Most students and many parents and community members will have noticed and wandered about the curious sculpture like object take shape behind the woodwork room at Bayview. 

It is in fact a 26 foot six inch traditional “Couta Boat”. The design of this sail boat has evolved over at least a century of thinking about and experimenting with what kind of vessel best met the needs of barracouta fishermen in Port Phillip Bay and coastal Victorian waters. Early in 2006 Steve Cook and Arthur Bersee, the newly arrived woodwork teacher, looked at the possibility of building boat which would do justice to the College’s maritime profile. After all, the College has an anchor as its symbol and “Holdfast” as its motto. Then of course there is also the highly successful Cadet Sailing Program and the fact that many Willy staff members are experienced sailors.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, a couta boat was the obvious choice. Though couta boats are no longer the main stay of the local fishing industry, they have grown in stature and popularity as a racing and recreational vessel. Arthur and Steve have raised sufficient funds from well wishers to buy plans, and materials to bring the project to its present stage.