Please select your home edition
Edition
HKJ YY Leaderboard

Festival of Sails - $10,000 donation kick starts appeal in wake of cancelled fireworks

by Jessica Gabites 22 Jan 2020 07:53 GMT 25-27 January 2020
Festival of Sails 2019 © Salty Dingo

The Royal Geelong Yacht Club (RGYC) has announced it will contribute $10,000 to kick-start a 'Festival of Sails' bushfire appeal in the wake of cancelling its traditional Australia Day Fireworks show, next Sunday January 26.

While the fireworks display is normally one of the highlights of the MacGlide Festival of Sails, Chairman Stuart Dickson said today that given the recent bushfires which had devastated much of Australia, the club decided last week to cancel the 2020 fireworks out of respect for the tens of thousands of victims of the fires and Australia's volunteer firefighters.

"We think this year, the bush fire victims should be the focus of our attention on Australia Day and so we're delighted to launch this new fundraising campaign as an initiative of the MacGlide Festival of Sails," he said.

"The Royal Geelong Yacht Club has donated $10,000 to kick off the campaign and we hope that the Geelong community will now join us in our fundraising efforts for this very important cause to support these Australian families who are so desperately in need of help."

Mr Dickson said he was delighted that Geelong Connected Communities (GCC), which presents the Waterfront Festival during the event, had already stepped forward, offering even more help.

"It's really heartening that Geelong Connected Communities partners - Harwood Andrews and AWA Alliance Bank - have already stepped up to add another $17,500 to the pot. It's a fantastic start and we are incredibly grateful!"

All funds raised will go to the Salvation Army National Bushfire Appeal, with 100 per cent of all donations going directly to those families and communities impacted by the fires.

More than 3000 competitors and support crew - on as many as 300 boats - will descend on Geelong this week to participate in the MacGlide Festival of Sails, which opens with the spectacular 56km Passage Race from Williamstown to Geelong on Saturday.

While the fundraising will be a key focus on Australia Day, there will also still be a host of entertainment all day, as well as a special 'Waterski Light Show Spectacular' from 9pm in the original fireworks display timeslot. This special night-time show can be best viewed from Steampacket Gardens and Cunningham Pier.

"We know what a wonderfully generous community Geelong is, and we hope that local families and businesses will do what they can to support this appeal," said Mr Dickson.

"All donations are tax deductible and we're aiming to double our current pledges and get well over the $60,000 mark, so we're urging everyone to get behind us."

To donate, please see these details. Donors need to use their names as a reference on the transaction to be provided with a tax receipt, if required.

Related Articles

King of all wins at Festival of Sails 2025
246 boats, 1100 sailors, 100,000 visitors and close to twenty divisional champions crowned The Festival of Sails 2025 wrapped today from the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. It was quite the spectacle, with 246 boats, 1100 sailors, 100,000 visitors and close to twenty divisional champions crowned post racing. Posted on 27 Jan
Over 500 Try Sailing at Festival of Sails 2025
One of the largest learn to sail programs in Australia's history One of the largest learn to sail programs in Australia's history took place as part of the Festival of Sails 2025. Free "Come & Try Sailing" sessions on 25 January and 26 January officially sold out, with over 500 participants. Posted on 26 Jan
Longevity shines in Melbourne to Geelong Race
The 182nd Passage Race started under the cannon of the STS Young Endeavour The 182nd Nautica House Festival of Sails Passage Race from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club started under the cannon of the STS Young Endeavour. Posted on 25 Jan
STS Young Endeavour to lead the charge
As official start boat for Festival of Sails 2025 The 2025 Festival of Sails will open with a truly historic spectacle, as the iconic tall ship STS Young Endeavour is announced as the official start boat for the 182nd Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race. Posted on 3 Jan
Festival of Sails 2025 Program Announced
The Geelong Waterfront will be buzzing for three unforgettable days The Festival of Sails is back for 2025, and this year's program promises to be bigger and better than ever! From world-class sailing action to an exciting line-up of music, food, and entertainment, the Geelong Waterfront will be buzzing. Posted on 12 Dec 2024
Festival of Sails concludes with parade of colour
Some big jumps in standings across all nine divisions Festival of Sails 2024 concluded its 181st edition with a day of shifty, lighter winds that saw some big jumps in standings across all nine divisions. Corio Bay was awash with colour as the courses spread the fleet across the inner and outer Harbours. Posted on 28 Jan 2024
SheSails & Youth at the Festival of Sails 2024
SheSails & Supporters breakfast, and a presentation with the local Cadet fleet Festival of Sails had a women and youth sailors focus on day two, bookending the racing with the SheSails & Supporters breakfast, and a presentation with the local International Cadet fleet. Posted on 27 Jan 2024
181st Festival of Sails Passage Race
200-strong fleet challenged with high winds and a steep, confused sea state The 181st Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race challenged the 200 strong fleet with high winds and a steep, confused sea state. Posted on 26 Jan 2024
Festival of Sails overall
Winners declared at another successful event A grey sky, light breeze and showers prefaced the final day of Royal Geelong Yacht Club's 2023 Festival of Sails, but nothing was going to wipe the smiles from competitors faces, particularly those who were still in the running for trophies Posted on 29 Jan 2023
Festival of Sails Day 3
Tricky conditions fool some - but not all Day 3 at the Festival of Sails was a hot one with breeze up and down and from all directions, the wind turning south with more pressure after most were ashore Posted on 28 Jan 2023