Following standard British and colonial naval traditions adopted by early Australian yachting communities, official club members wore distinct dark navy blue reefer jackets or blazers, with buttons displaying the club's monogram, during formal functions, dinners, and off-water events. The St Kilda Yacht Club arose from the formation of the St Kilda Sailing Club in 1876. The club was renamed the St Kilda Yacht Club in 1884. In April 1924, King George V bestowed the title 'Royal'. In 1961 Queen Elizabeth II approved the change of name from Royal St Kilda Yacht Club to Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron.Raised round brass button featuring club insignia, with hook attachment.SKYCroyal melbourne yacht squadron, st kilda yacht club

Upper and Lower Esplanades St Kilda with Sea Baths to right and Catani Memorial Clocktower and Vaults to the left, taken from St Kilda Yacht Club. black and white postcard, good conditionUpper and Lower Esplanade, from St Kilda Yacht Club, Post Card, Rose Series, p.2082, printed: 'a real photograph'

Between pier and St Kilda Yacht Club, taken from Esplanade Hotel, c1905black and white photograph, unmounted copy, fair conditionThe first foreshore reclamation work between the pier and the royal St Kilda Yacht Club, taken from the Esplanade Hotel about 1905. Wall Bros., 15 Chapel St, St Kilda. D.J. Taggart 58 Glenhuntly Road, Elwood 3184.

Donated August 25, 1956 by Edward Lumley and Sons (Vic) Pty Ltd, for Annual Competition between all yachts on the Club register. It was first raced January 16 1957, and won by Graham Drane skippering Commodore Otto Meik’s, Paula. Trophy when later provided for by New Zealand Insurance Company donation, was reallocated for a combined divisions result using V.Y.C. handicaps over three races:- ‘W.T. Crosbie Memorial’, ‘Cactus Cup’ and ‘Service Shield’.A Trophy which includes a Chronometer, Barometer and Thermometer mounted in a 155mm diameter Brass Semi Spherical gimbled setting and mounted on 110mm high, six sided tapered brown base with oblong winners inscription plaques attached to faces.PRESENTED TO ROYAL ST KILDA YACHT CLUB FOR ANNUAL COMPETITION 1956edward lumley, trophy, perpetual

“The Squadron’s Most Prestigious Trophy” THE CACTUS STORY Years ago a story was told of a Donkey which lived in the desert. The standard of living was poor, and the main course on the menu when things were tough was cactus. The Donkey accepted the good with the bad, and in bad seasons it was always cactus. One day during his wanderings he came to a high fence. On the other side of the fence was lush grass and all sorts of vegetation and animals in prime condition. The Donkey said to a horse, “things look good in there, how does one get in”. The horse said “go down to the end of this fence, and you will come to a gate, there will be someone at the get, ask to get in”. The Donkey went to the end of the fence, found the gate and asked to get in. The horse at the gate said, “what do you want to come in for, all of us are geldings?”. The Donkey said “if that is the case, it is back to the cactus for me”. It was during the early stages of the great depression of 1929-1932, that this story was simulated to the conditions at the then Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club, when during the yachting season there were very few trophies due to the lack of money. A lot of members were out of work, and each Monday many would front up for the jobs that were offering or those who missed out went back to the dole or as many put it “Back to the Cactus”. The “Cactus Cup” race, to be free of entrance fees, was an idea conceived by H.A. (Toby) Armstrong, soon to be backed by Bert Bryant, Ivor Bowles and Jim Thorpe. It was First sailed March 25, 1922, when 9 yachts on sealed handicaps, raced over a 5 mile rectangular course for a small Trophy donated by Jim E. Thorpe and the winning crew of the yacht Helen, skippered by D.Dowse, entertained at a café after the race by the instigators of the race. The next contest was April 12, 1930, for another small trophy also donated by Jim Thorpe, and the crew of the winning yacht Petrel, skippered by Stan Gamble, later on having to arrange for a mussel supper to the extent of Trophy money at an informal musical evening held in the spar room. From then on races for the Cactus Cup became an annual event. In time the format was changed to result in the crew of the first winning yacht having to collect mussels from the pier on the first Saturday of July, cook and prepare them for a no charge informal supper and entertainment evening held in the spar room, towards which the Club provided a keg of Beer. Member Bob Ellis had a special song for the occasion, “Up at Tumba Bloody Rumba shooting Kanga Bloody Roos”. Jim Thorpe then agreed to purchase a Perpetual Cup to be named the Cactus Cup. As guest of honor at the Cactus Supper Evening, May 1940, a dinner suit function in the Spar room, he presented the Cup along with Replica to Barney Snider who won with Eun-Na-Mara. Soon entries became few, for reason nobody wanted to win because of the penalty of having to collect, cook and prepare the mussels. In the interest of the contest and its revival, it was decided that the crew of the last yacht to finish had to collect, cook and prepare the mussels. On the death of Jim E Thorpe in 1944, the trophy, along with its annual replicas, were then provided for by Ivor Bowles until his death in 1970. In time for reason of pollution, the collecting of mussels from the pier was discontinued, so Otto Meik the new provider decided that the format be changed and be replaced by a supper on the day of the race, consisting of bottle mussels, beer and frankfurts. Following the death of Otto Meik in 1979, with no provider for the trophy of replicas, the Squadron in the early 80’s broke tradition by introducing race entry fees. In 2006 the Cactus Cup Tradition was reinstituted by a donation from J.H. (Bert) Ferris – RMYS historian. The Cactus Cup is now free to enter once again for all. The race is run early and a late afternoon feast of mussels and frankfurts is eaten afterwards.Deep sectioned Silver Cup, 300mm high to lip, tapering to thick plain stem flaring out to stepped footing, has two shaped handles. Silver Lid with Donkey positioned on shaped dome. Overall height 110mm. Cup stands on 145mm high round black base with stepped footing, surrounded with Silver winner inscription band.ROYAL ST. KILDA YACHT CLUB PERPETUAL CACTUS CUP INAUGURATED 1922 INSTIGATED BY H.A. ARMSTRONG ESQ. ORIGINAL CUP PRESENTED BY J.E. THORPE ESQ.cactus cup, trophy

