Finalists Are In!

Queensland’s sailing community has spoken — and the 2025 Queensland Sailing Awards finalists are officially announced!

From Aussie Sailing Team stars to grassroots volunteers, this year’s nominations are packed with passion, dedication, and community spirit. Owe are thrilled by the wave of Volunteer of the Year nominees!

Be there when we crown the winners! Bring your crew, cheer on the finalists, and celebrate the best of Queensland sailing.

📅 Friday 12^th September
📍 Colmslie Hotel, Cnr Wynnum and Junction Roads, Morningside
🍽 3-course dinner + celebrations

🎟 Tickets on sale now! https://www.sailing.org.au/events/300193

($79 adults $30 under 12)

2025 QUEENSLAND FINALISTS

FEMALE SAILOR OF THE YEAR

-  Mara Stransky – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Stacey Jackson – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Ayla Barney – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Annika Thomson – Whitsunday Sailing Club

PARA SAILOR OF THE YEAR

-  Neil Rowsthorn – Southport Yacht Club

-  Daniel Fitzgibbon – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Naomi Ooue – Australian Hansa Class Association

YOUTH SAILOR OF THE YEAR

-  Rory Meehan – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Joshua Dale – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Alyssa Matthieu – Townsville Sailing Club

-  Jordan Barney – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

TEAM OF THE YEAR

-  Hayden Barney – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Moreton Bay College

-  Annette Hesselmans – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

-  Donnah Jordan – Mackay Sailing Club

-  Heather Sutton – Whitsunday Sailing Club

-  Sandra Byrt – Keppel Bay Sailing Club

-  Louise Davis – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Michael Mallan – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Robert Preston – South Brisbane Sailing Club

-  Allana Oates – Cairns Yacht Club

-  Colin Dunne – Townsville Sailing Club

-  Michael Wilson – Queensland ILCA Assoc

INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR

-  Amelia Doyle – Townsville Sailing Club

-  Robert Deards – Keppel Bay Sailing Club

COACH OF THE YEAR

-  Kate Baisden – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Adrian Finglas – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Raffael Trujillo – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

-  Louise Davis – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Daryl Skinner – Keppel Bay Sailing Club

SHESAILS AWARD

-  Doortje Joerst – Wynnum Manly Sailing Club

-  ILCA Solidarity Program

-  Tess Cooper – Cairns Yacht Club

-  Sophie Baynton – Keppel Bay Sailing Club

SPORT PROMOTION AWARD

-  Mark Dingley – Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron

-  Keppel Bay Sailing Club

-  Andy Kanacachain – Southport Yacht Club

INNOVATION AWARD

To be announced on the night

CLUB OF THE YEAR – CAT A

-  Southport Yacht Club

-  Royal Queensland Yacht Club

-  Keppel Bay Sailing Club

-  Whitsunday Sailing Club

CLUB OF THE YEAR – CAT B

-  Humpybong Yacht Club

-  Cleveland Yacht Club

-  South Brisbane Sailing Club