Welcome to Sailing at Port Melbourne Yacht Club

Port Melbourne Yacht Club (PMYC) is a leading club for off-the-beach (OTB) sailing on Port Phillip Bay and has been operating continuously since its establishment in 1889.

PMYC has a modern two storey Clubhouse, spectacularly sited over water with magnificent views, and other disabled-compliant amenities.  The club is also flanked by spacious sandy beaches which provide a great environment for families and are suitable for the safe rigging of boats.  It is also conveniently located at the end of Bay Street.

PMYC offers a broad range of sailing experiences across all levels of ability and ages and the club carries Yachting Australia Training Centre (YATC) accreditation for entry into the sport.  While our regular season extends from September to May, the club is open year round for members.  The club has a large group of dedicated volunteers (sailors and non-sailors) which form the race management team that participates in hosting events at interclub, state, national and international levels.
   
The clubhouse includes the first floor members’ area with food and beverage facilities, a race control tower, ground floor area for functions / conferences, and a disabled lift to access the upper level.  And fantastic new change rooms.  Undercover and external yard storage is provided for monohull and catamaran boats.

The club has a tradition of open membership.  No pre-qualification is required for bona fide people seeking membership nor is there a waiting list.  So, new members and volunteers are always welcome!  If you are interested in joining a progressive Club that is engaged with the local community and sailing activities, please come to visit us at “Port”.
   
The Commodore

MISSION STATEMENT

The safety and wellbeing of club members is a primary concern for Port Melbourne Yacht Club.
Port Melbourne Yacht Club believes

• All members and volunteers esp. children have the right to have fun and be safe in sport
• Port Melbourne Yacht Club acknowledges that our staff and volunteers provide a valuable contribution to the positive experiences of our juniors, and we aim to ensure this continues by protecting the safety and welfare of all participants, especially those most vulnerable.
• Sport is uniquely placed to contribute to safeguarding the welfare of children
• Close proximity of instructors and coaches, intense and competitive atmosphere may place children and adults in vulnerable situations
• Sport may provide easy access to someone who may want to harm children
• All members especially youth and junior members while enjoying sailing, should be safe from physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The kinds of abuse most likely to occur during sports activities are emotional abuse including bullying, and physical violence & sexual abuse

• All children under 18 attend the club only with their parents’ permission and knowledge
• No child may be left unattended at the Club either while parents are sailing or if parents decide to leave the club environs
• The club will have a documented safety policy for all areas, on and off shore
• Children and other vulnerable people will be given appropriate safety and protection whilst in the care of Port Melbourne Yacht Club
• Port Melbourne Yacht Club and its members will follow a code of conduct for people working with children and other vulnerable persons. (Appendix A)
• The club provides procedures for raising concerns or complaints (Appendix B)
• The Club provide education and/or information to it’s officials and volunteers on child abuse and child protection

EDUCATION

• The club will provide information to increase awareness of this issue among club members.
• Event programs, newsletters will be used to maintain awareness of the issue and to prompt protective behaviour
• Club officials will act as suitable role models.

The Vulnerable Persons Safety Policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that the document remains current and practical to the Club's requirements.

Code of Conduct for People working with Children

Appendix A

• Always be publicly open when working with children.
• Avoid situations where you and an individual child are completely unobserved.
• Where possible parents, should take responsibility for their children in changing rooms.
• If groups are to be supervised in changing rooms, always ensure that adults work in pairs.
• Volunteers and professionals must respect the rights and dignity and worth of all and treat everyone with equality.
• Volunteers and professionals must place the well-being and safety of the sailors above the development of performance.
• Instructors and Coaches should hold current relevant YA qualifications. E.g. YA Instructor Qualification such as GISBS 1 or 2, ,a National Coaches Accreditation Scheme – Level 1 from another sport or Level 2 YA coaching accreditation. Adults must ensure that the activities which they direct or advocate are appropriate to the age, maturity and ability of the performer
• Adults should always promote the positive aspects of their sport (e.g. fair play) and never condone rule violations
• Adults must consistently display high standards of personal behaviour and appearance.
• Adults should never overtly criticise athletes or use sarcasm where it may cause the person to lose self-esteem or confidence.
• Members should be aware that as a general rule it does not make sense to spend amounts of time alone with children away from others

