Queensland

Place: Cairns Yacht Club            

Threat: Demolition

CLUB, QLD

Significance of Place:

The Cairns Yacht Club is highly signifi cant to the people of Cairns, having been used as a popular dance hall and social centre for decades. While the current building dates from 1920, an earlier building on the same site had performed the same function.

The Club is signifi cant as a sporting centre for the North Queensland region, being one of the major centres for sailing in the region, and the only one still in its original site. The Club has been responsible for training a number of sailing champions, and has hosted a number of regional, state and national championships.

The Club demonstrates a common pattern in sporting history: the use of a building both as headquarters for a sport and as a recreation centre to raise revenue. However, it also raised funds for charitable purposes and staged send offs and welcomes to servicemen and women in both World Wars. The club assisted with the defences of the port of Cairns during WWII.

Description of Threat:

The Cairns Port Authority (formerly the Cairns Harbour Board) has indicated it intention to demolish the Yacht Club so the land can be sold for re-development.

Action Required

Inclusion on the Queensland Heritage Register, and urgent discussion with local authorities to retain this socially significant place for the people of Cairns.