Captain Moonlite - 4 wonderful years!

Four years ago, Captain Moonlite arrived at the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club (ASLSC) and set about creating a relaxed eatery in the Ray Marsh Room that encompassed the surf club aesthetic but was updated with modern appeal. They wanted to provide a comfortable and calming environment for members and the local community all year round. To this brief they have delivered in spades and via the leadership of Matt and Gemma club events such as The Annual Beach Party and the Anglesea Carnival lunch have reached new levels of entertainment. These events were always great fun but now with cuisine that just lifted the bar to a new height.

Captain Moonlite over the years has grown from two full time employees and a handful of casuals to a full team of over 30 staff. The restaurant was able to sustain year round operations thanks to strong local community support and patronage. It has become a must-see destination on the Great Ocean Road both locally and internationally and received incredible media support.

Captain Moonlite has received many accolades during their tenure including:

Finalist for Regional Restaurant of the Year in the National 2020 Good Food Guide Awards
Awarded One chef’s Hat in the National Good Food Guide Awards 2018,2019 & 2020
Named in the Gourmet Traveller Magazine’s National Top 100 #65, 2018 #78 2019
Named as one of the National Top 500 Restaurant’s in the Australian Financial Review 2018
Named in the Delicious Magazine’s Top 100 (Victoria) at #80 in 2018 & #68 in 2019
Named as one of the top 10 best new restaurants in Melbourne 2016 by Business Insider & Eateries
Named as one of the top 5 best brunches in Regional Victoria by the Age 2019
Nominated as the timeout Regional Restaurant of the Year 2018

Captain Moonlite have employed local staff and club members and dedicated a large amount of time training and developing their young teams to give them necessary skills to meet the high standards Gemma and Matt expected and to set them up for success in future endeavours. They have a very loyal social media following and featured in many publications over the 4 year journey. Being the only hatted restaurant located inside a Surf Life Saving club they were also recognised on several lifestyle shows to showcase the incredible view, the incredible cuisine and the incredible atmosphere putting not only the surf club but Anglesea on the map.

The outpouring of support from people far and wide was evident as news of the necessary tender became public. Due to ASLSC being situated on Crown land a transparent and competitive tender process was required by government for the club to appoint an operator to deliver expanded food and beverage services in the redeveloped clubhouse.

We had strongly encouraged and welcomed Captain Moonlite into the process and were saddened when they withdrew from the tender process. We do however respect their decision and understand their reasoning.

The ASLSC Board of Directors on behalf of all members want to thank Matt and Gemma for what they have created and delivered in the Ray Marsh Room. Captain Moonlite was exceptional and it will always hold a special place in the history of the ASLSC.

The food has been to die for, the service first class, efficient and friendly and the personal touch that Matt and Gemma have brought to the Ray Marsh Room has been exemplary. Their latest venue Fish by Moonlite highlights their ongoing commitment to Anglesea and the wider Surf Coast. We wish Captain Moonlite every success with their future endeavours whatever they may be and have no doubt they will be a brilliant success.

For the full statement that Captain Moonlite released click here