STAWELL Yacht Club celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in style.
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The organisers were thrilled with the turnout with many past members in attendance.
At least two of the attendees were involved as juniors with the club from the very beginning and recounted the actual process for the site selection in 1954 and building of the clubrooms.
Ken McMurtrie, who now lives in Melbourne, and Laurie Trevan from Albury made the effort to join others on the day.
Twelve past commodores were present on the day as well as many family members of commodores that have passed.
The 30 piece Ararat City Band, under the leadership of Wally Pope, was on hand to entertain the group as other activities occurred during the day.
An arts project run by Wendy St George kept a number of the children entertained as well as producing a stunning piece of art work in the form of a junior training boat.
A colouring competition organised by the club with the local Primary Schools was also on display with the winners being selected on the day.
Councillors Wayne Rice and Karen Hyslop from the Northern Grampians Shire Council were able to be part of the club's celebrations.
During the welcome ceremony, Commodore Tony Hillier made particular reference to the help the council had given the club through their small events grants process and that the celebrations would not have been possible without the council's support.
Also mentioned was the work the Stawell Yacht Club currently performs for the benefit of the community, with their continued involvement in the Sailability program.
This connection allows volunteers from the club to take members of the public, who may be restricted with a mobility issue or a disability, for a sail in specially designed dinghies.
The combined 60th anniversary and Discover Sailing Day event meant that a number of people who attended could go for a sail with one of the club volunteers.
Without a doubt, one of the most interesting and possibly the oldest participant who took up the sailing offer was Ms Joan Pearson from the Grampians region.
Ms Pearson is 87 years young and only stopped sailing by herself several years ago because it became too difficult to rig and launch her boat.
Her optimism and vitality was infectious.
At the end of the day, many past members had reconnected with the club and a number of the public who had never sailed before got a chance to experience this great sport.
The Stawell Yacht Club committee thanked all of those who attended, and in particular, friends and club members who volunteered on the day to make it such a success.