Appendix B

All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. Staff/volunteers are not trained to deal with situations of abuse or to decide if abuse has occurred. However, they should be aware of their responsibility to report concerns if they arise
All staff (paid/unpaid) working in the club have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate officer

Action if there are concerns

1. Concerns about poor practice: this includes bullying, poor sportsmanship, verbal abuse of crew or other sailors, and unwanted personal attention.
If, following consideration, the allegation is clearly about poor practice; the Club Child Welfare Officer will deal with it as a misconduct issue.
If the allegation is about poor practice by the Club Child Welfare Officer, or if the matter has been handled inadequately and concerns remain, it should be reported to Yachting Victoria officer who will decide how to deal with the allegation and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

2. Concerns about suspected abuse
Any suspicion that a child has been abused by either a member of staff or a volunteer should be reported to the Club Child Welfare Officer, who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child in question and any other child who may be at risk.
The Club Child Welfare Officer will refer the allegation to the Social Services department who may involve the Police, or will go directly to the Police in an emergency.
The parents or carers of the child will be contacted as soon as possible following advice from the Social Services department.
The Club Child Welfare Officer should also notify the Commodore who in turn will inform the Yachting Victoria who will deal with any media enquiries.
If the Club Child Welfare Officer is the subject of the suspicion/allegation, the report must be made to the appropriate Manager or in his/her absence the Yachting Victoria Child Protection Officer who will refer the allegation to Social Services.

Background

The Port Melbourne Yacht Club owns a number of boats. The primary purpose of which is to be used for the Sailing Schools run by the Club, but to be also available for use by club members when rescue boats are in attendance.

Assessment of competence/ safety

Anyone requesting the use of the Club boats is required to be approved by one of the Club qualified instructors or other person designated by the committee This assessment will be made from either their knowledge of the person or from an on water assessment or other appropriate method.
It is the responsibility of the person listed as the Skipper to ensure him/herself that the boat is seaworthy.
Lifejackets or appropriate buoyancy vests must be worn at all times while using boats

Conditions of Use

• Boats are not to be used without approval of the Sailing committee of the day.
• No boats are to be taken out without a Rescue boat on the water
• Boats are not to be used in forecast wind speed in excess of 20knots.
• Any damage or wear to be reported to the Tower and sailors responsible for the financial costs of any repairs required and to be involved in repairs or purchase of parts.
• All sailors are required to be current financial members of the YA to ensure they are covered by liability insurance.
• New members may use boats in their first season, but it is intended that members will then join a crew or purchase their own boat.
• A record of use of the boats is maintained both on the Club Boat Register Board located in the dinghy shed. This is also a safety requirement.

Information required is

• Boat name or number
• Name of skipper
• Name of crew
• Date
• Time out
• Estimated time of return
• Members who do not adhere to these procedures will be denied use of the boats.

Repair of damage to boats

1. It is the responsibility of the skipper to report any damage and arrange that the boat be ready for use the following Saturday where practical.
2. Those who use the boats regularly are required to assist with seasonal maintenance

Commodore, John Carrig

To maximize sailing participation the Club supports boat storage for members. In determining storage availability the club considers the following:

Owners Status and Standing

• Paid up Member (not just waiting for a space before joining)
• Participation in Club Activities; working bee attendance a minimum
• Sailing Activity (is the boat just parked or sailed?)
• Type of Boat

Is it of a class that we are seeking to expand in the club to achieve good class racing? Eg: Lasers, Jollyboats, Taipans, Hobie 16, Sabots etc.

Whilst we are not exclusively a racing club, we may need to be selective due to the very limited storage space available. Members may sail any boat they wish, but are encouraged to choose a class that has a current fleet at the Club.

Type of Space Available

• Only some parts of the shed and some parts of the yard are suitable for some types of boat.
• Cats are considered too large to go in the shed although monos can be stored inside.
• Smaller Cats being stored with the mast down could obtain extra space outside.

Existing Spaces

If a boat is sold the space may be transferred with the boat until the expiry of current annual ‘lease’. At the end of that time the new owner or member must join any existing waiting list

Applying the Criteria

PMYC Member Private Function Bookings and Venue Hire Agreement
[as at May 2010]

Download PDF of Agreement for Printing

1. DOWNSTAIRS AREA

Function Catered by Peter Rowland Catering
For bookings with Peter Rowland Catering please phone 9646 9599 and they will look after all aspects of your function. Please be aware that all PMYC members receive a 12% discount on all food and beverage.

