Shepparton Sailability

Shepparton Sailability is based on Tom Collins Drive at the southern end of Victoria Park Lake, Shepparton, alongside the city's canoe, rowing and triathlon clubs. It's a local not-for-profit, self-funded community service that aims to develop sailing skills in people of all ages and abilities in a safe and secure environment.

The program uses Access yachts, which sit low to the water with a large working area, so sailors can board and get off without getting their feet wet, and wheelchair users can transfer safely using a lift crane. Sailing runs in terms (Term 1 in 2026 ran from 3 February to 26 March). Bookings are made through sailabilitybookings@gmail.com, and general enquiries can go to shepsailing@gmail.com or Roy Hill on 0438 570 549.

It's truly for everyone. The program welcomes people with disabilities, people from different cultural backgrounds, retirees and even toddlers. Each participant heads out with a volunteer, usually for two 30-minute sails on a session day. Volunteers don't need sailing experience, and demand often exceeds the number of volunteers, so new helpers are always welcome.

See our Shepparton sailing clubs page for more.

Shepparton Sailability offers an inexpensive, safe way to learn to sail. Its fleet of six two-seat Access yachts is designed for learning: they're stable, sit low to the water and have a large working area, so sailors can concentrate on steering and trimming rather than balancing the boat. An instructor sits alongside each sailor. A motor boat supports every session, with volunteers keeping an eye on the fleet and providing towing, coordination and rescue if needed.

Sailing runs in terms through the warmer months, traditionally on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and bookings are essential. Each participant usually gets two 30-minute sails.

Volunteers are the backbone of the program, and volunteering is a great way to give back to the community while learning sailing skills yourself. No sailing experience is needed to volunteer, and all genders and abilities are welcome.

The program sails from Tom Collins Drive at the southern end of Victoria Park Lake, in the heart of Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley. The lake is calm and sheltered, which makes it ideal for new sailors, and the surrounding parkland is popular for walking, cycling and picnics. Shepparton Sailability shares the southern end of the lake with the Shepparton Canoe Club, Shepparton Rowing Club and Shepparton Tri Club.

The lake has a long recreational history. The area was once a swamp and grazing paddock, reserved as a public park in 1900 and named Victoria Park in 1901. In 1929 the council created the artificial lake for rowing, motor boats, canoes and swimming. Today the park covers 43 hectares, and the lake remains a flat, safe stretch of water for sailing in the middle of town.

Shepparton Sailability was founded around 2011 by Roy Hill, who still leads the program as president. It's grown into a well-equipped community program with a fleet of six Access yachts and a support boat, funded through its own efforts and community support. It's affiliated with Australian Sailing and is part of the national Sailability movement.

Community partners have been vital. The Shepparton Lions Club funded the program's pontoon, and when the rescue boat needed a new outboard motor, costing more than $3,000, the Shepparton Lions Club and the Australian Lions Foundation shared the cost. Volunteers like Derek Edge, involved since the program began, have kept it running season after season, and it has become a much-loved part of Shepparton's community life.