Sea Scouts

2024 update

I just wanted to thank for supporting a great activity last weekend both with your can-do attitude and providing the opportunity for the Rovers to stay at Sandringham, but also for providing access to the Rovers to the RS Quest for the weekend. The RS Quest was a great boat for this multi-day sailing expedition. Building the fleet of Quests at the State Sailing Team provides scouts across the state with the opportunity to have their first taste of sailing at the “try sailing” days, and they are also perfect boats for our older and more experienced sailors to extend their sailing skills!

As a leader, it was wonderful to be able to support the Sea Scout Rovers from Everest Le Page Rover Crew (Beaumaris), Wilson Sea Rovers (Ivanhoe) and Rosebud Sea Scouts on the two-day sailing expedition! 

This event was dreamt about by the Rovers when we were all together at our sailing camp on Bunga Arm in January. The journey was planned and run by the Rovers, with support from experienced leaders across Melbourne.

Day one saw the crews launch at Williamstown and make their way to GSWAC at Sandringham. Day two they sailed from Sandringham to 1st Beaumaris Sea Scout beach.

As you’ll see from the photos the trip started in thick fog and not a breath of wind!

A bit of towing and a bit of a local tour was enjoyed (well I think they enjoyed it - there was a bit of cheekiness from some!) until the fog lifted and the wind filled in.

Gentle and scenic sailing down the bay past Middle Park, St Kilda, Elwood and Brighton followed, with the RS Quest and the Botterill 16 arriving at Sandy midafternoon.

We picked our way through both the St Kilda and Brighton keel boat fleets with the Rover crews holding their nerves and their lines while on starboard! Very proud, as it can be a bit intimidating in a little dinghy with such large-keel boats coming your way! 

There were lots of smiles and waves from the crews on the keel boats!

It was great to be able to stay overnight at the fabulous facilities at GSWAC.

Day two saw the crews head off from Sandringham morning once again on light air and bright sunshine and arriving at the 1st Beaumaris Sea Scouts boat shed for a late lunch. 

With light southeasterly winds, the race was on! The crews picked their wind lines and tacking down they bay. They were so close at times that the port boat had to give way! So much fun! 

It’s so great to watch our Rovers across Melbourne develop these higher-level sailing skills! What great skill and capabilities we are building for the future.

Thank you again for all that you and the team do, both in providing new, safe and fit for purpose sailing craft but also for allowing us to dream big!

Anna Brazier
Boating Quartermaster & Trainee Cub Leader
1st Beaumaris Sea Scouts

2023 update

“The RS Quest was a great boat for this multi-day sailing expedition. Building the fleet of Quests at the State Sailing Team provides scouts across the state with the opportunity to have their first taste of sailing at the Try Sailing Days, and they are also perfect boats for our older and more experienced sailors to extend their sailing skills!

“This event was dreamt about by the Rovers when we were all together at our sailing camp on Bunga Arm in January. The journey was planned and run by the Rovers, with support from experienced leaders across Melbourne.

“Day one saw the crews launch at Williamstown and make their way to GSWAC at Sandringham. Day two they sailed from Sandringham to 1st Beaumaris Sea Scout beach.”

Anna Brazier
Boating Quartermaster & Trainee Cub Leader
1st Beaumaris Sea Scouts

2020 Update

“In early 2020, the Sea Scout section of Scouts Victoria took possession of their two new PWCs. These two replacement PWCs are identified as Yamaha VX Cruisers and are to be used as shallow water rescue and sailing coaching aids. As State Leader for Sea Scouting I again sincerely thank the trustees of The Geoffrey Evans Trust for their continued support and financial assistance given to the Sea Scout section of Scouts Victoria. Without this assistance it would have been difficult to offer the water-based activities we do, Modern up-to-date equipment assists us in so many ways, especially health and safety, paramount within any organisation.”

David Bryar, State Leader, Sea Scouting

Open Bics donated by the Geoffrey Evans Trust to the Victorian Sea Scouts Association.

The photos below show the Open Bics in operation at Nillahcootie, Victoria.

At this event, the Brass Monkey Regatta, organised by Scouts Victoria, youths learnt the fundamentals of sailing.

The Geoffrey Evans Trust has also assisted Victoria Sea Scouts in purchasing a new safety boat and trailer, for the use of all Sea Scouting groups.