Vale – Peter Clancy (ORCV Life Member)

The ORCV community is saddened to farewell Peter Clancy, a man whose voice will be well known to many in our sailing family.

From 2006 to 2014, Peter was quite literally the voice of the ORCV, providing 24/7 HF and VHF radio coverage, listening, and running skeds for every offshore race. His routine communications were a reassuring presence. Establishing the call sign “Ocean Racing”, his voice across the airwaves and signature sign-off became synonymous with safety to our sailors.

During the 2012 Melbourne to Port Fairy race and the Inception rescue, Peter was vital to the operation’s success, staying on call and supplying critical information to the rescue, which saved six sailors.

A passionate sailor himself, Peter owned a Boomerang 22 and was an active member across Beaumaris clubs before retiring to Gippsland.

Beyond the radio room, Peter was well known and much loved across the sailing community, with many knowing him personally through his 20 years at Anchor Marine Chandlery and often asked for when visiting given his incredible knowledge.

In recognition of his commitment and impact, Peter was awarded Life Membership of the ORCV in 2013, a fitting honour for a man who gave so much of himself for the success of others.

His funeral will be held at Bunurong Memorial Park on Thursday 4th December at 12.00 midday. The service will be video streamed via this link https://www.smct.org.au/upcoming-services

Peter signed off every transmission with the words “Ocean Racing Out.” Today, we say them for him, with gratitude.

Vale, Peter Clancy.

“Ocean Racing Out.”

Annual General Meeting

Dear Members

We would like to invite you to the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) Annual General Meeting.  It will be held online on Tuesday 14 October 2025 from 7.00pm - 8.00pm.

The General Committee will update you on the year that was and will provide an insight into the year ahead. Trophy and associated presentations were held at our Annual Presentation and Awards Night in June this year.

Nominations for General Committee positions were open until 30 September. No elections were required and therefore, no electronic voting was required. Please see the detail below, including the outline of ORCV flag officer and General Committee member job descriptions.

We look forward to the annual general meeting of members. Refer below for details of how to join the online meeting.

Cyrus Allen
ORCV Commodore

Important Dates

• Deadline for nominations for General Committee Positions 5:00pm 30 September 2025
• Deadline for nominations for Honorary Membership 5:00pm 30 September 2025
• Voting will be held online between the 9 October and 13 October 2025, if required
• Proxy voting forms must be received by 6.30pm, Monday 13 October 2025
• AGM – 7:00pm Tuesday 14 October 2025, online

Meeting Link

The AGM is being held online using MS Teams.

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 428 038 608 944 9

Passcode:  Gm6yG6bK

Meeting Documents

• Agenda for 40^th Annual General Meeting - click here
• Minutes of 39 ^thAnnual General Meeting -   click here
• 2025 Proxy Voting Form - click here
• 2025 Annual Financial Statements and Audit Report -  click here

Meeting presentation & draft minutes

• ORCV 40th Annual General Meeting Presentation -  click here
• Draft minutes of the 40th Annual General Meeting -  click here

Other Documents

• 2025 Nomination Form for General Committee - click here
• Member Statement in support of General Committee nomination - click here
• ORCV Officer and Committee Job Descriptions - click here
• 2025-2026 Nomination Form for Honorary Membership - click here

2025 Beyond the Bay Program

This is a resource page for those enrolled in the 2025 Beyond the Bay Program.

Please bookmark this page as additional resources will be added throughout the Program. For Program dates, please click here.

Workshop 1 - Introduction and course overview

2025 BTB Workshop 1

Weather for Sailors Course

Click here to access the Weather For Sailors resources page. 

Fundamentals of Navigation

Click here to access the Fundamentals of Navigation resouces page.

