Geelong
Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, 75 kilometres (47 mi) south-west of melbourne. It is the second largest Victorian city, with an estimated urban population of 195,000.
Geelong is also known as the ‘Gateway City’ due to its central location to surrounding Victorian regional centres like Ballarat in the north west, Torquay, Great Ocean Road and Warrnambool in the southwest, Hamilton, Colac and Winchelsea to the west, and the state capital of Melbourne in the north east.
Geelong stands as an emerging health, education and advanced manufacturing hub. The city’s economy is shifting quickly and despite experiencing the drawbacks of losing much of its heavy manufacturing, it is seeing much growth in other sectors, positioning itself as one of the leading non-capital Australian cities.
Geelong has a vibrant waterfront on which the Royal Geelong Yacht Club is located. During summer the whole waterfront is alive with locals and visitors enjoying the sophisticated cafes, bars and hotel accommodation, the extensive public promenade and beaches and the piers and jetties.
Geelong’s famous Bollards are located along the waterfront. See: https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/bollards/article/item/8d250a1f01e3425.aspx
One block back from the waterfront lies the main central business district of Geelong. Here the major shopping centres provide all manner of goods and services. These are joined by cinemas, speciality shops, public buildings and Deakin University.
The main train service from Melbourne passes through Geelong station at the western edge of Geelong’s CBD, about a twenty minute walk from the yacht club.
The Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC), was founded in 1859 and received royal patronage in 1924. It is the venue for the annual Festival of Sails held each January long weekend which is the largest sailing regatta in the Southern Hemisphere. It also hosts a biennial Wooden Boat Festival.
Whilst participating in the regatta, Laser sailors will have honorary membership of the club and will therefore have access to the extensive grounds, with views over Corio bay, members bar, dining facilities, changing facilities and the off-the-beach clubhouse.