Who are you going to nominate for the 2020 Queensland Sailing Awards?  Need some inspiration...

Just because there’s no glitz and glam and getting dressed up this year with the award ceremony moving to online, doesn’t mean that within our sailing community there aren’t any sailors, officials, volunteers or clubs that haven’t been doing amazing things!

Nominations are open now, but close on July 31^st, so don’t miss the opportunity to nominate the key people in your club for the many different award categories. So make your list, get writing and recognise the people who make a difference!

https://www.sailing.org.au/community/sailing-awards/

Here’s a bit of a reminder of why our winners last year were nominated:

Winner Offshore Sailor of the year 2019

Drew has had a highly successful year racing offshore with his catamaran RUSHOUR. Drews' and his now well trained and motivated crew began to achieve major successes in the second half of 2018 and through 2019. Rushour was campaigned extensively on the Australian east coast, and internationally with the Groupama 600 nautical mile race around New Caledonia where his team were First Line Honours; First OMR Handicap; First Performance Handicap

She Sails Award Winner 2019

The Mooloolaba Yacht Club Womens Keelboat Program operates on a volunteer basis with a core group of 11 women who share their skills and time to advance the MYC sailing opportunities for women. On average 100 women following the program with 15 to 20 women actively involved on a regular basis.

In two years WKSSDP has achieved: Fortnightly training programs which include classroom and on-water instruction. An Advanced Squad (AS) has been formed and trains weekly towards representing the MYC at events locally and interstate.

The MYC Board are keenly committed supporters of this women’s program. The MYC’s WKSSDP continues to prove sailing is accessible to women of all ages and backgrounds. It empowers women to overcome fears and barriers, build self-confidence and to connect with their local community all while ensuring there is fun experiencing the great outdoors with a sense of freedom, adventure and achievement.

Volunteer of the Year 2019

Daryls commitment to the Keppel Bay Sailing Club has been incredible and includes providing his services as Principle Race Officer for major regattas and racing days at the Club for the past 40 years.  Daryl has also provided his services at State Laser and Sabot Titles as Principle Race Officer and worked with the team at KBSC for the F18 World Titles, World Taser Titles, Moth Nationals, Hobie Nationals, and Impulse Nationals and travelled to Hervey Bay for 2 weeks in 2018 to assist with the A Class worlds. All of this Darryl undertakes for the love of our sport.

Instructor of the Year 2019

At the Townsville Sailing Club, an accredited DS centre, Di is the Head Instructor developing and facilitating our DS programs while managing the instructing team. In developing these programs Di has planned each event throughout the year, has facilitated the administration, has organised the Instructors and Assistant Instructors, ensuring each participant receives a well-balanced, valuable experience.  All while mentoring our Instructors and Assistant Instructors in their development.

Di is well respected by members, She has a well-balanced demeanour that builds confidence.  Her ability to interact with people provides her the gift to ensure all have an enjoyable and fruitful experience, whether they are the participant or the instructor. 

Sport Promoter of the Year 2019

Adrian Bram has been the Marketing Director for Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing over the last 5 years (2015 - 2019), during which time the regatta has grown into the most significant Community Festival event in the region. Last year the event attracted over $2.1M in direct expenditure and made an overall contribution of around $6M to the Whitsunday Economy. The event has received Tourism Events Queensland "Significant Event Status", one of only a few events in Queensland to receive this recognition.  Combining Airlie Beach Race Week with a community festival, featuring bands, wine tastings, a long lunch, a beach fun party, the event has generated interest in the regatta from all areas.  72.4% of attendees last year travelled from outside the Whitsundays for the regatta.

With Adrian's marketing and promotional guidance, the regatta, and awareness of sailing as a sport in the region, continues to grow.

Sailor with a Disability 2019 Winner

Chelseann was part of the Australian Sailing Team competing at the Special Olympics World Games. She came home with gold. Not just content sailing dinghies, Chelseann is has started crewing on yachts with the Townsville Yacht Club. And has been given a crew place at Airlie Beach race week. Chelseann enjoys teaching new sailors, in particular the younger kids. Chelseann takes any opportunity to promote Sailing both Disability and mainstream. She also has done talks at a local sports clubs, sports expo and a Disability expo.