Cairns history: Memories of Cairns Yacht Club’s parties, dances and demolition

With ocean views and a dance floor considered the best in town, this Far North venue had a cohort of followers so staunch they clung on tightly to their beloved club even as it was torn down.

WITH million-dollar ocean views and a dance floor widely considered the best in the Far North, the Cairns Yacht Club had a cohort of dedicated followers, some so staunch they clung on tightly to their beloved building even as trucks and machinery were moved in to tear it down.

Although the club was demolished 13 years ago, many Cairns residents still reminisce on the good old days when they partied the nights away at the popular waterfront venue.

Former regular Angela Murphy who lives in Freshwater, said the yacht club, which was dismantled in 2008 amid community uproar, was irreplaceable.

The historic Cairns Yacht Club was located on the waterfront in Cairns city, where it operated in one form or another from 1908 onwards. The club closed its doors for the final time and was demolished in 2008.

“It was one of those really special places in Cairns and a lot of people who grew up in Cairns knew it and loved it,” Ms Murphy said.

“It had a special place in people’s hearts, it was a real tragedy (when it closed).”

She said she missed sitting on the veranda and looking up at the sky on a full moon night.

“So many people told me how they met their future wife there and how many people had conceived their children under the verandas,” Ms Murphy said.

While the Cairns Yacht Club organisation did move to another location, she said it was never the same again.

“When you have an institute building, that is history that you can’t replace” she said.

“Keeping bits of it and moving it somewhere else isn’t the same.”

Regulars shimmy the night away at the Wharf St club’s last dance before it closed its doors forever.

The Cairns Yacht Club has a rich history dating back to 1908 when the Cairns Aquatic Club was first formed.

In 1920 the clubhouse was destroyed by a cyclone but after that it was reconstructed with piles of recycled materials and volunteer labour.

In 1945 it transformed into a real entertainment centre where thousands of Far North residents had parties, dances and during the day members and visitors would meet for drinks.

Multiple name changes occurred when it was called the Cairns Sailing Club in 1958, then later changed back again to the Cairns Yacht Club in 1977.

Councillor Di Forsyth joined the protest over the Cairns Yacht Club by climbing onto the roof. She was later arrested and taken to the Cairns watch-house and charged.

Protester Bryan Law, who died in 2013, lies on the ground in front of the Cairns Yacht club in protest its demolition

In 2002 the building was nominated for the Queensland Heritage Register and was accepted by the heritage council. This however did not mean the building would stay.

When the club is mentioned, fun and parties spring to the forefront of most longstanding residents’ memories, along with a twinge of sadness at the club’s eventual demolition.

In 2008 the building was dismantled – some of the remains were moved to James Cook University at Smithfield.

Prior to this, the club’s downfall began in 2003 when the Cairns Port Authority hired heritage consultant Gordon Grimwade, who found that there was no heritage value in the building.

Many people objected to this, so an independent assessor was brought in and found the only significance was “social”, but this was not enough to save the club, which was subsequently removed from the register.

In 2006, a petition was launched which gained 4849 signatures and was presented to Queensland Parliament.

In 2008 it was relaunched and garnered 10,133 signatures.

When the building was finally demolished, protesters staged a last-ditch attempt to stop the machinery from tearing apart their beloved club – some rallied from the rooftop while others lay on the road in front of trucks.

Ultimately, their attempts to save the club were unsuccessful, but the memories remain.

Share your memories of the Cairns Yacht Club in the comments below!

Originally published as Cairns history: Memories of Cairns Yacht Club’s parties, dances and demolition