Showing St Kilda Pier, St Kilda Yacht Club boat shed, Burke's Whisky and Burke's Stout signage.black and white photograph, unmounted copy, fair condition

St Kilda Sea Baths, Yacht Club, Catani Tower, crowded beachblack and white photograph, unmounted, original, good conditionSt Kilda Beach

St Kilda Sea Baths, Yacht Club, Catani Tower, Alfred Sq 1970s modernist tower block, beach in foregroundblack and white postcard, unmounted, original, good conditionA View on the Beach, St Kilda.Vic

Originally presented to the St Kilda 14ft Sailing Club in memory of Hon Life Member, Past Commodore Charles Marshall of the Royal St Kilda Yacht Club and long time President and Honorary Life Member of the 14ft Sailing Club. It was first won season 1954-1955 by Noel Brooke skippering the 14-footer dinghy Charles Marshall. On the disbanding of the Dinghy Club in 1966, the trophy was re-donated to the RMYS for competition in the Off-the–beach Heron Class, First won by A. Neale with Gypsy. On the decline of the Heron class it was then re-allocated 1970-71 for the Gwen 12 Class to be first won by Geoffery and Phillip Hughes with Concorde II. Season 1975-76 it was allocated for a combined division event over three heats to be won by Hugh Kesterton with Cygnet. Later it was allocated for 1st, 2nd and 3rd divisions aggregate over the Watts, Bennell and Dick Lean races based on the VYC handicap system. Again amended to be awarded for best result gained in the Bert Watts, Doc Bennell and Dick Lean events as a series.Silver fully rigged racing sloop, mounted on shaped rectangular wooden base, 250 x 140mm, with silver shaped description plaques centred both sides. The whole is enclosed in a Glass case with silver winners inscription plaques attached around base of case.CHARLES MARSHALL MEMORIAL TROPHY PRESENTED TO ST KILDA 14FT SAILING CLUB BY MR & MRS HUGH. S. HAWES. 1955 CHARLES MARSHALL MEMORIAL TROPHY PRESENTED TO ROYAL MELBOURNE YACHT SQ FOR THE HERON CLASS BY MR & MRS H. S. HAWES. 1966trophy, charles marshall, memorial trophy

