Keppel Bay Sailing Club wins Best Club in Australia
Posted on November 8th, 2023
With exceptional growth in membership, hosting highly successful regattas throughout the year, and consistent growth in participation across a range of club-related positions and activities, the Capricorn Coast’s Keppel Bay Sailing Club has anchored the top gong at the 2023 Australian Sailing Awards.
Held at the Australian National Maritime Museum on Friday 3rd November, Australian Sailing’s annual honours evening proudly recognised achievements and acknowledged the contribution on members of their community.
The Awards have been the premier off-water celebration for sailing in Australia for many decades.
Following a track record of increased focus on their juniors and learn to sail programs, together with provision of financial support and encouragement to their members, staff and volunteers, Keppel Bay Sailing Club took out Australia’s Club of the Year (Category A) after being named Queensland’s Club of the Year in October.
Established in 1957, Keppel Bay Sailing Club began with a group of passionate and dedicated sailors and volunteers who wanted to evolve sailing for the Yeppoon community. Today, the Club operates four venues and employs over 120 staff from the local area.
Keppel Bay Sailing Club’s General Manager, Mal Cochrane was thrilled to have the head of their sailing team, Mike Robinson accept the prestigious Award on behalf of the Club.
“Our entire organisation has focused and worked as one for many years now to ensure that we reached this pinnacle in the Club’s success,” Mal said.
“Sailing within the Capricorn Coast destination has grown significantly, and we are fortunate to have the support of a passionate team of staff and volunteers who have contributed to the Club’s accomplishments.”
Keppel Bay Sailing Club’s triumphs have been on the rise for some time, with the wheels currently in motion for the new state-of-the-art Keppel Bay Sailing. Now visible as the old building was demolished and the new foundations are established, the facility will deliver a first-class conference venue for the Capricorn Coast and greater Central Queensland region.
The Club’s bold plans incorporate dramatic and prominent contemporary architecture, leading technologies, and a unique combination of innovative, yet functional meeting spaces and facilities.
“We have overcome significant challenges of late with the main Clubhouse currently being rebuilt, and I would personally like to thank every one of our staff from glassies, bar staff, gaming staff,
kitchen staff and management who have all been part of the Club’s sailing achievement and should be very proud,” Mal said.
Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll congratulates the team from Keppel Bay Sailing Club, who continue to raise the bar for our destination through both the sport of sailing and tourism.
“The Keppel Bay Sailing Club has been a long-standing landmark proudly perched at the entrance point to Yeppoon’s main beach,” Mary said.
“Their sailing events not only welcome and encourage both amateur and experienced sailors, but regattas and racing events provide onlookers along Yeppoon’s foreshore precinct with a vibrant kaleidoscope of on-water activity as hundreds of sailing boats leave the beach.”
“On behalf of Capricorn Enterprise, we congratulate Mal, the Keppel Bay Sailing Club Board of Directors, and entire team of staff and volunteers on continuing to deliver exceptional standards both on and off the water.”
Click here to view the full list of Australian Sailing Award winners.
For more information on sailing, or Club activities, visit www.kbsc.com.au.
