Let me start with once again sharing the excitement when RQYS was awarded ‘Club of the Year – Non-Gaming’ from Clubs Queensland in March. This was on the back of an earlier award-winning ‘Club of the Year’ from the Marina Industry Association in 2023, which was followed by confirmation of our status as a 5 Gold Anchor Marina. All this recognition is testimony to the efforts made by our employees, but also a lot of credit must go to our Volunteers and our Members. We are fast becoming recognised as a “friendly and welcoming” Club which runs “awesome” regattas and events, so it’s many thanks to all of you for your support and assistance throughout the year, helping us make a good club an even greater Club. Completion of the long-awaited Canaipa Longhouse was an amazing celebration held on 30 June 2024 and now so many Members are enjoying this incredible new facility which we are sure makes many other clubs quite envious. The atmosphere around the Squadron was abuzz with excitement and a lot of noise (unfortunately) due to the clubhouse renovations which kicked off in February. The official re-opening and completion of this work took place on Friday 1 November, and everyone has been notably impressed with the fabulous new spaces available for Members and guests to enjoy. These include the new Girdis Room deck which opens out overlooking the main rigging lawn and is a great new feature for this function space. The new Burgee Lounge and Dining Room is now a comfortable, relaxing and air-conditioned space — and, curiously, many have now quickly forgotten what the old bar used to look like (or where the door to the men’s room was)! The other addition has been a lift between the new lounge and the Flags function room – and it also comes with a view! These are all the improvements that everyone sees, but there were also a lot of major behind-the-scenes changes which included installation of a large new coolroom, new and upgraded audio-visual systems with TVs and speakers, as well as much needed new electrical wiring through the entire Cavill Building. A few finishing touches — such as the external landscaping and paving — are now also complete. There is another very important point to note here, and something which most members would probably not realise, but with a renewed emphasis on controlling expenditure and generating income, the Squadron has been able to manage and pay for all these projects without the need to borrow funds. This, again, is indeed a huge tribute to the efforts of a hard-working team of staff supported by our Volunteers and Committees. With compliments to all involved Teamwork really does make for ‘dreamwork’ as 2024’s progress, outcomes and accolades can definitely attest. Looking back over the last 12 months showcases an amazing range of activities and achievements continuing to highlight the benefits that membership of the Squadron provides for everyone, Karen Baldwin reflects, including the ongoing recognition of external industry awards. Mainsheet 2024 Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Yearbook 6 Chief Executive Officer’s Report
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