AV Case Study: George’s River Sailing Club
Creating an island of sound inside a sailing club gives this venue the flexibility it needs.
20 May 2026
The Georges River Sailing Club in Sandringham, Sydney, sits pretty much on the mouth of the Georges River where it meets Botany Bay. It’s a popular area for sailing clubs and sail boats – Captain Cook heaved anchor about seven klicks across the water and probably would have appreciated dropping in for a cold beer – and further into the river there’s more boating clubs than you could stick an oar at. Recently, the GRSC underwent some significant refitting to bring it up to speed for the demanding functions market. It was already well involved but needed upgrading. The sailing club, like most ‘clubs’, has long since diversified beyond just a membership-based venue and offers event packages of various size and costs. Everyone loves a waterfront venue that has everything you need, and Georges River Sailing Club is wisely focusing on the wedding business, although not exclusively.
At the same time, the members still need prioritising and looking after as the bread-and-butter clientele and regular punters.
CHARTING THE COURSE
‘Punters’ is the operative word here. The main dining room is a large space with long, glazed walls to provide the stunning views and myriad tables and chairs that fill quickly with folks enjoying the drinks and cuisine.
As a part of this, the management decided to create a sports bar with the necessary large LED screen and audio to suit. Then anybody who got bored with the panoramic vista of Botany Bay and Sydney shoreline could wander across and watch a bit of footy instead and maybe have a flutter on results.
The challenge was during day-to-day operations to keep this sports bar a tightly controlled zone that didn’t spoil the experience of diners nearby, while ensuring the screen and PA could be utilised for wider functions or live music too.
The job was taken on by Matthew Joyce from WED Group, a company which is well known for customised electrical solutions, and has since branched into AV installations, specialising in the AV needs of licensed clubs.
“The screen measures 5400mm by 2025mm on a dedicated partition in the middle of the room and looks really impressive,” Matthew explains. “So it required equally impressive audio. Keeping that audio in the zone and still with plenty of punch needed exactly the right equipment without any compromises.”
SETTING SAIL
K-array loudspeakers were the perfect fit. Either side of the display is a single Python KP1021, augmented by one Rumble KU212 subwoofer positioned under the screen. The Python KP1021 is a metre-long line array speaker loaded with 12 x 3.5-inch neodymium drivers that delivers a peak 134dB SPL when you let it – there’s your punch – while being a slimline profile that blends into the mounting surface. The partition allowed a flushmount anyway, deep enough to do the same for the KU212 sub, and both loudspeakers are available in a white (or custom) finish which makes them almost disappear into the surrounding façade.
Tucked in behind the scenes is a K-array Kommander KA34 amplifier which offers ample power for the space’s SPL needs.
The system can be configured via presets using Biamp processing and RTI controllers, and anything can be dialled up by the staff at the press of a button – no AV technician required.
“The coverage is excellent, and exactly what we were after,” Matthew says. “The K-array column speakers give you both great dispersion in your desired zone, and a focus that can steer the audio away from spilling into adjacent areas. Plus, when you need some extra output, the K-array Python can definitely deliver.”
SHIPSHAPE
The Georges River Sailing Club has tacked on a clever addition to the larger room that provides greater versatility and more options to its regular members and the function room choices as well. All without going overboard with the budget. It’s a comparatively simple project, but the right equipment selection made all the difference. “Nik Buchanan and the team at Australis Music Group are so easy to approach and give you great advice for any job, large or small,” Matthew says. “The more we work with them, and the more AV integration we do, the better it gets. We couldn’t ask for more.”
Thanks to WED Group, Australis and K-array the sailing club will be making a splash on the events calendar for years to come.
WED Group: wedgroup.com.au
Australis (K-array): australismusic.com.au
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