A 'valuable' former Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race organiser has been charged with a series of vile sex crimes.
Former yachting administrator Michael Neumann fronted the Melbourne Magistrates' Court last month after he was charged with 10 alleged child sex offences.
The charged offences include accusations that Neumann sexually penetrated a child, used a sex toy on a child, watched pornography with a child, and made a child 'encourage' a dog to perform a vile act.
It is also alleged Neumann performed lewd acts in the presence of a child.
Neumann, a well-known figure within Australia's yachting network, allegedly committed the offences before he commenced his role as the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria's general manager in 2019.
Neumann is understood to have left his post after Victoria Police first started investigating the allegations, resigning in November.
The Mail has contacted the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria for comment.
Neumann had previously received a warm send-off in the club's 2025 Yearbook.
Former yachting administrator Michael Neumann has been charged with a series of sex crimes
'With Michael Neumann's decision to resign as the general manager of Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, we express our heartfelt gratitude to him for his seven years of dedicated leadership and service to our club objectives and our members,' it read.
Neumann worked as operations manager for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia prior to joining the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.
Part of his role at the prestigious Darling Point club was to act as production manager for the world-famous Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
Neumann's role also included managing the club's marina before he quit and returned to Melbourne after the 2019 Sydney to Hobart race.
A farewell addressed to Neumann by the CYCA stated that he moved to Melbourne to be 'closer to his daughter'.
'Michael has been a valuable member of the management team and also stepped up in 2016 to become the production manager for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Villages in Sydney and Hobart, which are now considered to be a global benchmark for yacht race villages,' the farewell note stated.
'We wish Michael all the best with his future endeavours, and will miss his presence at our club.'
The Boating Industry Association of Victoria posted a tribute to Neumann on its Facebook page after he quit the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria.
Neumann allegedly committed the offences before he commenced his role as the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria's general manager in 2019
'The commodore, colleagues and members gathered at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria to farewell the much-loved GM Michael Neumann,' the post stated.
'Michael's contribution has been major.'
Neumann was charged by Victoria Police sex crime detectives on March 31 this year.
He faced a brief court hearing on April 23 where he was placed on bail with a strict condition that he live at a fixed address in Melbourne's outer north-west.
Neumann, who was supported by a family member, did not speak during the brief filing hearing.
The court ordered investigators to hand over a brief of evidence by May 12.
The prosecution and defence did not oppose a media application for the charges Neumann faces to be released.
Neumann will face court next on June 26.