General Manager - Victoria Monthly Update October/November 2024

The latest updates from Australian Sailing's General Manager – Victoria – Meaghan Densley 

Please click this link to find a copy of all past Victoria General Managers Updates. 

In this update, you will find the following:

• Christmas Office Hours
• Good news story – Merricks Yacht Club
• Working With Children Checks
• Race Committee Resources
  
  

Office Closure 

Christmas and National Championships are on the horizon and fast approaching, If you require any assistance please ensure you are in contact with the office prior to our office closure.

Thursday 19th December to Sunday 5th January 2025.    

Great news for current and aspiring Race Officials – the Officials Hub is now live!

The new Hub provides easy access to information and resources relevant to Race Officials, including course information, the accreditation process, and a collection of useful reference documents and template forms for Race Officials. 

By making information and resources more streamlined and accessible, the Officials Hub is another step toward delivery of the Instructor, Coach & Official Development Strategy. 

What if I only want to volunteer locally?

That’s great! Sailing depends on passionate volunteers like you, and your contributions are appreciated. You don’t have to be accredited to continue helping out.

If you are looking to develop your officiating skills, there are a few ways to do so:

• Reach out to more experienced officials for mentorship and advice
• Complete some of our free eLearning courses
• Continue building your knowledge through hands-on experience.

To visit the new Officials Hub, click here. 

Good News Story – Merricks Yacht Club 

It was an Honor to open the 2024/25 season at Merricks Yacht Club. Western Port has been a fantastic place to sail, and the camaraderie between the clubs here truly set this region apart. This season promised exciting highlights, from the Teams Racing and Montalto Masters at WPYC to the Westernport Challenge, hosted by Merricks, and the junior overnight cruise to Flinders.

Merricks offered a great lineup of racing and cruising, but it was also a club that deeply valued its social members. With expanded community involvement—including weekly Thursday drinks, craft nights, and Pilates classes—the club evolved into an inviting space for everyone. This year, Merricks put a special focus on welcoming women from the community. In addition to sailing, there were a range of activities like wellness workshops, yoga, craft sessions, and social gatherings, creating opportunities for women to connect, learn, and find their place in the club.

Working With Children Checks 

WWCC Purpose and Process: WWCC Victoria reviews the criminal history and professional conduct of applicants to protect children from harm.

Club Responsibilities: Clubs, Associations, and Discover Sailing Centres must actively ensure that anyone in a child-related role has a valid WWCC. This includes:

• Requiring all new volunteers and employees to provide their WWCC number.
• Verifying WWCCs with the Department of Justice and maintaining records.
• Conducting periodic checks (recommended annually) to ensure WWCCs are valid.

Verification: WWCCs can be quickly and easily validated online via the Department of Justice’s website to ensure they are up to date.  CLICK HERE

Compliance with Child Safe Standards: Holding valid WWCCs is just one part of a child-safe environment. The WWCC alone does not satisfy the full Victorian Child Safe Standards, but it is a helpful component. To further support understanding and implementation of these standards, Vicsport and the Commission for Children and Young People offer an online education program. ENROLL NOW

Further Assistance: Enquiries about the WWCC can be directed to the Department of Justice either online or by calling 1300 652 879.

Victorian Sailing Calendar 

The Victorian Sailing Calendar can be accessed from HERE

The Calendar is designed to allow clubs to enter their events and see what else is happening in the area before selecting a date for an event.