Opening Day of the 142nd Sailing Season

Delivered by Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD

Commander Christopher Unwin of HMAS Moreton; Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Commodore Curtis Skinner; Flag Officers and Board Members; Chief Executive Officer Karen Baldwin; Past Commodores; Life Members; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the land and waters on which we gather today, and I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

As Patron of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, it is a great pleasure to join you for the Opening Day of the 142nd Sailing Season and the traditional Blessing of the Fleet.

Today is about much more than launching another sailing season.  

It is an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable Queensland institution whose story stretches back to 1885 and whose heritage is deeply interwoven with that of our state.  

From its earliest days under Sir Thomas McIlwraith, the Squadron's first Commodore, through the contributions of figures such as E.B. Forrest and Thomas Welsby, the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has played an important role in Queensland's maritime and community life.

For 142 seasons, sailors have gathered in anticipation of the adventures, challenges and friendships that await on the waters of Moreton Bay and beyond. While the boats, equipment and technologies have changed considerably since those early years, the qualities that define sailing remain very much the same: skill, teamwork, resilience, judgement and respect for the sea.

The enduring success of this Squadron is ultimately not about the boats or the marina. It is about people — generations of members, volunteers, coaches, officials and staff who have dedicated their time, expertise and enthusiasm to building the vibrant community we see today.  

Recent honours, including Clubs Queensland's Club of the Year (Non-Gaming) awards and recognition from the Marina Industries Association, reflect the high standards and strong leadership that continue to guide the organisation.

As many of you know, this occasion also marks something of a personal milestone: it is my fifth and final Opening Day as Patron of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. That being the case, I am grateful this year has offered so many opportunities to celebrate Queensland sailing at its best.

One of the highlights of this year was undoubtedly the inaugural Brisbane to Bundaberg Offshore Yacht Race. I was fortunate to officiate the start of this exciting new event, and Her Excellency and I were delighted to help welcome the sailors of Wedgetail to Bundaberg at the completion of their stately voyage along Queensland's magnificent coastline. Wedgetail was one of only five out of 11 yachts to finish due to excessively calm conditions.

Therefore, I suggest that anyone looking to break an offshore record sign up for the next Brisbane to Bundaberg — as probably you’ll never get a better shot at it!

While not RQYS events, my wife and I attended the Skippers Welcome Cocktail Party for Hamilton Island Race Week and also joined competitors, volunteers and community leaders at the Airlie Beach Race Week presentation dinner earlier this month. As you would be aware, many RQ Yachts compete and I was very pleased to sail two of the early races at Hamilton Island in John Bashford’s Recherche in fairly trying conditions, including a near miss with a whale.

Later in the week, Recherche achieved a podium finish, sadly in my absence.

Needless to say, these events are wonderful demonstrations of seamanship, determination and sporting spirit. Offshore racing inevitably presents challenges and tests of endurance, but it also showcases the very best of our sailing community.  

Serving as your Patron has been both a privilege and a pleasure. The opportunity to spend time with so many members and to witness first-hand the passion, commitment and sense of community that define this organisation has been a pleasure and a privilege, and I will always value the friendships formed and the warm welcome that has been extended to me over the years.

As we prepare for the Blessing of the Fleet, let us reflect on the generations of sailors who have gone before us and look forward with confidence to the season ahead. To every skipper, crew member, volunteer and supporter, I wish you fair winds, safe passages and many memorable days on the water — and no whale strikes!

It now gives me great pleasure to declare the 142nd Sailing Season of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron officially open.