Regatta takes to the water

The Docklands Regatta is set to return to Victoria Harbour next month and offers a great opportunity for Docklanders to celebrate the water.

The regatta was revived from colonial times last year by the local boating community to draw attention to what is considered the heart and soul of Docklands.

Lady Cutler skipper Jeff Gordon said this year’s event, on Friday, September 13, would  be opened to the public, with Melbourne’s charter boats open to corporate groups who wished to participate.

“We want to turn it into a massive, water-borne celebration of what Docklands is all about,” Mr Gordon said.

He said 15 charter vessels were offering hospitality packages for all tastes and budgets.

“It’s going to be a great fun day,” Mr Gordon said.  “There will be the traditional blessing of the fleet and then cruises down the river and even over to Williamstown to see the tall ships.”

The first Melbourne Day Regatta was held on August 30, 1838, in celebration of the Enterprize arriving with Melbourne’s first settlers onboard three years earlier in 1835.