Mobile Boatshed – Whitworths Mobile Tackers Fleet Launch

by Yachting Victoria on 21 Jul 2010 Boatshed’s second birthday celebration, and the launch of the Mobile Boatshed may well have taken place mid-winter, but the sun was shining.

Although it was one of winter’s colder days the excitement of 25 kids from Meadows Primary School, Broadmeadows who came to the Boatshed for their first Tackers sailing session was the highlight for over 50 invited guests from government, business and the sailing and boating community.

The Boatshed at Albert Park Lake was opened two years ago with a focus on young people, and in that two years around 6000 people have participated in its sailing programs.

The second birthday celebration, hosted by Boatshed Manager Rod Austin, provided an opportunity to recognise all the people involved in its success, from its team of young instructors, to government partners such as Parks Victoria, corporate supporters including RFD and community partners like Variety Victoria.

Olympic Gold medallist Mark Turnbull OAM and Variety Splash Ambassador led the birthday celebrations and highlighted the contrast between his introduction to sailing and the fun programs and modern boats the Boatshed offers.

The success of the Boatshed at Albert Park has encouraged Yachting Victoria to take its programs state wide to clubs and schools throughout the state with the launch of the Mobile Boatshed.

The mobile Boatshed comprises three fleets of dinghies, each suited to primary school age children (Tackers – Ozi Optis), youth (Pacers) and people with disabilities (Sailability – Access dinghies). It also incorporates the Boating Victoria learn to power boat safely program.

Highlight of the celebrations was the launch of a brand new fleet of Ozi Optis that are the Mobile Tackers Fleet. They were provided by Whitworth’s Marine and Leisure as part of a generous five year sponsorship agreement aimed at significantly growing kids participation in sailing.

Boatshed Manager Rod Austin said 'Our ambitious aim is to provide every Victorian child the opportunity to learn to sail. We will go anywhere there is water to make it happen, and we are especially targeting kids who would not otherwise have had the opportunity'.

Variety Victoria Board Member Sharon McDonald was present to hand over a sensational new trailer to accommodate the 15 boats and all the safety gear for the Whitworth’s Mobile Tackers Fleet. 'Variety is pleased to be continuing to support the Boatshed in its kids programs. Pleasingly the money raised for this trailer came from The Variety Splash – an annual on water Bash held each February on Port Phillip Bay. '

Local MP Martin Foley officially launched the Mobile Boatshed and Whitworth’s Tackers Fleet and thanked the Victorian sailing community and its many community and business partners present for the success of the Boatshed at Albert Park and the initiative of its new Mobile prodigy in making sailing accessible and affordable to all Victorians.

For more information, please go to: www.yachtingvictoria.com.au