At first glance, the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) and Gumdale State School may seem to belong to entirely different realms — one rooted in competitive sailing and marine recreation, the other in primary education. However, since the partnership began in 2016, a deeper look reveals that the relationship between RQYS and Gumdale State School has flourished through shared values of community engagement, leadership, and youth development. At the heart of this collaboration is a mutual commitment to nurturing young talent. The Squadron, with its rich maritime heritage, serves as both a hub for competitive sailing and a strong advocate for community outreach, providing youth with valuable opportunities to engage in the sport. Similarly, Gumdale State School, located in Brisbane’s Bayside, prioritises holistic education, balancing academic excellence with the development of well-rounded individuals. This shared ethos of helping young people reach their full potential has been the foundation of their successful partnership. Through its Sailing Academy, RQYS offers around 600 Gumdale students each year the chance to participate in introductory lessons, regattas, and structured sailing races. The school has a presence at the Squadron for nine months of the year and, for many students, RQYS represents more than just a place to learn about boats. It’s an environment where they can practice teamwork, perseverance, resilience, and leadership. Gumdale school students ‘GROW Well’ Nurturing young talent afloat and ashore is a fundamental tenet of the Squadron Academy’s collaborative program Gumdale State School Principal Phil Savill tells of the positive effects — in the school community and across the students’ families, friends and contacts on Brisbane’s Bayside and beyond — of the collaboration with RQYS as a hub for youngsters’ learning, growth and development. Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Yearbook Mainsheet 2024 43 Growing our community
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