Community Engagement

SSCBC’s Community Engagement Program continues to be an important part of our longstanding relationship with our local community. We engage with local schools as well as other community organisations to provide on-water and off-water programs throughout the year, as well as allowing other local groups to utilise our Clubhouse facilities, as detailed below.

Schools Program (Balcombe Grammar, Baxter Primary School, Keilor Park Catholic Regional College, Sorrento Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School).

Each year, primary and secondary school children from around Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, conduct their beach programs at SSCBC. Some attend the Portsea Camp; a local facility for disadvantaged, special needs and rurally isolated children. On their final day the students join us at SSCBC for an experience to visit the seals and dolphins. The Club also provide the students, teachers and volunteer members with a BBQ lunch on the lawn when they return from the water. Through the Club’s strong affiliation with the Friends of Collins Settlement, Club volunteers guide the students through the settlement, providing them with an understanding of the local history.

SSCBC also supports St Joseph’s Primary School by hosting their annual Oaks Day fundraiser. This sold out event generates significant funds for the local school.

Class Associations

SSCBC regularly provides usage of the Club training facilities and resources to accommodate class associations to run workshops, training and high performance sessions.

Club tower usage for on water safety and observation

SSCBC Members volunteer their time to oversee the safety and on management of our class fleet, Dinghy Sailing, Junior Sailing and Specialised training sessions.

Community Meetings

SSCBC hosts a number of community meetings at the Club, such as the Fire Services Commission and Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.

Conference Facility

Some of our sponsors have enjoyed the bonus of conducting a staff meeting or conference at SSCBC. During our quieter months, groups have set up a conference environment in the Dining room, with tv screen, white board, buffet lunch and morning and afternoon tea. It’s certainly a beautiful location for a staff conference!

ISAF Sail Melbourne

The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Sailing World Cup, part of the Sail Melbourne regatta, is the Oceanic leg of the International Grand Prix series for Olympic class boats. Sail Melbourne has 800 competitors from 30 countries competing in 29 classes on six courses. Delivering this event is clearly beyond the resources of any single club. The organisers have for several years invoked the support of the other major clubs around the bay, generally teaming two or three clubs to manage a course. SSCBC is regularly asked to step up and run one of the major courses using our own resources.

Up to 30 of our Members willingly provide their time and resources to represent SSCBC at this prestigious event. Held in December over 5-7 days, the SSCBC Race Management team deliver a virtually flawless job in all weather conditions, which recently earned the highest praise from the senior ISAF representatives. Our preparation, training and delivery of race management was assessed as among the best to be found anywhere in the world – and the response from the 49er, 49er FX, RS-X Men and Women for the quality of racing provided by our team on Charlie Course was most gratifying. It is especially worth noting that our dedicated and committed Flag Officers lead from the front line in addition to their other commitments of time for the Club.

Ladies Long Lunch

On a summer’s day in early January, during the peak season at SSCBC, our Members organise the annual Ladies Long Lunch, held in the SSCBC Dining Room. This is a sold-out event which raises funds for a women’s charity every year through silent and live auctions, donations and raffles. Attendees are treated to a three course lunch, a glass of Pommery on arrival, live entertainment and guest speakers.

Charities supported in the past include:

2022 – Mornington Peninsula Foundation

2021 – No event due to COVID

2020 – Mums Supporting Families In Need

2019 – Mary Jane Lewis Scholarship Foundation

2018 – Maddie Riewoldt Foundation

2017  – Ovarian Cancer Australia

2016 – Rosebud Women’s Refuge

2015 – Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club Patrol section

2014 – Rosebud Hospital

2013 – Sorrento Wig Library

2012 – Maddie Todd

Powerboat Handling Courses for Secondary Students

Each year, groups of students from Padua College and Rosebud Secondary College both spend 10 days at SSCBC undertaking a powerboat handling and marine safety program. The students are instructed in both theory and on-water rules, regulations and boat handling. The culmination of this course is the passing of their licensing requirements to obtain a recreational boat license. A Committee Member from SSCBC attends the Annual Excellence Awards night for Rosebud Secondary College to present a scholarship to those who have achieved notable results during the Outdoor Education Program. SSCBC also hosts the end of year Christmas celebrations for the staff of Padua College.

Close Working Relationships With Other Local Organisations

SSCBC is proud of its close relationships with other local sailing clubs, including Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron and Rye Yacht Club. We share best practices and collaborate to conduct on-water activities that meet the needs of each of our Clubs. This spirit of goodwill enables us to work together to benefit the sport of sailing and bring together our community.

SSCBC is privileged to assist the children who attend The Portsea Camp. SSCBC Members volunteer their boats and time to provide the children of the camp with boat rides, some of whom have never been on the water before. They thoroughly enjoy their time on Port Phillip Bay, in particular their visit to the seals (and often dolphins) on Port Phillip Bay.

SSCBC supports the Portsea Foreshore Advisory Group and the Sorrento Foreshore Advisory Group, by welcoming them to conduct meetings at the Club. SSCBC also attends the annual ANZAC Day commemoration dawn service and supports the Portsea Sorrento RSL. SSCBC supports the Southern Peninsula Probus group, who provide activities for our semi and fully retired locals to assist them in maintaining an active mind and healthy lifestyle. The Probus annual Christmas celebrations are held at the Club, along with frequent meetings throughout the year.

SSCBC hosts the Annual General Meeting of the Sorrento Red Cross and provides morning tea to those in attendance who work tirelessly for the needs of others in our community.

SSCBC hosts its annual golf day at Sorrento Golf Club before returning to SSCBC for lunch and prize giving, supporting local organisations where possible.