THE WHEEL OF HMAS SYDNEY COMMEMORATING AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NAVAL ENGAGEMENT The historic wheel of HMAS Sydney commemorates the Royal Australian Navy’s first ship- to- ship naval engagement. It was purchased early in 1930 and later presented to the Royal St Kilda Yacht Club (now Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron) by then Commodore Joe White, following HMAS Sydney being broken up at Cockatoo Dock, Sydney. On 1 November 1914, led by the flagship SS Orvieto, a large convoy of 28 Australian and 10 New Zealand transports escorted by the Light Cruisers HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Sydney, HMS Minotaur and the Japanese ship Ibuki, departed King George Sound, Albany Western Australia with a large contingent of Australian and New Zealand troops bound for Egypt, to become the original Anzac’s. As the convoy steamed northwest across the Indian Ocean, leaving Cocos-Keeling Islands well to the westward, Captain Karl von Muller in the German Light Cruiser Emden of 3,600 tons, after having wrought much havoc to allied shipping in the Indian Ocean, ignorant of the convoys presence, had in mind to destroy the Cocos Island Cable Station on Direction Island. In the early hours of the morning of Monday the 9 November, he anchored “Emden” off Direction Island to send a landing party ashore, In the meantime the Cable Station had sent out a Morse Code message ‘Strange ship approaching’, this was followed soon after by a ‘S.O.S.’ These messages were picked up by ships in the convoy and at 7.00 a.m., Captain J.C. Glossop of the 5,400 ton HMAS Sydney was directed to leave the convoy and proceed at full speed for Cocos Islands. Two hours later Cocos Island was on the horizon. Captain von Muller, with the boarding party ashore to destroy the Cable station, steamed out to intercept the intruder. Captain Glossop decided to close in to 9,500 yards ( 8686.8m) before delivering his first salvo. Emden on the other hand, opened fire at 10,500 yards (9601m), its ten, 4.1 inch (104mm) guns firing 38 pound (17.24 kg ) shells, some of which scored near misses. Emden was hit repeatedly by HMAS Sydney’s eight, 6 inch (152.4mm) guns firing 100 pound (45.36kg ) shells. Within two hours Captain von Muller had decided to run the badly damaged Emden aground on North Keeling Island. Captain Glossop then broke off the engagement to speed off to intercept Emden’s collier, “Buresk”, seen lurking in the distance, soon to overtake her. A boarding party from HMAS Sydney was too late to prevent Buresk from being scuttled but able to rescue her crew. Returning to finish off Emden, HMAS Sydney was again met by heavy gunfire. Sydney scored a number of direct hits to Emden and only after having suffered 134 killed and 65 wounded, did Captain von Muller finally decide to lower his Naval Ensign. He was among those captured and was allowed to retain his Naval sword. In the engagements HMAS Sydney only suffered four direct hits, 4 killed and 12 wounded. J.H.(Bert) Ferris Extremely significant as part of Australia's Naval and Military history.Ships wheel, timber, mounted on a timber plinth, wheel of ship first HMAS Sydney.Plaque notifying that wheel donated by Commodore Joe White 1930ww1, sydney, german, hmas, raider, emden, cocos keeling, islands, hmas sydney, wheel

In 1961, George Venables resigned after 38 years of faithful service to the Club. He spent the first 21 years as Head Steward, the remainder as Secretary, a position that in his latter years became Secretary/Manager. Prior to leaving, he presented to the Club the Quadrant once owned and used by his father when one of the Navigating Officers aboard H.M.V.S. Cerberus. This was to lay idle in as cupboard in the Office until one day seen by then Commodore Les Nangle, who decided to put it to good use. Following being mounted in a case, July 1969, it was allocated as a trophy by Commodore Les Nangle. Originally it was for a Distance event for 1st Division and One-Design Classes, with the first event season 1969-70, being from St Kilda to Mornington, won by Brian Morris skippering the Diamond Class yacht, Vulpine. In an endeavour to raise interest in Twilight events for both the racing and Club revenue, the trophy was re-allocated, December 1990, for a Combined Club and Classes, including Trailerable yachts, Mid-Week Summer Twilight Pursuit Series, held on consecutive Wednesday’s, commencing January 1991, of seven, later amended to nine heats without spinnakers, initially with trophies awarded after each heat. The best five results to count, contested in accordance with the VYC handicapping system. Trophy was first won Season 1971-1972, by Roy Duncan with his Tumlare, Marie, From 2007 onwards the contests were amended to allow for at least seven heats to be set in the race calendar with a minimum of 5 heats to be conducted to constitute a series. Seventy percent of results to count for the series scores when the number of heats exceeded ‘Five’.Brass quadrant upon coastal chart, enclosed in a glass fronted wooden case. Silver winners inscription shields attached around edge of case.L. A. NANGLE PERPETUAL TROPHY THIS QUADRANT IS OF THE TYPE USED BY THE EARLY AUSTRALIAN NAVIGATORSl.a. nangle, perpetual, trophy

