World-class Victorian Sailing Centre opens in Geelong

Friday, 16 May 2025

Geelong today establishes itself as Victoria’s premier sailing destination and training ground for the next generation of sailors with the official opening of the Victorian Sailing Centre thanks to the Allan Labor Government.

This centerpiece of Geelong’s revitalised waterfront will host local, national, and international regattas while serving as an unparalleled education facility for government secondary school students across Victoria.

Member for Geelong Chris Couzens officially opened the final component of the $26 million first stage of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbor Project today alongside representatives of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club and the City of Greater Geelong who partnered to fund the project.

The state-of-the-art new sailing hub features modern training rooms, upgraded changing facilities, multipurpose spaces, a classroom, communications facilities, offices, workrooms, short stay accommodation for up to 48, and a publicly accessible Changing Places facility – enabling people of all abilities to fully enjoy Geelong’s waterfront.

The Victorian Sailing School, operating as a second campus of Newcomb Secondary College, will make the centre available to government secondary students weekdays during 40 weeks of the school year.

The opening of the Victorian Sailing Centre marks the completion of the first stage of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbor Project. This includes the construction of the floating marina arm that provides additional berthing space, opened in 2021, and Wangim Walk, one of Australia’s longest on-water walkways.

The Labor Government is the majority funder of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Project, with additional contributions from the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, the City of Greater Geelong and the Australian Government as part of the Geelong City Deal.

Quotes attributable to Member for Geelong Chris Couzens

“This is a wonderful part of the revitalised waterfront precinct that will not only help Geelong to host premier sailing events it will support first class education and training programs for Victorian students.”

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney

“We are proud to be delivering this facility which will help students from all over Victoria experience sailing and learn vital water safety skills.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant

“This new Victorian Sailing Centre is positioning Geelong as Victoria’s home of world-class sailing.”

Quotes attributable to Royal Geelong Yacht Club Commodore Paul Buchholz

“This world-class facility elevates our capacity to deliver premium sailing education and positions Royal Geelong Yacht Club as a central hub for both community connection and international competition.

From local programs to world championships and the iconic Festival of Sails, this centre is a game-changer, not just for our members, but for the entire region.”

Quotes attributable to City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM

“It’s fantastic to have the Victorian Sailing Centre here on Geelong’s foreshore. As home to our state’s oldest sailing race and as a city with a rich nautical history, Geelong is the perfect location for the Victorian Sailing Centre.”

“The opening of the centre marks yet another key milestone in the delivery of the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Precinct.”

Quotes attributable to Newcomb Secondary College principal Scott McLeod

“We are very privileged to have this state-of-the-art facility in a fantastic location on the Geelong Waterfront that provides a sailing experience to not only students of Newcomb SC, but all state secondary school students throughout Victoria.”

Actual figures for the contributions to the Geelong Waterfront Safe Harbour Project – of which the Victorian Sailing Centre is a part: