2014 Yachting Victoria Awards

ORCV Website and Facebook Team Nominated for Media Award

Yachting Victoria’s 2014 awards have recognised the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Website and Facebook Team as a finalist in the category of Media and Publicity.
The ORCV is a very unique yacht club, in that exists for the purposes of conducting Ocean races, training for blue water sailing and promoting safety in all sailing activities. Whilst unencumbered by a marina or a bar, one of the challenges is that the membership is diverse and dispersed. The club is blessed with exceptional volunteers who bring their own particular skills to bear on the communication issues. We are very grateful for the assistance of all our Website and Facebook Team volunteers, which currently includes: Robert Bradley, Peter Chalkley, Janet Clarke, Simon Dryden, Matt Fahey, Steb Fisher, Donald Fraser, Rik Head, Robin Hewitt, Jennifer McGuigan, Nick McGuigan, Ian MacWilliams, Neville Rose, Ray Shaw, David Taylor, Bob Tanner, Martin Vaughan, John Weatherley and Sally Williams.

The ORCV web site is primarily used to communicate our sailing and training programs; though this activity is aimed at the existing membership, it is also available to the wider sailing community.  The web site has become a ‘Go To’ site for those seeking training and practical assistance.
During Ocean races all boats carry GPS trackers which allow the web site to display a boats location, direction, speed and current provisional placings. This combined with the strong Facebook presence allows family, friends and Media to access up to date information in real time, significantly enhancing the experience of those that are following the races. The consequence of this has seen a large increase in the reach of our events locally and internationally. The Facebook page comes alive during races with informative comments and witty remarks regularly being posted by participants, family and friends.
The addition of photos and video directly from the yachts bring the experience to a computer screen anywhere in the world. They display the joyous, the scary and the funny, sometimes embarrassing a few but informing the many.
A special Facebook page was established for the ultra long Double-Handed distance race, Melbourne to Osaka, and the success of the 2013 Osaka Facebook Page is a testament to the power of Social Media.
Whilst sailing is and will always remain a challenging spectator sport, the innovative use of GPS trackers and Social Media has brought and continues to bring the ORCV to a wider audience.

The Winner of the 2014 Yachting Victoria Media and Publicity Award will be announced at the 2014 OTB Marine Yachting Victoria Awards on Friday 20th June  at SYC.

By Jennifer McGuigan