General Manager - Queensland Update June 2025
The latest update from Australian Sailing's General Manager - Queensland - Annie Watson
Please click this link to find all past Queensland General Manager Updates.
General Update
It’s been a busy couple of months for your Queensland team with plenty of club visits. A big thank you to Cairns Cruising Yacht Squadron and Hervey Bay Sailing Club for hosting our first two roadshows and it was really great to see that all clubs in both regions we represented at the Sailing Summits. The new format for the roadshows has been a success with plenty of opportunities to share what is happening at every club and interactive workshops that help build new ideas. The Australian Sports Commission joined us for the Cairns Sailing Summit and ran a workshop designed to look at the future of sailing in Australia to gather information for the new Participation Plan that the AS Grow team are working on. Thank you to all those who attended and shared their thoughts.
We have a brand new commercial Discover Sailing Centre on the Fraser Coast delivering Tackers and Adult learn to sail. This new initiative will build the membership of both the Maryborough Sailing Club and the Hervey Bay Sailing Club. We can’t wait to see the outcome! Anna and Stephan are are looking for second hand tackers boats and RS Quests you’re your club can help, please reach out to them. https://www.sailing.org.au/news/fraser-coast-welcomes-new-discover-sailing-centre
The Women and Girls introduction into officiating program in SEQ has been a huge success and we would like to offer your club, the opportunity to host one of these sessions. Please let Alison Turner alison.turner@sailing.org.au know if you would be interested. You will need to have at least 6 people attending either the Intro to being a judge or race officer session.
Youth Sail registrations will be opening next month! Keppel Bay Sailing Club are working hard to make this year’s event another one to remember. Please let your junior sailors know (if they haven’t already heard about this amazing event) that it is one regatta not to be missed. More information here: https://www.sailingyouth.org.au/youth-sail-qld/
If any of your members are looking to become an instructor, Coach or Official, they can register their interest here: https://www.sailing.org.au/events/271291. By registering, this helps us target the right areas in Queensland to hold courses.
Management Update
Some exciting news, Ben Callard has been appointed to be Acting CEO for Australian Sailing after the resignation of Ben Houston from the role. We are all thrilled for Ben!
https://www.sailing.org.au/news/australian-sailing-board-appoints-acting-ceo
Sailing Summits
The final two Summit Roadshow events will be run over the next month and we hope that your club will make the time to attend either the one at Cleveland Yacht Club this weekend or at the Whitsunday Sailing Club on 12th July.
All Club and Class Association Flag officers, Presidents, key officials, and management are encouraged to attend. The three main topics will focus on Participation, Funding and Volunteers. There will also be time for you to share your club successes and challenges. Along with time to network and build relationships with clubs from your region.
Action Item/s for Club:
• Register today: https://www.sailing.org.au/events/277970
Officials Workshops
The Officials workshop is being held at the AS Queensland Office on Saturday 21st June and is open to all officials and people who are interested in becoming an official. You can find all the information here: https://www.sailingresources.org.au/officiating/officials-workshops
Action Item/s for Club:
• Register today: https://www.sailing.org.au/events/282276
Awards
In every club in Queensland, there is always someone who should be nominated for the Queensland Sailing Awards. So, who are you going to nominate this year? Nominations are open and I would love to see every club represented in our nomination list. There is plenty of time, so think about the people in your club and start nominating the incredible people of our Queensland Sailing Community. And to all our clubs, we believe you are fantastic, so consider nominating your club this year
https://www.sailing.org.au/news/nominations-open-for-2025-australian-sailing-awards
Action Item/s for Club:
- Download the questions before you start the nomination process and do a draft in word so you can just copy and paste into the form.
- Submit your nomination today: https://www.sailing.org.au/community/sailing-awards
Keep in Touch
If you have any questions on the above topics, please contact the General Manager - QLD, Annie Watson at annie.watson@sailing.org.au . You can find a complete list of Australian Sailing Contacts – here.
