We are proud to officially announce the 2025 Victorian Sailing Awards Finalists! Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the 2025 Victorian Sailing Awards.  

Join us are we celebrate the achievements and contributions made by our sailing community. 

• Date: Friday 12^th September 2025 
• Time: 6pm – 10:30pm  
• Location: Sandringham Yacht Club (32 Jetty Road, Sandringham VIC 3191) 
• Dress: Cocktail Dress 
• Canape and complimentary drink on arrival  

Tickets on sale now: 

• Book here: https://www.sailing.org.au/events/302592
• Cost: $35 

2025 Victorian Finalists 

FEMALE SAILOR OF THE YEAR 

Laura Harding – Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron  

• Laura has established herself as a rising Australian Olympic sailing star, achieving top international results while balancing coaching, academics, and a historic role in the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup. 

Sophie Jackson – Mornington Yacht Club 

• Sophie has dominated the 2024–25 Australian 470 sailing circuit, achieving top national and international results while mentoring others, establishing herself as a rising Olympic prospect. 

MALE SAILOR OF THE YEAR 

Graeme Taylor – Mornington Yacht Club 

• Graeme had a standout 2024/25 season, winning consecutive Etchell World Championships and major national events while contributing to victories aboard Comanche, all while exemplifying humility and support within the sailing community. 

Mark Bulka – McCrae Yacht Club 

• Mark, a five-time world champion, combines exceptional competitive success with generosity, leadership, and community engagement, driving growth and participation in high-performance sailing. 

Roger Blasse – Black Rock Yacht Club, OK Dinghy Association 

• Roger has dedicated over 50 years to Black Rock Yacht Club, excelling as a leader and multiple national and world champion, while earning respect for his sportsmanship, humility, and lifelong commitment to the OK Dinghy class. 

TEAM OF THE YEAR 

Joshua Garner & Jack Benyan – Royal Geelong Yacht Club 

• Josh and Jack formed a dynamic partnership in 2023, dominating state, national, and international competitions and culminating in winning the 2024 International Cadet World Championship and being named VicSport’s 2024 Young Team of the Year. 

Laura Harding & Annie Wilmot – Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron  

• Laura and Annie have excelled in the 49erFX class with top international results in 2025, and their selection for the Women’s America’s Cup highlights their skill, dedication, and pioneering role in sailing. 

Scarlet Runner (Rob Date) - Sandringham Yacht Club 

• The Scarlet Runner team, led by Rob Date, has achieved elite racing success while fostering camaraderie and mentorship, exemplifying high performance and inclusiveness in Victorian keelboat sailing. 

PARA SAILOR OF THE YEAR 

Alison Weatherly – Australian Hansa Class Association 

• Alison is the Victorian Representative for the Australian Hansa Class Association and is also part of the DEI committee 

Peter Coleman – Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Australian Hansa Class Association, 2.4 Metre Class 

• Peter has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in the 2.4m fleet, promoting para sailing through events and community engagement while earning recognition for his outstanding 2024 performances. 

Simon Bibby – Bendigo Yacht Club, Australian Hansa Class Association  

• Simon had a standout debut Hansa season, winning the 2025 state title, contributing to state and national team victories at the Worlds, and actively supporting the sport through advocacy, mentorship, and event planning. 

YOUTH SAILOR OF THE YEAR 

Ashlea Tan – Sandringham Yacht Club, Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, Albert Sailing Club, VIODA, VIC ILCA 

• Ashlea is a top Victorian youth sailor with national and international success across multiple classes, who also mentors young sailors and champions female participation in sailing. 

Callum Simmons – Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, Indented Head Yacht Club 

• Callum has excelled in his first ILCA 4 season with major regatta wins and strong national and international results, while also serving as a supportive mentor and role model for youth sailors. 

Joshua Garner – Royal Geelong Yacht Club 

• Josh had an exceptional season, winning international, national, and state titles while demonstrating outstanding leadership and sportsmanship as team captain. 

COACH OF THE YEAR 

Tony Bull – Royal Geelong Yacht Club 

• Tony, a respected sailmaker and coach, has dedicated his career to developing young sailors and teams, guiding multiple world championship-winning crews, earning RGYC Life Membership. 

Will McKenzie – Mornington Yacht Club 

• Will has excelled as Head Coach at Mornington Yacht Club and the Victorian International Optimist Dinghy Association, developing sailors and coaches alike, achieving state and national successes, and fostering skills, critical thinking, and a love of sailing across school and club programs. 

INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR 

Georgia Delaney – Royal Geelong Yacht Club 

• Georgia has distinguished herself at RGYC through exceptional leadership, mentorship, and program contributions, fostering a positive learning culture and earning respect as a key influencer within the instructor team. 

Lucas James – Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron  

• Lucas has emerged as a standout instructor at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, combining leadership, mentorship, competitive racing, and program development to inspire and develop sailors and instructors across all levels. 

CLUB OF THE YEAR (CATEGORY A) 

Ocean Racing Club of Victoria  

• The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) grew membership and participation in 2024–25 through innovative programs, high-profile events, strong promotion, volunteer support, and sustainability initiatives, maintaining its leadership in Victorian offshore sailing. 

Royal Brighton Yacht Club 

• Royal Brighton Yacht Club marked its 150th anniversary by boosting membership, expanding participation through inclusive programs, hosting major regattas, and fostering sustainability, volunteerism, and community engagement. 

CLUB OF THE YEAR (CATEGORY B) 

Altona Yacht Club 

• Altona Yacht Club has grown participation and engagement through targeted training, upgraded facilities and equipment, community events, regattas, and strategic partnerships, while supporting member development and safety initiatives. 