In 1904, at the initiative of Premier Thomas Bent, Victorian Railways was authorised to build an electric street railway from St Kilda to Brighton. The line opened in early 1906 and was one of Melbourne's first electric tram services. On Saturday 5 May, 1906, Premier Thomas Bent performed the opening ceremony of the St Kilda to Brighton electric tramway at the Brighton Terminus, presided over by Cr. Thomas Wilson, Mayor of Brighton, with refreshments following at the Brighton Yacht Club. About 60 representatives were in attendance including the Railway Commissioners and the mayor and councillors of St Kilda, Brighton and Caulfield. The newspapers of the day commented that the cars were the best yet seen in Australia, possessing a great advantage over the Sydney trams, in that they are easily entered, and the glass windbreak was another improvement in design. The tramway from St Kilda to Brighton terminus took 18 minutes, including stops. thomas bent, premier, cr. thomas wilson, mayor, electric railway, electric tram, st kilda, brighton, official opening, public transport

The Department of Crown Lands and Survey (1857-1983) was responsible for the administration of survey and mapping and the sale, occupation and management of crown land throughout its existence. This aerial photograph shows parts of Brighton and was taken on 1 December 1976brighton, department of crown lands and survey, aerial photograph, bayside, port phillip bay, map, cartographic material, melbourne project 1976, brighton yacht club, middle brighton baths, north road, st kilda street, new street

This dress was worn in a pre-racing season fashion parade held in October 1974 by Pearl's Boutique, a well-known fashion boutique that operated in Brighton from 1965 until 2005. Paula Folks, the store's manager at the time, recalled that this parade had been loosely red, white and blue themed in honour of Princess Anne's wedding to Mark Phillips, which took place on 14 November of that year. The parade was likely held at Tudor Court in Caulfield, a popular reception venue. Pearl's Boutique was established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula Folks joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Full-length blue jersey evening dress with round neckline and long sleeves. Cuffs edged with blue-grey ostrich feathers. Zip at back.Label: "Van Roth / REGD". Labels on side of inner zip: "100% POLYESTER" / SIZE 14 / TO FIT / BUST 90cm / WAIST 70cm / HIP 95cm".pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, van roth, melbourne designers, flinders lane, 1970s

This cape was worn in a pre-racing season fashion parade held in October 1974 by Pearl's Boutique, a well-known fashion boutique that operated in Brighton from 1965 until 2005. Paula Folks, the store's manager at the time, recalled that this parade had been loosely red, white and blue themed in honour of Princess Anne's wedding to Mark Phillips, which took place on 14 November of that year. The parade was likely held at Tudor Court in Caulfield, a popular reception venue. Pearl's Boutique was established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula Folks joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Full-length bright pink rayon jersey cape with pink ostrich feathers around the collar.pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, 1970s

This dress belonged to Brighton local Paula Folks, who wore it to her niece's wedding at St John's, Toorak in 1970. It also bears a second connection to Brighton through the label, Elegance, a Flinders Lane fashion house co-owned by Rudy Brill and Brighton resident Robert Salter. Paula was a longtime manager and owner of Pearl's Boutique, a well-known local fashion boutique established by Elsebe Wilhelmine Wills and Pearl Murray in 1965. The two friends had grown up together in Horsham, and decided to go into business together after reading in Fashionweek that women in their thirties, forties, fifties and older had trouble finding young-looking styles. Setting out to fill this gap in the market, they established a store at 240 St Kilda Street, near the Brighton Yacht Club, with Elsebe handled the buying while Pearl fronted the shop. They moved to 40 Church Street, Brighton in 1967. Paula joined the business as a manager in 1968, became a partner in 1971 and took over from the original owners in 1988. When she closed the boutique in 2005, she donated a number of garments to Brighton Historical Society. Reflecting fondly on her 38 years at Pearls, she told The Age, "I have enjoyed all my days here because people are special to me. I love fashion. It's been a pleasure to dress people, to make them look good and feel pleased with themselves."Cream terylene chiffon dress with all-over daisy appliqués. High band collar with v-shaped scoop at back. Sheer long sleeves with gathered cuffs.Label: "miss Elegance / TERYLENE".pearl's boutique, pearl's of brighton, paula folks, 1970s, flinders lane, melbourne designers, robert salter, rudy brill, miss elegance, elegance