Workshop 2 - Practical Radio Course

BTB 2025 Radio Overview & Distress Calls

BTB 2025 DSC & AIS

Workshop 3 - Boat & Equipment Preparation

 BTB 2025 Workshop 3 Boat Compliance & Safety Equipment

Workshop 4 - Route planning & Boat preparation

Date: Wednesday 27 August 2025

Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Online via MS Teams

Presentation -  click here

Overnight Bay Sail

Notice of Event (NOE)

 2025 ORCV BTB Overnight Sail NOE V1 

Sailing Instructions (SIs)

2025 ORCV BTB Overnight Sail SIs V2

2025 ORCV BTB Overnight Sail SIs V1 (superseded)

Log Sheet

2025 BTB Overnight Bay Sail Status Log

Cat 4+ audit checklist

2025 BTB ORCV Cat 4+ Audit form

Crew allocations

 2025 Beyond the Bay Overnight Bay Sail Crew Allocations v3 - Excel spreadsheet

 2025 Beyond the Bay Overnight Bay Sail Crew Allocations v3 - PDF

Yachts entered

ORCV Overnight Bay Sail 2025 ~ Sept 2025 ~ T E S

TopYacht Entry - for Skippers

Skippers are required to enter their boat in TopYacht if they intend to participate in the 2025 Overnight Bay Sail.

Click here to enter via TopYacht.

Create / Amend your TopYacht crew profile

For the Overnight Bay Sail, all skippers and crew are required to have a current TopYacht crew profile.

Click here to create or amend your TopYacht crew profile.

Click here to access the crew compliance webpage which contains helpful information and resources.

Overnight Sail Weather briefing

Date: Thursday 11 September 2025

Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Online via MS Teams

Workshop 5 - Route and Passage Planning Part 2

Date: Wednesday 1 October 2025

Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Online via MS Teams

Presentation -  click here  

Bass Strait Coastal Sail

Notice of Event (NOE)

 2025 ORCV BTB Coastal Passage NOE V1 

Sailing Instructions (SIs)

2025 ORCV BTB Coastal Sail SIs V1 (Superseded)

2025 ORCV BTB Coastal Sail SIs V2

TopYacht Entry for Skippers

Skippers are required to enter their boat in TopYacht if they intend to participate in the 2025 Bass Strait Coastal Sail.

Click here to enter via TopYacht.

Yachts entered

ORCV Bass Strait Coastal Sail 2025 ~ October 2025 ~ T E S

Crew allocations

 2025 Beyond the Bay Bass Strait Coastal Sail Crew Allocations v2 - Excel spreadsheet

 2025 Beyond the Bay Bass Strait Coastal Sail Crew Allocations v2 - PDF

QCYC Berthing Information

Berthing arrangements at Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club 

QCYC Club Handbook - click here

QCYC booking form - click here

QCYC Trybooking payment form - click here

WhatsApp Group chat

Click here to join the WhatsApp Group chat

Local Chandlery Helping Young Sailors Take on Meaningful Roles Offshore

Will Baum didn’t grow up in a sailing family—but that didn’t stop him from falling in love with the sport. At 12 years old, he was “thrown into a cadet” and never looked back. By 16, he was working in a local marine store, and over the next few years, he threw himself into dinghy sailing, laser racing, and eventually offshore keelboats.

He rebuilt his first keelboat, a 1977 half-tonner called Too Farr, with his dad—an experience that taught him not just boatwork, but the grit and community behind sailing. After years of racing and working in the industry, the opportunity came during COVID to take over the family business. What started in a cramped 20-square-metre office has since grown into Discount Yachting Marine Supplies (DYSC), now one of Victoria’s largest independent marine suppliers.

Will delivering his Sydney 32 from Sydney to Geelong

But for Will, it’s never just been about selling gear.

“Sailing gave me my first job, my first mates, and the confidence to do hard things,” he says. “Now I want to make sure other people—especially young sailors—get the same chance I had.”

That’s why Will and DYSC, for the last three years, has been proudly sponsoring the ORCV Winter Series and investing in programs that make offshore sailing more accessible, more inclusive, and safer for the next generation.

Why Support the ORCV Winter Series?

For Will, backing the 2024–25 ORCV Winter Series made perfect sense. It’s a race series that’s about more than results—it’s about growth. The destination races challenge crews, while the return legs are designed to give novice sailors the chance to take the lead.

