To celebrate International Women's Day 2021 Australian Sailing would like to salute all those making a difference to female participation in Sailing.

There are so many great contributors around Australia, and today we are excited to share the details of some of these special people and the work they do:

Orla Gray, Rear Commodore and Head Instructor at YMCA Sailing Club in Canberra ACT:

While studying full time at universityOrla runs the Learn to Sail Program for YMCA, actively promotes women’s sailing in Canberra and goes above and beyond to mentor and assist those up-and-coming sailors. Orla has previously been nominated several times for the Instructor of the Year Award at the Australian Sailing Awards.

Craig Traill from the Cruising Yacht Club - Hamilton Island in QLD:

Craig has long been championing women and girls sailing programs at his club.

In the beginning CYCHI had a ladies skipper race every 5th Wednesday with no more than 5 ladies in the club as members. Today they sit at over 40 females joining the CYCHI within the club as Secretary, Treasurer, SheSails representative, Social Media and as Instructors for our juniors and most importantly skippers. CYCHI now run a whole series where the ladies helm the boats and compete for their own trophy at the end of season.

The SheSails program has been a huge success on Hamilton Island with the growth of females entering the sport; having a supportive and invested culture at the club lead by Commodores like Craig are key in ensuring its success.

Deborah Wallace from Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in NSW:

Deb has been championing for women in sailing, both inshore and offshore for many years. 

In May 2018, she founded the Sailing Women's Network Australia, a page for women who enjoy participating in sailing and Sailing Racing around Australia and overseas. This group now has over 1.1K members which inspires, connects and empowers women. It is a space to share inspiration stories, encourage networking, promote participation and keep up to date with sailing news across the globe. She also releases a monthly podcast interviewing prominent women sailing figures.

Sharon Colman from Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Club in the NT:

Shaz is a local SheSails representative and is actively involved in NT SheSails activities. She is consistently introducing new females to the sport through these initiatives or crewing on her & her husband’s yacht Red Knot. Recently Shaz ran a Locks & Docks session for new female crew/skippers and also received Most Improved Sailor for the 2020 season from Darwin Sailing Club.

Linda Morris Vice Commodore & SheSails Rep for Chelsea Yacht Club in VIC:

Linda is the Vice Commodore and SheSails Club Representative for the Chelsea Yacht Club in Melbourne. Linda has been instructing at the club for over 22 years and ran the Training program at the club as Discover Sailing Centre Principal for many years. Linda has actively promoted women and girls sailing at the club; from running Learn to Sail Programs for women and girls after school, putting on Trailer reversing courses to recently organising a very successful International Women’s day Pacer Challenge, which attracted over 40 women to the club many who had never sailed before. Linda also has sat on the Victorian SheSails Committee for many years and goes above and beyond to mentor and assist other new SheSails Club Representatives in clubs across Victoria to develop their own women and girls programs.

The Royal SA Yacht Squadron SheSails Committee in SA:

The Royal SA Yacht Squadron SheSails Committee who, despite the difficulties of last year, got two teams up to the NT Women’s Keelboat Regatta, and are regularly running women’s racing and learn to sail at their Club.

Jenny Graney from  Kingston Beach Sailing Club in TAS:

Jenny has been a champion for women and girls in off the beach classes. When she’s not busy competing in the Mirror Class, Jenny is busy coordinating the club’s Discover Sailing Programs. KBSC has traditionally been a very inclusive environment and Jenny continues the tradition taking on new SheSails programs.