Self Catered Functions       
Bookings are to be made through Michael Broise and then Michael will contact Peter Rowland Catering to book the space.

Please note that NO THIRD PARTY CATERER IS PERMITTED ON THE PREMISES. 
If catered by a third party, the food must be brought on to the premises by the member.

Fees
$500.00 venue hire fee – to be paid to PMYC office administrator
$250.00 bond – to be paid to PMYC office administrator
$155.00 cleaning fee [an additional cleaning fee may be charged if extra cleaning is required; see cleaning and rubbish removal] - to be paid to Peter Rowland Catering

Peter Rowland Catering Staff
Attendance of Peter Rowland Catering representative for the complete duration of the function, including set up and pack down is required. This person is on the premises to assist with using the kitchen equipment and packing away the storeroom and venue correctly. This staff member is not there to serve food and beverage; however they will assist with the use of kitchen and venue equipment.
Staff rates are as follows;
Monday – Friday     $38.00 per hour
Saturday & Sunday     $40.50 per hour
Public Holidays         $56.00 per hour

The hire fee and bond must be paid to the club administration officer, Margaret Tormai, within 10 days of the booking, or the booking may be cancelled. 
The fees due to Peter Rowland Catering must be paid 10 days in advance of the event date.

Security
A registered security guard is also required for the whole duration of the event.
Security rates are as follows;
Monday – Friday     $40.00 per hour
Saturday & Sunday     $45.00 per hour
Public Holidays         $60.00 per hour

We recommend that you use Newbreed Security and this can be arranged through Peter Rowland Catering.
The gate must be attended at all times by the security guard when open or unlocked. Please also make sure the gate is shut and locked at all times in the pre and post function time frames. Entry and exit by non members or function support vehicles before and after the function must be supervised by the responsible PMYC member.

Facilities
Include heating, air conditioning, use of Peter Rowland chairs and tables. Standard use of kitchen includes food warmer/s, dishwasher, bench space, refrigeration and cutlery.
No glassware or crockery including plates, platters, tea cups, saucers or linen are to be used.
The function chairs and tables must NOT be used in any outside areas including the decking.
They must be returned and stacked in the storage room after use. There are a small number of outdoor chairs and tables available for outdoor use.
Liaison with on site Peter Rowland representatives regarding use of the venue and facilities well before the event is mandatory.
Access to the storage area may require a special key.  Please check this matter with the Peter Rowland Catering staff at PMYC.

Damage or Loss
The customer will be held financially responsible for damage or loss sustained to any items in the facilities, or to the facilities, however caused, by the customer, its servants, officers, contractors, guests, members, patrons, invitees or any other persons associated with them.

Smoking
Port Melbourne Yacht Club is a non-smoking venue. Provision is made for smokers in designated areas. Clients are asked to ensure that their guests dispose of their cigarette ash, butts and matches thoughtfully, using ashtrays provided.
Any costs arising from the setting off of smoke detectors, whether by unauthorised smoking, or as a direct result of activity generated by the function, will be borne by the client unless caused by the actions of Peter Rowland Catering.

Function venue hire and sailing activities
Sailors frequently require boat and driveway access.  Minimise disturbance in this regard by keeping the driveway clear as much as possible.  In particular, if you are setting up for a function on a PMYC calendar sailing day, vehicle access should be minimal and restricted in the afternoon to the 2.00pm to 4.00pm time slot, and then after 6.00pm. 

Bookings
Other than Peter Rowland catered functions, all bookings are handled initially by PMYC via Michael Broise.  Michael can be contacted on 03 9376 5491 (AH) or via email mbroise@ozemail.com.au
At initial contact Michael will arrange a provisional booking date and email you a copy of the venue hire agreement. The booking will not be confirmed until monies covering the venue hire fee and bond have been received by PMYC. These monies must be paid in full within ten days of the provisional booking, or the booking and function may be cancelled. .

General Advice
Some days prior to the function the booking member is advised to liaise with the on site Peter Rowland representatives regarding general aspects of venue use and in particular instruction regarding the use of heating, air conditioning, food warmers, dishwasher, ovens etc if these are required.  Please note that even though your function is non PRC catered, their on site representatives are always friendly and helpful. Take the opportunity to benefit from their experience and so enhance your function.
If you will need access to the kitchen or table and chairs storage areas, make sure you have or arrange to have the appropriate key.  