Davey’s Bay Yacht Club 

• Davey’s Bay Yacht Club grew membership and participation in 2024–25 through structured Australian Sailing programs, expanded racing and school initiatives, inclusive volunteer support, community promotion, and strategic partnerships, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, innovation, diversity, and environmental sustainability. 

DISCOVER SAILING CENTRE OF THE YEAR 

Altona Yacht Club 

• AYC ran Tackers, Dinghy, and Powerboat programs with structured Green Fleet and Intermediate pathways, achieving a 25% membership conversion rate, developing instructors from assistants to coaches, and promoting sailing through events, school outreach, grants, media coverage, and community engagement. 

Davey’s Bay Yacht Club 

• DBYC revitalised its junior and adult sailing programs with professional AS-qualified coaches, achieving strong participation, high conversion to further programs and membership, providing clear pathways for instructors and officials, and actively promoting sailing through schools and social media. 

Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club 

• SSCBC significantly grew participation and membership through its Learn to Sail and Team Sorrento programs, providing structured pathways from entry-level to advanced sailing, extensive instructor and official training, strong succession planning, and active promotion via schools, social media, and community events. 

OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR 

Frank McMahon – Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club 

• Frank  is a dedicated Regional Race Officer for RGYC and QLYC, serving as RGYC’s Principal Race Officer for three years, coordinating race management, training volunteers, supporting Women on Water, and contributing to numerous state, national, and international regattas while mentoring sailors, parents, and officials across multiple programs.  

Luke Tupper – Albert Sailing Club 

• Luke has demonstrated over a decade of dedicated service to developing race officials and supporting school team racing in Victoria, providing mentorship, on-water umpiring, and essential administrative leadership. 

Peter Osbourne – Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club 

• Peter has significantly contributed to race officiating in Victoria by serving as Principal and Course Race Officer at major events and delivering Regional and National Race Officer courses. 

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR 

Mischa Suda – Sandringham Yacht Club 

• At just 19, Mischa has become a standout volunteer and young leader at SYC, driving youth engagement through initiatives like J/70 Young Member Nights, advocating for young sailors on the committee, and combining her dedication on and off the water to make sailing more inclusive, accessible, and inspiring for others. 

Rod McKenna – Royal Brighton Yacht Club 

• Rod, a long-term RBYC member and Regional Race Officer, consistently contributes to high-quality club racing, volunteers at major regattas, mentors sailors and race management volunteers, introduces technological improvements, organizes educational initiatives, and, along with his family, preserves and celebrates the club’s legacy, demonstrating unwavering dedication and community spirit. 

Rosaline Marshall – Albury Wodonga Sailing Club, Victorian International Optimist Dinghy Association 

• Rosaline is a dedicated and selfless volunteer whose tireless work with VIODA and regional sailing communities has significantly supported, mentored, and included young sailors across Victoria, fostering participation, safety, and a welcoming environment while exemplifying sportsmanship, empathy, and commitment. 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 

To be announced on the night  

SHESAILS AWARD 

GirlSail Regatta – Davey's Bay Yacht Club 

• The Girlsail Regatta at Davey’s Bay Yacht Club has, for 20 years, consistently empowered and inspired young female sailors through skill development, leadership opportunities, mentorship, and a welcoming competitive environment, creating a lasting legacy that grows female participation and leadership in sailing. 

Marine Irving & Cath Hurley – Royal Brighton Yacht Club 

• Club Captain Marnie Irving and Rear Commodore Cath Hurley welcomed competitors and sponsors at the BLiSS Regatta, a key RBYC event that promotes female participation in sailing through tailored training, competitive racing, and celebration of the club’s 150-year history. 

Robyn Ragauskas – Sandringham Yacht Club 

• Robyn is a dedicated leader and ambassador for women’s sailing at Sandringham Yacht Club, driving inclusive training programs, high-performing all-female crews, and flagship events like the Women in Sailing Challenge and Commodore’s Challenge, while fostering community, mentoring members, and significantly increasing female participation both on and off the water. 

SPORT PROFESSIONAL AWARD 

To be announced on the night 

SPORT PROMOTION AWARD 

Festival of Sails – Royal Geelong Yacht Club 

• In January 2025, RGYC hosted a landmark Discover Sailing Day on RS21 keelboats during the Festival of Sails, engaging 545 participants through a highly visible, inclusive, and expertly coordinated program that combined on-water experiences, extensive volunteer support, paid and organic media campaigns, and national publicity to promote sailing, increase community participation, and generate lasting interest in Learn to Sail programs. 

Ocean Racing Club of Victoria  

• ORCV has demonstrated leadership in offshore sailing through groundbreaking safety initiatives, youth development, female participation and representation, digital engagement, wellbeing innovation, and high-profile events, achieving measurable growth in participation, inclusion, and community impact while setting national benchmarks and fostering collaboration across Victoria and beyond. 

Victorian International Optimist Dinghy Assocation / Leah Keh 

• VIODA powered by Leah has transformed junior sailing in Victoria through strategic digital promotion, inclusive community programs, international exchanges, gear donation initiatives, event leadership, and advocacy for girls in sailing, fostering participation, engagement, and global visibility.   

INCLUSION PROGRAM OF THE YEAR 

Discover Hansa – Docklands Yacht Club, Sailability Victoria 

• The Discover Hansa program provides inclusive, volunteer-run winter sailing sessions across Victoria, empowering participants of all ages and abilities through hands-on sailing, informal racing, and social connection, while fostering confidence, skills, and mental wellbeing. 

Making Waves Foundation 

• The Wright of Passage program empowers youth through hands-on boatbuilding, sailing, and mentorship, fostering life skills, confidence, club participation, and long-term personal and community impact.