2021 Club Marine Marina of the Year finalists announced

Club Marine Marina of the Year Awards Dinner at Marinas19 International Conference and Trade Exhibition, held at Sea World Resort on the Gold Coast © Marina Industries Association

The 2021 Club Marine Marina of the Year Awards will be held on Tuesday 25 May 2021 at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney. The awards are usually presented at the conclusion of the biennial Marinas International Conference & Trade Exhibition which was to be held next month on the Gold Coast, yet despite the postponement of the event, entries were strong.

Submissions require entrants to reflect on their business direction, plans, strategies, innovations, and outcomes and must document them in a succinct presentation for the judges' consideration. This year entrants were also asked about how they managed the complexities of the pandemic and to outline any learnings and legacies that will benefit their business into the future.

In announcing the finalists, MIA CEO Suzanne Davies commented, "The line-up of entrants this year is impressive. We have 18 finalists named across nine award categories and it was a very tough job for the judging panel this year, with a number of very close calls.

The finalists in each award category follow and each will be recognised at a special gala dinner event.

• Commercial Marina of the Year under 140 Boats - Rivergate Marina & Shipyard QLD; Koolewong Marina NSW.
• Commercial Marina of the Year 140 Boats & Over - Sanctuary Cove Marina QLD, Wyndham Harbour Marina VIC, Birkenhead Point Marina NSW.
• Club of the Year - South of Perth Yacht Club WA; Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay NSW.
• 'Marina World' International Marina of the Year - One 15 Marina Club Singapore; Westhaven Marina NZ.
• Best Marina Restaurant - Waterside, Empire Marina NSW.
• Best Community Engagement - South of Perth Yacht Club, WA.
• Best Innovation - Westhaven Marina NZ; Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard QLD
• Best Drystack - White Bay 6 Marine Park NSW; