WOW at Gippsland Lakes as actions accelerate
by Rosie Colahan 29 Apr 13:33 PDT
31 May 2025
Explorer 16 Swallow winner of MPONR All Female Crew division © Rosie Colahan
"Women on Water" at Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club (GLYC) has wasted no time in getting on board with the UN International Women's Day 2025 theme to #accelerateaction for gender equality in the sport.
Channelling the words of A J Patterson "There was movement at the station as word had got around... and the starting sequence has begun. Yes! Here in Victoria's Gippsland "Riviera" where rivers meet the sea, the word is about "women - sailing - safety" and gaining confidence, access and opportunities to pursue their boating and/or sailing dreams.
Vice Commodore of Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, Anne Delahay has been busy actively leading the charge, developing a Safety Workshop the "Women on Water Gathering" to be run on Saturday 31 May 2025 0900-1430 hrs. The program, by women, for women, is open to all "water women who enjoy boating", whether novice or more experienced. An invitation from Anne -
"Come and meet our local expert guest speaker, Senior Constable Kate Middleton, who will share her experiences, recreational and professional, working on 'The Lakes'.
Meet up with other water-wise women and learn new skills to keep yourself, your family and your friends safe on the water.
Interactive knowledge sessions will cover:
- Lifejacket fitting and servicing provided by Safe Transport Victoria (Gippsland region).
- VHF radio theory and hands-on operation
- (Wo)Man Over Board recovery demonstration.
Cost of $25 includes a light lunch and refreshments.
We look forward to meeting you all at a WOW of a gathering!"
Booking are now open www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1377915
For more information call Anne Delahay 0438 777 484.
The Safety Workshop has been generously supported by the ORCV KISS ALIVE Committee providing their expertise, resources and enthusiasm to ensure inclusion and equity of access for women in rural areas to educational programs and on water activities.
Other progress for women's inclusion in competitive sailing on the Lakes was also made earlier this year, with the annual GLYC/LWYC iconic Marlay Point Overnight Race (established 1969). Adding a new division to recognise the hard work, dedication, and skill of female sailors, the "All Female Crew" award for the highest-placed all female-crewed boat on handicap was created. Auspiciously, the MPONR start scheduled for Saturday 8 March 2025 aligned perfectly with the annual IWD day of celebration, stamping the event as a response to the 2025 call to #accelerateaction.
For the inaugural running, Sue Burke from Williamstown Sailing Club, veteran of many Marlay Point Overnight races with all-female crews and owner of Explorer 16 "Swallow" for 14 years, was delighted along with crew Susan Morwood and Sacha Koltun with their decisive win. A rousing spirited applause at the presentation of the inaugural MPONR All Female Crew Award, validated testament to the skills of the "GLOSS"(Gippsland Lakes Overnight Sailing Sisters).
Within the entire 2025 fleet, the Youngest Skipper award went to 28yo Michelle Bursar helming trailer sailer Almost Too-Farr 6000, adding further testament and recognition of the interest by women across the board to be included in these exciting challenges
Event organisers Di Floyd and Vice Commodore Anne Delahay were thrilled with the outcome and are already keenly encouraging more female sailors to grow the fleet for Women on Water and start planning for participating in MPONR 2026. The WOW Gathering may be the perfect motivator and venue for collaboration with other women to build their own teams and "leave no women behind".
Across the waters at Metung Yacht Club, Sarah Clough is on the move to #accelerateaction training up her local crew for a tilt at the 2025 Australian Women's Keelboat event at Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron on the King's Birthday weekend 6-9 June. A very important link as Sarah's mother, Gai Clough as a pioneering instrumental founder of AWKR in 1990 and later became Commodore at RMYS. The Clough family spirit and passion for racing continues and with access to a loaned RMYS Beneteau 30 "Crusader" for the event, helm Sarah and MYC crew members - Lee Renfree (KISS program founder), SC Kate Middleton, GLYC members Jacqui Crawford and Katrina Fleming are keen to wave the flag for their rural clubs. We wish the Gippsland women good luck and fair winds as they compete against other top teams from around Australia.
Looking for more opportunities to #accelerateaction with your own on-water dreams? Visit KISS ALIVE (www.orcv.org.au/training/kiss) on the ORCV website and discover a broad range of activities - training, racing, cruising and social for women across Victoria. Check out the 2025 Female Keelboat Sailing Events in Victoria Calendar at the bottom of the page and you will never miss out on an opportunity to participate.
Any questions, email us at .