Three exceptional nominees headline the Volunteer of the Year award - one of the most anticipated awards at the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards.

Julia Hornsby (NSW/ACT), Rosaline Marshall (VIC) and Donnah Jordan (QLD) will be recognised with their contributions to sailing across the country, where they have left an indelible mark on their communities and continue to work tirelessly behind the scenes. 

The nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Friday, November 14.   

FINALISTS:

Julia Hornsby (NSW/ACT)

Julia Hornsby, as Chair of the Organising Authority, led the very successful delivery of the ‘Hansa Worlds’ held at RPAYC.

With over 200 sailors living with or without a disability, from 18 countries competing in 167 boats, these Championships demonstrated inclusion, accessibility and diversity in action.
The event’s open fleet racing enabled athletes living with a wide range of disabilities to race alongside and against those without, showing the inclusive nature of sailing as a sport. They also showed very clearly the importance of sport for people living with a disability. 

As Chair, Julia’s total dedication to these championships ensured harmonious collaboration between RPAYC and key partners including Sailability NSW, Australian Sailing, World Sailing, the Hansa Class Association, Hansa Sailing Systems, local and NSW Government authorities, other supporters and her RPAYC colleagues. A collaboration that was key to the success of the event for the competitors.

Julia was able to work with Northern Beaches Council who provided dedicated parking for a 40-foot container and for many of the competitor’s trailers.

The championships were transformational for the club, its members, staff and competitors. Julia was proud and honoured to play a central role in an event that has left a legacy for inclusive sailing in this country.

Rosaline Marshall (VIC)

Rosaline is an outstanding and selfless volunteer who has made a remarkable contribution to youth sailing in Victoria through her work with the Victorian International Optimist Dinghy Association (VIODA). 

She is known for her unwavering commitment to supporting young sailors from all walks of life, while exemplifying good character, sportsmanship, and inclusiveness.

She supports children across a wide variety of cultural, social and geographical backgrounds, including sailors from regional and border communities. Her work promotes youth participation in the International Optimist Dinghy class from beginner to elite levels, and she plays a critical role in helping both children and their families feel welcomed and supported.

Rosaline has been instrumental in organising and encouraging participation in regional events, such as VIODA’s Winter Training Camps and the “Sail Country” Regatta at Albury Wodonga Yacht Club. She has built bridges between Melbourne and regional sailing communities, resulting in Albury Wodonga sailors gaining the confidence to travel to capital city regattas— something rarely seen before.

At state, national, and international regattas, Rosaline volunteers in any capacity needed—from start boat flag assistant at Nationals to kitchen hand, trolley collector, canteen server, or safety support crew. She was a steady and familiar presence at the National Optimist Championships at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, offering support to Victorian families and volunteering as a Start Boat Assistant. Her photos and updates helped connect parents onshore and back home with the experience of the regatta.

Donnah Jordan (QLD)

Donnah Jordan is the Mackay Sailing Club Secretary, a Committee Member of the North Qld Sabot Association and the President of the Australian National Sabot Council.

Donnah introduced a new location for the Mackay Festival of Sail at Seaforth which was a mammoth effort alone and turned out to be a huge success.

Donnah has been working with the Mackay Regional Council for the last two years and has now secured a parcel of Waterfront Land for the club at Mackay Harbour, cementing the club’s future. This wouldn't have happened without her continued efforts and the club now has a place to call home.

Donnah is also a committee member of the North Qld Sabot Association. She is spearheading the organizing of this year's National Titles in the Whitsundays this Christmas. Donnah has secured most of the sponsors, negotiated the contract with Host Club and organised the accommodation / billeting and transport options for the other associations coming to the region.

Amongst other things Donnah is also the President of the Australian National Sabot Association. She organises the State Associations, maintains the record and promotes events for the Sabot Class. Donnah also updates the Websites and Socials for the Sabots.