Please share some of your early on-water memories.
In my teens, I went waterskiing nearly every weekend at Lake Munmorah on the NSW Central Coast. I also spent a lot of time living in Port Stephens, one of the most beautiful waterways in Australia, where boating, scuba diving and even game fishing became new interests.

Please share a snapshot of your career in the marine industry.
After nearly 25 years working in the hotel industry, I received a random call in 2006 asking if I’d be interested in the role of General Manager at the Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay. I didn’t really know anything about clubs and marinas, but I loved the water. It was an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable time with lots of challenges.

In 2013, I became General Manager at Middle Harbour Yacht Club until 2019 when a wonderful opportunity came up as CEO of Fremantle Sailing Club. As much as I loved Freo, the distance from family on the East Coast was a challenge, until a phone call in early 2022 from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) literally changed my direction.

I have now been at RQYS for over four years, and this is my 20th year in the marina industry. I’ve also spent time on the boards of both the Marina Industries Association and Boating Industry Association.

Can you give us an introduction to RQYS?
While Fremantle is recognised as the largest yacht club in Australia, RQYS is the second largest based on number of marina berths, but also has the benefit of large open lawn areas which make it the perfect venue for regattas and social activities.

Our facilities are extensive and some are unique for a yacht club, including a 39-room motel with a pool and a camping ground for regatta participants. We also have function rooms, a 90-seat auditorium, a bar and bistro, private members’ lounge, trailer boat and dinghy storage, 597 wet berths for boats from 10m-35m, four boat ramps and four rigging lawns.

However, the ‘jewel in the crown’ is Canaipa, our property on Russell Island. This beautiful piece of land has a swimming pool, amenities building and a new longhouse which can accommodate up to 200 people for events.

RQYS has twice been awarded Club of the Year at the Nautilus Marine Insurance Marina of the Year Awards.

In your view, what makes a great yacht club?
These awards are a true reflection of the work done by the entire team, our Board, volunteers and committees. We have a very large club with facilities spread over 13 hectares, but I think it’s the people, both members and employees, all having a shared vision of what’s important and working towards the same goal. We all want to be happy where we work and spend our leisure time.

RQYS is a 5 Gold Anchor marina and holds Clean Marina and Fish Friendly accreditations. How important are accreditations like these?
Industry accreditations and staff training and development ensure that we remain in touch with industry trends and maintain a level of competency for the benefit of our members and visitors to the marina.

Our Marina Manager Glen Scott has completed the Advanced Marina Management course, and Assistant Marina Manager David Fisher has completed the Intermediate Marina Management course and plans to do the Advanced Course later this year.

Is fostering the next generation of sailors important to the club?
Our sailing pathways have been extremely successful in developing many high-performing sailing athletes, and we are proud that an RQYS member has represented Australia at every Olympics in sailing since the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.

We continue to support and encourage our young sailors and are incredibly proud of the younger generation. However, one of our oldest sailors, Mr Kerry Waraker, who is 86 years old and has been an RQYS member for 59 years, also just won first place in the Legends Division at the Laser Master World Championships, which was held in Greece in June.

Tell us about the cruising grounds RQYS members have access to.
Moreton Bay offers a variety of boating destinations for swimming, fishing or just relaxing, whether it be North Stradbroke or Moreton Island, or one of the smaller islands like Peel with its beautiful Horseshoe Bay.

Visit rqys.com.au