OUR HISTORY
The Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken
Bay is not only a club of distinction, but
a club with a rich history of growth and
significance in the Pittwater region.
Originally the club was formed as a
branch of the Motor Yacht Club of
NSW Rose Bay, which was purchased
early in 1927 at the present site in
Horseshoe Cove, Newport.
His Majesty King George V conferred
the right for the Motor Yacht of NSW
Rose Bay, to use the prefix “Royal”.
Subsequently the Broken Bay branch
became the Royal Motor Yacht
Club. The official opening of our first
clubhouse, boat shed, wharf and
slipway took place on 17th March 1928.
The original clubhouse was built close
to the seawall and was enjoyed for
many years by members and the local
boating fraternity. However, a fire
brought forth new ideas and planning.
In their re-thinking, club executives
decided the second clubhouse should
be built further back, thus allowing
cars to be parked between the
seawall and the building alignment.
In 1939 the land on the eastern
side was bought for $200, thereby
increasing the overall waterfrontage
to approximately 500 feet. After the
war, building and improvements
continued gradually. On 15th March
1959, the swimming pool was opened
and membership had grown to 354
active members. The club was fast
becoming known as the “family club”
where members could relax, swim and
boat with family and friends.
1966 was perhaps the beginning
of many mammoth constructions.
Commodore Alan Leslie (Life Member
1970) could see only future growth
and development for the club and
many successful projects were
undertaken during his four years of
leadership. The building of a new
clubhouse started in April 1966 and
was built around the old clubhouse,
thus preserving the past with its fond
memories. The official opening took
place on 17th August 1968 and was
performed by Lady Cutler, the wife of
Patron and NSW State Governor, Sir
Roden Cutler.
The demand for cruisers, runabouts
and sailboats was astronomical, as
was the demand for marina berths, dry
storage and moorings. The southern
marina with 91 berths was built in 1966.
In July 1978, the first pile was driven for
the western marina with 103 berths.
The 1990’s saw many improvements to
club facilities.
The first clubhouse and wharf
The official opening in March 1928.
On the 8th October 2000, a fire
caused extensive water and smoke
damage throughout the clubhouse.
RMYC clubhouse in 1934
4
www.royalmotor.com.au