To celebrate International Women's Day 2022, Australian Sailing is proud to spotlight some amazing women from across the country who are doing exceptional work in their sailing community.

NSW

Introducing Jaime Swavley of NSW 

Jaime has been involved in coaching for the past 8 years and recently finished a Bachelor of Sports Coaching to continue her career path in the Sailing.

She has led the Optimist program for the past 6 years at Hunters Hill Sailing Club, recently finishing up in January this year. In Jaime's own words: “It’s been really special to see a big group of girls loving their sailing, out on the water often 3 days a week. I feel privileged to be in this position where I can encourage these girls in their love & development in our sport.” 

Jaime is also a Senior Coach & Senior Instructor, where she delivers courses in NSW and interstate. She has recently received a scholarship with Australian Sailing to further develop as a coach in high performance.

VIC

Introducing Delma Dunoon from the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Inc. (ORCV) in VIC 

Delma Dunoon is a member of the ORCV's Marketing and Sponsorship committee and an inspiration to volunteers and members alike. She wrangles the media, runs interviews with competitors, and when she asks us to send pictures and commentary during our races we dare not let her down. She leads by example with her passion, professionalism and her never give up approach. If it can be done, it will be! 

Her contributions have been invaluable during these unprecedented times culminating in the ORCV being awarded Australian Sailing's 2021 Sports Media award.

SA

Introducing Kaz Eaton of Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron in SA.

Kaz is the Commodore of the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron and is passionate about developing women’s sailing.

Kaz is a foundation member of the Squadrons #SheSails committee and has been very successful in promoting through the Squadrons various women in sailing opportunities, growth in female membership across a number of clubs. 

Throughout 2021 Kaz gave lectures at Australian Sailing - SA events to encourage other Adelaide clubs to embrace the SheSails philosophy. 

TAS

Introducing Teresa Badrock from Leven Yacht Club in TAS

Teresa has been the Sailing Training Co-ordinator for two seasons at Leven, Secretary at Burnie and #SheSails Rep at Leven & PDYC. 

Teresa and the SheSails team at Leven implemented Women's Sailing Days over the past two seasons; giving women in the local community an opportunity to experience sailing and have a go at something different. 

Teresa shared with us that her dream is that in the future, the events and programs they currently run to encourage women to sail can be utilised in a similar way to inspire any minority group to be involved in sailing.

QLD

Introducing Ann McLindin from QLD. Ann has been helping steer the Brisbane Sailing Squadron for over the past 40 years! 

Ann joined the Committee in 1976 and apart from a few short breaks along the way, Ann has provided continuous service to the club as a non-sailing volunteer. Ann has supported more than 10 Commodores in her time as Secretary and the importance of her role in the efficient administration of the club and maintaining high standards of governance cannot be understated.

Her voluntary contribution extends far beyond the role of Secretary and over the years she consistently worked above and beyond to promote the interests of the club and serve the membership. Sourcing of financial grants and sponsorships, organising social events, ensuring the smooth running of race days, government relations are but a few of the voluntary activities undertaken by this amazing woman.

WA

Introducing the Akamai Race Team from WA

This inspiring group of youth sailors based in Perth have been doing an amazing job flying the flag for female participation in sailing.

Throughout the summer they have led the way demonstrating the opportunities for female sailors in high performance. Lucy Alderson has led the Akamai Race Team to a Women’s State Keelboat Championships and has placed strongly across multiple match racing regattas within WA.

The group have also been very active in the community taking part in Beach Clean-ups and Women on Water networking events. 

NT

Introducing Robyn Dix from the Northern Territory.

Robyn is an active member of Darwin Sailing Club and Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association. Robyn’s work in passing on her love of sailing to others has been outstanding! 

She is currently facilitating Emergency Preparedness Workshops for sailors in NT and in Robyn’s own words below (in particular her final sentence) really sum up why we want to put this amazing person in the spotlight: 

“Sailing has given me a love for the personal challenges and there is always something new to learn. It continues to teach me resilience – the only way home is to work it out and put the sails up! Sailing inspires freedom and open spaces while sailing alongside whales, dolphins and dugongs or night sailing under a sky full of stars. Sailing brings the opportunity of meeting new people and visiting new and exciting places. Most importantly of all for me, sailing is the joy of sharing my knowledge and skills with my crew, watching them grow, learn and begin their own exciting life on the water”.