“I love that part of it,” says Will. “It’s an opportunity for new people to step up, try new roles, and really learn. On our boat, there’s no judgment—we don’t just stick someone on the rail. We get them on tactics or the main and give them a proper go.”

That hands-on, inclusive mindset is what DYSC is all about.

Investing in Youth, Not Just Gear

It’s one thing to say you support the next generation. It’s another to actually make it easier for them to get started. That’s why DYSC partnered with ORCV to create the ORCV Next Gen Ocean Racing Starter Kit, the first of its kind in Victoria—a discounted gear pack designed to remove financial barriers for young offshore sailors.

“We don’t want cost to hold anyone back,” says Will. “This is about giving young sailors a fair go.”

Where it all begin. DYSC smaller 20 sqm space before the expansion. (Photo provided by Will Baum)

Food, Gear, and the Essentials That Matter Offshore

Will knows that gear alone doesn’t make a great sailor—but it sure helps when it’s the right stuff. That’s why DYSC has expanded well beyond basic supplies.

They’ve recently started stocking On Track Meals, a high-quality freeze-dried food range that’s quickly becoming a favourite among offshore crews.

“They’re tasty, they’re compact, and when you’re tired or seasick, they’re easy to eat,” Will explains. “It’s one of those simple things that can actually make a huge difference to morale and performance.”

And for those who take their gear seriously, big news is on the way: DYSC is about to launch the largest in-store Musto range in Victoria.

“We’ve teamed up with Musto to give our customers access to the best wet weather gear around,” says Will. “Whether you’re heading to Hobart or just want to stay dry on Port Phillip, we’ve got you covered.”

It All Comes Back to Community

DYSC may have grown into an 800-square-metre operation, but Will still sees it as a community business at heart. He’s a sailor first, and that’s reflected in everything they do—from pricing and product choices to youth sponsorships, event support, and the way they treat every customer who walks through the door.

DYSC's newly expanded floor space. Photo provided by Will Baum 

You’re just as likely to get a tip about how to rig your boat as you are to get help finding the right safety gear. For Will and his team, it’s never just about making a sale—it’s about building trust, supporting the sailing community, and helping people feel confident on the water. That commitment extends behind the counter too—Will actively employs young people in his chandlery, giving them firsthand exposure to the marine industry and the skills that come with it.

He’s also a strong believer in the basics. One of his go-to recommendations? A good safety knife. “It’s not just for the foredeck. I always keep one in my lifejacket. They’ve come in handy more times than I can count,” he says.

His own sailing journey is a big part of that perspective. In 2025, Will took part in the Apollo Bay Race as navigator—a role that brought everything full circle.

“I’d done the ORCV courses and it was the first time I got to really apply that training under race conditions. It gave me the confidence to step up.... It’s our turn now to give that back and help the next generation come through.”

And that’s what drives every decision behind DYSC—whether it’s supporting the Winter Series, offering youth discounts, or launching new partnerships with brands like Musto and On Track Meals. It all comes back to helping people get out there and enjoy what sailing has to offer.

DYSC's stock now covers the full boating range. Photo provided by Will Baum 

Entries Close July 31

If you’ve been thinking about joining the ORCV Winter Series, now’s the time. Entries close here on Thursday 31 July , and the event offers something for everyone—from those just starting their offshore journey to crews fine-tuning their skills for bigger races ahead.

“Whether you're young, experienced, or somewhere in between,” says Will, “the Winter Series is a great place to challenge yourself, meet great people, and be part of something that builds sailors—not just race results.”

Melissa Warren/ORCV Media

His First Race, a Baptism of Fire — Now He’s ORCV Ocean Racer of the Year

It’s not often you see Cameron (Cam) McKenzie lost for words. But when his name was called as this year’s ORCV Ocean Racer of the Year, he looked genuinely stunned.

“I was very honoured,” Cam said later. “And to be honest, surprised. Especially with Greg Patten, Rod Smallman, Dylan Oosterweghel in the mix—great sailors who’ve done a lot for the sport.”

That’s typical Cam: quick to deflect credit, and always pointing back to the people around him.

“It’s never just about one person. Ocean racing is a team sport, through and through. I couldn’t have achieved anything without the people I’ve been lucky enough to sail with.”

