Club History

In 1946, a breakaway group from Marmong Point Sailing Club decided to establish a new club on the point at Booragul. The name Teralba Amateur Sailing Club was chosen because, at the time, the club’s location was still known as First Street, Teralba, and the businesses in the area were based in Teralba – which was also thought to make it easier to attract sponsorship.

 

A lease was obtained and, with a £1,400 grant from the Coal Board, a group of volunteers built Teralba’s first weatherboard clubhouse over the water. It had a timber ramp at the front and racks three boats high inside.

Over the decades the clubhouse grew and changed along with the club, eventually becoming the familiar white weatherboard building that many Teralba sailors will remember. Then, in August 1993, disaster struck. An arson attack destroyed the clubhouse, causing around $500,000 of damage. Twenty-one boats were lost, including six club Sabots, two rescue craft, Skates, NS14s and VJs. Also gone were irreplaceable trophies, photographs and pieces of the club’s history. The loss was particularly heartbreaking because the club had endured years of vandalism and had only recently spent around $150,000 renovating the clubhouse.

But Teralba wasn't finished. The club continued operating while the new clubhouse was built, helped enormously by the generosity of the local community. The Boolaroo Rugby Union Club provided facilities, while Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club, Sulphide Welfare and Morisset Golf Club also provided assistance. A Portacom supplied by Sulphide became Teralba’s temporary clubhouse until April 1994. Insurance covered most of the rebuilding costs, with club fundraising making up a shortfall of around $20,000.

Just one year after the fire, members celebrated the opening of a new brick-and-steel clubhouse, this time set back from the water.

And look at us now. From a little weatherboard building sitting over the lake to the clubhouse and magnificent rigging area we enjoy today, an enormous amount has changed in 80 years. But one thing hasn't – Teralba has always been built and kept going by its volunteers.

That continues today, with our members contributing to improvements including new support boats, painting, refurbished bathrooms, canteen upgrades and four new air conditioners. 80 years on, we're still here – and still sailing.