2026 Brisbane to Bundaberg Offshore Yacht Race Prize Presentation

Mayor of Bundaberg, Councillor Helen Blackburn; Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Commodore Curtis Skinner; Vice Commodore Todd Anderson; Past Commodore Mr David Refern; CEO Mrs Karen Baldwin; Sailing Manager, Mr Mark Dingley; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Bundaberg and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this evening.

I am delighted to join you tonight as Governor, and Graeme, as Patron of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is particularly pleased to be here to meet you all in person after officiating at Thursday’s start with Mayor Blackburn, and tracking the progress of the fleet virtually as the race has progressed.

It’s enormously exciting to see the bold idea of a new and different Queensland offshore race come to fruition and it certainly has all the ingredients to become an annual tradition for Australia’s bluewater sailors: a relatively short but still challenging course, the warm weather and blue skies of Queensland in early winter a finishing berth in one of our State’s finest marinas – and a welcome party featuring a prawn-peeling competition and an ample supply of the beverages for which this city is famous.

Indeed, it is the friendliness and the focus on families and accessibility which are already emerging as the defining characteristics of the Brisbane to Bundaberg.

They are features that set it apart from bigger, more established races like the Sydney to Hobart, because while it still offers great competition and the opportunity to test strategy, seamanship, and navigational skills, it has started from the premise that not every sailor has the time, skills or experience to sign up for a gruelling three or four days battling an entire sea or ocean. 

I commend the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron for its initiative in launching this new offshore race, and acknowledge the valued support of Bundaberg Port Marina, the city of Bundaberg, and the race’s generous sponsors.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the winners, who will be announced tomorrow morning, and to thank all participating owners, skippers and crews for their willingness to be part of this inaugural event.

What makes this race all the more remarkable is that, barely three months ago, torrential rains over the catchment of the Burnett River produced devastating floods that inundated hundreds of homes and businesses in this region. 

Over 60 vessels were reported missing from the river, many of them washed out to sea or grounded in unexpected locations, including a prawn trawler which was famously stranded in a cane paddock.

But Bundaberg is nothing if not resilient – it may have experienced six significant flooding events in the last 15 years, but this has been a port city and a sailing destination since its earliest beginnings6 and it has bounced back every time. 

The determination and positive attitude of the people of this city will help ensure that this race becomes a classic.

Thank you again for welcoming us so warmly and for making this such a memorable occasion.