History

The Vintage Boats Association, now the Goolwa Vintage Boat Club, shares its early history with Australia's longest continuous sailing club – Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club Inc. Pre-fibreglass, pre- diesel, pre-locks and barrages, there were sails raised on fishing boats and challenges raised at the pub bar which ended...at the pub bar. Some of those original boats launched in the 1800s are still on the water and competition remains fierce on the reaches of the lower Murray around Goolwa. We're in the process of digitising records and painting an image of those early days when pioneers and paddlesteamer crews and captains tested their mettle. And also of those latter years when the wooden boat sailors started to do their own thing (see the letter below). Most of our information has been provided by long-time club secretary and record-keeper Geoff Byrnes. Any other contributions are most welcome. Contact us here: https://www.revolutionise.com.au/goolwavintageboats/contact