The Governor of Victoria, Alex Chernov, was in Williamstown last Friday to officially open the new $4.5million clubhouse at the world’s oldest continually running motor yacht club.
The Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club in Nelson Place has replaced its former clubhouse, built in 1956, with a double-storey nautical-style building.
It includes a members area, function centre, meeting rooms, outdoor deck, lawn and barbecue area
Members pitched in money and took out a loan to build the clubhouse, which had been about 15 years in the planning.
“As far as the community goes, I think what it has done is focus community attention on the club itself because of its location,” club secretary Don Healy said.
“Certainly we have noticed an increase in the number of Williamstown residents who are either joining the club or using the facility as guests of club members.”
The motor yacht club now has more than 300 members.
“I’d have to say we were very grateful to the Governor for giving his time to open the building,” Mr Healy said.
The old single-storey timber clubhouse was opened in 1956 by Lady Brooks, wife of then-Victorian Governor Sir Dallas Brooks.