Cleaning and Rubbish Removal
Post function floor washing and polishing will be performed by a contract cleaner.  All other aspects of cleaning and rubbish removal are the responsibility of the booking member. Discarded glassware, empty bottles, and food scraps should be placed in the plastic bins situated at the front of clubhouse.

Evening functions - The venue must be cleared and cleaned by 8.00am the following morning.
Daytime functions - The venue must be cleared and cleaned immediately after the function.

Venue Malfunction
In the event of serious utility malfunction, failure or emergency please contact Geoff Graco 0417 371 497 or Michael Broise 0413 886 060. 

Onus / Responsibility
The booking member is responsible for all aspects of security. Any damage or breakages incurred in relation to the event is the responsibility of the booking member, who must make good or pay for any such damage or breakages.  

Exclusions
The venue is not available for 18th birthday parties.

2. UPSTAIRS AREA

This is the club lounge area and is not available for exclusive use for private member functions. However member chaperoned use of the area for small gatherings and meetings is encouraged [less than 20 adults].
Bookings are made via Michael Broise.
The venue booking fee is $60 and must be paid to the administration officer, Margaret Tormai, within 10 days of the booking.
Security is the responsibility of the booking member.  The gate should not be opened or left unlocked unless a member is in attendance at the gate. 
Clean up/waste removal etc is the member's responsibility.  A cleaning fee may apply if the venue is left in a poor state of cleanliness.
No vehicles are to be parked in the driveway.

POLICY: Healthy Eating

HEALTHY EATING IS A VITAL PART OF GOOD HEALTH.

The major causes of death in Australia, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, non insulin dependent diabetes and obesity are all associated with the food we eat.  Port Melbourne Yacht Club acknowledges that healthy eating can have an impact on our health and the provision of healthy foods will contribute to better health.  PMYC undertakes to implement the actions outlined in this policy.

CATERING

• The caterers will provide a variety of healthy food choices


• Healthy foods will be prominently displayed

These will include:


• No added salt
• Water, plain mineral water 100% fruit juices, diet soft drinks and low fat milks
• Increased plant foods-fruit and salad ingredients
• Decreased fats - limit fried foods, limited range of pastry items, minimal spreads on bread, and salads without dressings
• Lean meat and chicken in sandwiches, low fat dairy products, limited variety of confectionery, potato chips, corn chips and cheese snacks
  

   

The HEALTHY EATING POLICY will be reviewed annually to ensure that the document remains current and practical to the Club’s requirements

POLICY: Sun Protection

The health of club members is a primary concern for Port Melbourne Yacht Club

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, with two out of three people experiencing some form of skin cancer during their lifetime. It is acknowledged that skin cancer is a preventable disease and that Port Melbourne Yacht Club will implement a preventative strategy including the following actions.

SCHEDULES.

While it is not possible to schedule activity outside the hours of 1100 and 1500, the club emphasizes to members the high risk at this time.

SHADE

The Club will maximize the use of natural shade provided by buildings.

CLOTHING

The club will promote sun protective clothing for participants and officials.
This includes:

• Shirts with long sleeves and a collar
• Brimmed hats whenever practical
• Sunglasses for eye protection

SUNSCREENS

SPF 30+ or higher sunscreens will be provided at the Club. Prior to boat rigging and racing members will be encouraged to apply sunscreen to exposed body part. The Club will make sunscreen available for sale to members and spectators.

EDUCATION

The club may provide skin cancer educational sessions to increase awareness of this health issue among club members.

Event programs, newsletters and announcements during events will be used to maintain awareness of the issue and to prompt sun protective behaviour
Club officials will act as suitable Sun Smart role models.

The Sun Protective policy will be reviewed annually to ensure that the document remains current and practical to the Club’s requirements.

POLICY: Responsible Alcohol

Responsible drinking means drinking alcohol in a way that does not harm the drinker or others.

ALCOHOL SERVING

Port Melbourne Yacht Club promotes the moderate consumption of alcohol in a safe and comfortable environment.

EDUCATION & KEY MESSAGES

• PMYC will not serve alcohol to underage persons.
• Bar staff will not serve persons who appear to be affected by alcohol.
• Responsible and safe consumption of alcohol is recommended.
• The Club encourages Members to ensure their friends do not drive after drinking excessively.

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