Looking for a competitive team sport?
Crown Casino Flames is such an iconic attraction here in Melbourne. If you're from Melbourne and have not yet experienced the flames, make sure you put it on your list for this summer. For those from out of town, this is surely one not to miss. If you want to see Melbourne at night, South Bank is a great place to go.
We are recruiting new members now!
Free trial sessions on Sunday mornings in Docklands. Register above to ‘Come and Try’.
- The famous 'flames' at Melbourne's Crown Casino in Victoria, Australia. I felt like a challenge, so decided to shoot these with slide film. I only got two shots that I was moderately happy with, and this is the second (see the first). My aim was to get a balanced exposure, the flames in an attractive shape, a good composition and some 'blue hour' sky colour. Shot on Fujifilm Provia 400X slide film.
- Watch Melbourne’s skyline go up in flames with no threat to safety. Each night the 8 towers located outside Crown Casino along the Yarra River erupt with the world’s largest fireballs. You can literally feel the warmth on your face as this show of fire and spectacle lights up the night. And best of all its free!
Compete
Melbourne Flames is a competitive racing club renowned for success in local and international dragon boat competitions. As current Victorian and Australian champions in numerous categories, we have won gold against clubs from around the world at Club Crew World Championships. Our Head Coach Serghei Cucsa has held the position of Head Coach to the Australian Dragon Boat team since 2010 and many of our members are Australian representatives.
Meet
At Melbourne Flames we pride ourselves on our camaraderie, sportsmanship and community spirit. We want to make every event enjoyable for all and believe that our success depends on fostering an environment that is welcoming, supportive and inclusive. With over 80 members aged 14 to 50+ we always welcome new members and embrace diversity.
Train
Dragon boat paddling is a high intensity exercise that offers a unique blend of endurance, power, strength and cardio. You well get fit FAST! We also run strength and conditioning sessions three nights a week which are led by our Head Coach. Sessions are tailored to all fitness levels and are a great way to bond as a team.
Racing at regattas
Dragon boat racing is the ultimate team sport where men and women of all ages can compete together in one crew. Once you join we will teach you everything you need to know and you will be able to take part in racing immediately. We strongly encourage everyone to compete as it is the most thrilling and exciting part of our sport. Plus, think about those shiny medals and trophies!
Friendships
At Melbourne Flames we pride ourselves on being more than a sporting club, we are a family. We foster an inclusive and supportive culture and help each other both on and off the water. We love our social activities such as weekly Sunday brunch, sporting events, casual barbecues, fun runs and movie nights. We also run blood drives and donate to charities as our way of giving back to the community. With over 80 members you are sure to make new friends.
Represent your state and country
If you are interested in the challenge of elite level competition then learn from the best in the State and Australia! Our Head Coach (Serghei Cucsa) has held the position of Head Coach to the Australian Dragon Boat team since 2010 and many of our senior members have held coaching positions for the Victorian State Squad in the last 10 years. No matter what your goals are, guidance, mentorship and support are always on hand at the Melbourne Flames to help you get there.
International events
Does paddling overseas sound fun? You bet it is! The opportunity to compete internationally are boundless in dragon boat racing. Our members have been to Hungary, Canada, USA, Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia and China. Where will we go next? Join us to find out.
Victoria's gambling regulator and the State Government are under increasing pressure over its handling of Crown Casino after the gaming giant admitted money laundering was likely to have occurred at its Melbourne and Perth casinos.
The admission to a NSW inquiry has prompted that state's regulator to delay the opening of Crown's new multi-billion-dollar casino in Sydney.
The NSW inquiry is assessing Crown Resorts' suitability to hold a casino licence.
The revelations in Sydney about Crown's Melbourne operations have raised fresh questions over the effectiveness of the Victoria Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) which has been approached with multiple complaints about Crown in recent years.
and The Age have exposed allegations of money laundering, links to criminal groups and overseas junket operators.
The VCGLR has issued a show cause notice to Crown over its junket operations — in which cashed-up overseas gamblers are lured to Crown. The nation's anti-money laundering body AUSTRAC is also investigating issues at the casino.
As previously reported by the ABC, there are concerns from within the VCGLR that issues at Crown are not being taken seriously by the watchdog.
Gambling reform advocate says political donations helped Crown avoid scrutiny
Tim Costello, the chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, said Crown's 'bombshell' admission that money laundering was likely occurring in Melbourne and Perth was 'simply extraordinary' and should be of concern to all Australians.
'It says it [Crown] has been a criminal enterprise,' he said.
'There has been wholesale money laundering going on and Crown admitted it [on Wednesday] after effectively hiding it for most of the inquiry.
'This is quite an astonishing finding that every Australian should be shaking in their boots that this has gone on for so long.'
Mr Costello said the revelations should put the spotlight back on the VCGLR and the national corporate regulator ASIC.
He has also criticised Crown's influence over Victorian politicians on both sides of the aisle.
He said the gaming giant's ties to Spring Street accounted for why allegations of criminal activity in Melbourne's casinos had gone without consequence for so long.
'Crown has captured politics [and] the politicians are silent because it gives great donations to both sides of politics,' Mr Costello said.
'That is why it has taken a New South Wales inquiry to really expose massive laundering and criminal activity here in Melbourne.'
In 2017-18, Crown donated $35,000 to Victorian Labor and $30,000 to Victorian Liberals.
Mr Costello said he expected far-reaching organisational change at Crown with an 'embarrassed' board facing fallout from the inquiry.
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'They've got to turn over most of their board. They have been utterly exposed and they have effectively just been puppets of James Packer,' he said.
'James Packer is almost certainly going to have to sell out and hand over to someone who can pass the probity test in holding a licence.'
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Crown won't have licence suspended in Melbourne
Premier Daniel Andrews said the casino would not have its licence suspended in the wake of the money laundering admission but said the regulator would make further inquiries.
He also said the Government would closely examine the final report from NSW, due early next year.
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'There is a sacred trust when it comes to these licences, and they need to be complied with,' Mr Andrews said.
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The Opposition and the Greens have been critical of the VCGLR for not acting quick enough on Crown Casino.
Liberal leader Michael O'Brien said the commission was 'asleep at the wheel', while Greens MP Ellen Sandell said the Government must terminate Crown's licence.
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Mr Andrews, who is former Gaming Minister, defended the work of the regulator.
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'It is simply wrong in my judgement to say that they are waiting for others to do their job for them, nothing can be further from the truth.'