
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 … and…Read More
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
First Tax Assessment
The Club was hit with its first taxation assessment, Six Pounds Sixteen.
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
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
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.
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…Read More
Inaugural Australia Day Regatta
Australia Day Regatta and Aquatic Carnival held in Crawley Bay 26 January 1948
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
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.
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.
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.
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”
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
RPYC’s First Olympic Medal
Roly Tasker won silver at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 sailing “Falcon 1V” – SEE HALL OF FAME
Lord and Lady Teynham
Visitors to RPYC. Lord Teynham was Commodore of The House of Lords Yacht Club
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”.
Inaugural Carnival of the Swan
The Inaugural Carnival of the Swan was held in the year of the Commonwealth Games
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”
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.
Albany Ocean Race
The inaugural Albany Ocean Race was held in the 1967-68 sailing season. The first winner was JB Fitzhardinge in “Theanna”
Jon Sanders double circumnavigation of the world
Americas Cup
The 1983 Americas Cup was the occasion of the first winning challenge to the New York Yacht Club who had successfully defended the cup over a period of 132 years. An Australian syndicate representing the Royal Perth Yacht Club won the match races to win the Americas Cup which ended…Read More
Opening of RPYC Annex Marina at Fremantle
Visit to RPYC BY HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
Visit to RPYC by HE Miss Agatha Barbara, President of the Repulic of Malta
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.
America’s Cup Regatta of Fremantle
HRH, The Princess Anne visits RPYC during America’s Cup Racing
Jon Sanders triple circumnavigation of the world
HRH,The Duke of Edinburgh visits RPYC for Royal Charter Centenary
IFDS – (International Federation of Disabled Sailors) World Championships
Club Member Elise Rechichi awarded Corinthian Membership to RPYC Hall of Fame
Club Junior Member Douglas Campbell finished 1st in the 2009 Optimist National Championships
John Longley inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame
Queens Birthday Honours awarded to Club Members Graham Owens OAM and Jack Bendat AM
Olympic Gold for Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson at the Beijing Olympics – Womens 470’s
Clubs WA Awards 2010 – Award of Excellence in the Category of Outstanding Community Service
2010 WA Yachting Awards
Awarded to Club Members Torvar Mirsky, Annette Morris, Nia Jerwood, Diego Figueroa, Douglas Campbell and Genevieve Wickham