1999 M2H Presentation, Cam 3rd from left at the top holding trophy- Photo provided by Cam 

A Godfather, a Keelboat, and a Spark That Caught Early

Cam didn’t come from a sailing family. His parents weren’t sailors, and dinghy club weekends weren’t part of the plan. But what he did have was Joe Hall—his godfather, a life member at Mornington Yacht Club—who took him and his sister under his wing as teenagers.

While most kids his age were starting out in dinghies, Cam jumped straight onto a keelboat. Before long, he was trimming sails and racing on the bay, completely hooked.

By the time he was 21, he’d scored a spot on Paladin, a Farr 40 racing the 1990 Melbourne to Hobart. His very first ocean race, with Nigel Jones as the then youngest Melbourne to Hobart skipper.

“It was a proper baptism of fire,” he reflected. “We started in heavy weather under trysail—blowing like mad at Portsea—and just as we were getting underway, unfortunately the boat next to us, Animal Farm, sank right on the start line.”

He remembers the chaos, the wind, the speed. A 2.2-ounce kite was up off Maatsuyker Island and the boat screamed along at 20 knots.

“I was just blown away. From that moment, I was all in.”

They went on to win that race—his very first Hobart.

Cam with Joe Hall, Cam’s godfather who introduced him to sailing - Photo provided by Cam

24 Hobarts Later…

Fast-forward a few decades and Cam’s offshore resume is extraordinary. 24 Hobarts. 15 of them Sydney to Hobarts, plus three ORCV East Coasters and six ORCV Westcoasters. He’s raced on icons like Sword of Orion, Goldfinger, Paladin, and Cadibarra 7 (now Alex), Cadibarra 8 and Simply Fun.

Along the way, he’s sailed alongside legends—Nigel and Don Jones, Peter Blake, Kate Mitchell, Charles Mehrmann, Peter Sajet & Phil Coombs. But what he remembers most isn’t the silverware. It’s the culture those boats fostered.

“Every one of them built strong, fun, team environments. That stuck with me. That’s what we try to create on Ginan—a place where people enjoy the journey, where friendships grow, and where there’s always space for someone new.”

Especially young sailors.

Cam has quietly mentored a generation of offshore hopefuls. Sailors like Jack Vermer and Dan Laverty started by doing deliveries when they were too young to race. We made room for them. Gave them a chance. Even his own son, Will, did a Hobart delivery on a TP52 at just 14.

“It’s about showing them what’s possible. Sometimes all it takes is one trip to light the spark.”

Ginan Melbourne to Hobart 2022 team photo. Cam's son, Will is far right at the back- Photo Jane Austin/ORCV Media

Lessons From the Sea

If you’ve ever raced with Cam, you’ll know he’s serious about preparation. Boat maintenance, safety, crew readiness—it matters. But he also knows the sea doesn’t always play by your rules.

“The ocean’s taught me a lot. You can’t control everything. What matters is how you respond. You’ve got to be adaptable, keep a clear head, and just keep moving forward.”

He credits much of that mindset to the people around him—his teammates, his mentors, and his biggest supporter of all: his wife Jo.

Paladin winning team photo 1990 Melbourne to Hobart (Cam tallest at the back – Skipper Nigel at front) - Photo provided by Cam 

What’s Next for Cam?

Between races, Cam and Jo are heading to Europe for a well-earned break—some relaxed cruising with old friends in Greece, and a bit of racing in Sweden.

Well he and Ginan successfully secured the bragging rights to this years Discount Yachting Marine Supplies Winter Series , and he’s already looking ahead to the next Sydney to Hobart.

Solo racing? Not likely.

“I love the team side of it too much. That’s where the magic is.”

He grins when asked about the Melbourne to Osaka.

“You never know. Might be on the cards one day.”

Congratulations, Cam. A well-deserved honour for a sailor who not only races hard, but lifts others along the way.

Paladin 1990 Melbourne to Hobart roaring along across bottom of Tas with 2.2 Ounce kite up - Photo provided by Cam

Melissa Warren/Media ORCV