![NEW CRAFT: Ballarat City councillor Sam McIntosh joins Charles Weatherly, John McKean, junior sailors Haymes Risby and Joe Herbertson, and BYC commodore Neville Bilney to christen sailability program craft "Bert". NEW CRAFT: Ballarat City councillor Sam McIntosh joins Charles Weatherly, John McKean, junior sailors Haymes Risby and Joe Herbertson, and BYC commodore Neville Bilney to christen sailability program craft "Bert".](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/mTvP5NhWJFQFv7uTytgxtB/704a7962-490f-4a4a-aec7-65abb3856e95.JPG/r613_0_4183_3285_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A full lake, healthy breeze. It was the perfect start to the new sailing season for Ballarat Yacht Club on Saturday.
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![BRIGHT SKY: Commodore Neville Bilney welcomes guests, including Ballarat Yacht Club's oldest life member Bill Dunstan, to opening day. BRIGHT SKY: Commodore Neville Bilney welcomes guests, including Ballarat Yacht Club's oldest life member Bill Dunstan, to opening day.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/mTvP5NhWJFQFv7uTytgxtB/7d559274-df9f-463f-9e37-fe6270c352bd.JPG/r0_526_3931_3286_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Commodore Neville Bilney and Ballarat City councillor Sam McIntosh led the season opening day ceremony as members and visiting sailors basked in ideal spring conditions at Lake Wendouree.
![FIRE: Sovereign Hill redcoat Matthew Bourke signals the start a new sailing season for Ballarat Yacht Club on Lake Wendouree. Pictures: Luka Kauzlaric FIRE: Sovereign Hill redcoat Matthew Bourke signals the start a new sailing season for Ballarat Yacht Club on Lake Wendouree. Pictures: Luka Kauzlaric](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/mTvP5NhWJFQFv7uTytgxtB/dd42ac7c-8e60-4e2d-ae19-e0fceb817145.JPG/r186_0_4862_3285_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Bilney said the 141-year-old club had made considerable progress in the past few years, with membership doubling and the redevelopment of its base into a successful restaurant and community hub.
He said the club had also introduced 500 people to the sport over the past year.
The opening day also featured the presentation of a club life membership to Charlie Weatherly, Christening of two boats – sailability program craft “Bert” and “The Great Go Getter” for club member David Wilson – and a ribbon cutting to open the new “Commodore’s Lounge”.
Sovereign Hill redcoat Matthew Bourke fired off a muscat to signal the beginning of the 2016-17 season and pace the way for an official sail past.