Reception in support of Queensland Yacht Clubs - Professor Graeme Nimmo RFD address

Queensland Cruising Yacht Club Commodore David Hamilton; Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Commodore Curtis Skinner; Chief Executive Officer, Australian Sailing, Mr Malcolm Page OAM; Flag Officers; yacht club and squadron committee members, staff and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; sailors.

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

As Patron of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, and Joint Patron with my wife, Her Excellency the Governor, of the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club, I am delighted to welcome you to Government House for this Reception to honour Queensland’s sailing fraternity. I offer a special thanks to those of you who have travelled from afar to be here this evening.

Tonight, we shine a spotlight on the many benefits sailing brings to Queensland — strengthening our communities, supporting our economy, and enriching our sporting, recreational and tourism landscape.

Queensland is blessed with one of the most spectacular coastlines on Earth. From the shimmering shores of the Gold Coast to the turquoise waters of the Whitsundays and beyond, we truly are one of the world’s premier sailing destinations and a powerhouse in Australia’s yachting and boating scene – with pristine and readily accessible waterways that are central to our identity and economy.

Major events like the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race and the Hamilton Island Race Week attract global attention and provide a welcome boost to local businesses and the communities that rely on them.

As we look ahead, the waters off Townsville and Whitsundays are set to host the Olympic sailing events in 2032, showcasing the skills of the world’s best sailors to an estimated global audience of three billion viewers. This unprecedented exposure will further cement Queensland’s reputation as a premier sailing destination and inspire even more yachtsmen and women to set sail for our beautiful shores.

Her Excellency and I extend our very best wishes to all involved in the planning and delivery of this exciting initiative, including Australian Sailing. We are confident you will do both the sailing community and Queensland proud.

At this point, I would like to acknowledge Olympic Gold Medallist Malcolm Page OAM, and congratulate you on your recent appointment as CEO of Australian Sailing. Malcolm, thank you for the work Australian Sailing does to support all of those linked to Queensland’s sailing community in our 53 clubs from as far north as Port Douglas, south to the Gold Coast. 

And I offer my best wishes to those of you who are finalists in this year’s Queensland Sailing Awards to be announced later this month.

In closing, I want to thank each of you for the vital roles you play in shaping a vibrant and remarkable part of our state’s sporting culture, and for promoting the sheer joy and love of sailing which enriches our communities and brings us together. Your dedication and passion remind us that Queensland’s greatest treasures are not just found on land – they’re discovered at sea, under sail and in the stories, we share along the way.

May your voyages be safe, your winds fair and may your legacy continue to inspire.

We hope you have an enjoyable evening.