Pam Messenger, President of the Associates Committee was proud to present 4 women with their medallions at the QLD on Friday night, 3 women getting their names onto the Sheila Patrick memorial trophy for 10 Sydney Hobart races, and one getting her name on the Associates 15 Sydney Hobart Races Trophy. 

Those honoured with were:
 
Sue Crafer, who is in Qingdao at present at the Paralympics, supporting the Australian team as physiotherapist, and no doubt sailing experience.  Well known sailor and marine journalist Vanessa Dudley graciously accepted the award on Sue’s behalf.  Sue will be joining the 2008/09 Green Dragon Volvo Ocean Race as team physiotherapist.
 
Mary Holley who has actually completed 11 Sydney Hobart races, goes on to sail her 10th race on Aurora, the Farr 40 (One Off, not One Design) she owns with husband Jim.  They have also raced to Lord Howe on Aurora, and were the first entrant for this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race.  
 
Julie Hodder brought a strong contingent of fellow sailors from MHYC, many of whom have also competed in a Hobart.  Julie has raced in over 30 East Coast Races up the coast to Coffs (9), Southport (12) and Mooloolaba (11).  She also has a Certificate of Excellence from the Navigator’s Society of Australia. 

Gail Harland has now completed 15 Sydney Hobart Yacht races, quite a few with Michael Spies, including a win overall on IMS and IRC in 2003 on First National Real Estate.  Michael travelled down from Wingham specially to attend the QLD, and to make a speech on Gail’s behalf.  Adrienne Cahalan is the only other woman (that has been recorded!) to have competed in 16 races. 
The Sheila Patrick Memorial Trophy was introduced by the Associates Committee in 2001, to recognise those women completing 10 Hobart races.  Sheila Patrick was a great achiever in her time, and a true role model and inspiration for all women sailors.  In the late 1930’s Sheila formed the original “all girl racing crew”, competing against men in yacht races on Sydney Harbour.  In 1941 she became the first woman in Australia to obtain her Yacht Master’s Certificate.  In 1949 Sheila became the first woman member of the CYC.  She was an independent women involved in sailing for the love of it, at a time when this was still quite unusual. 
 
It was pleasing to see the many young women from the Youth Sailing Academy receive their first Sydney Hobart yacht race awards at this year’s QLD, and we look forward to honouring them in the years to come. – Pam Messenger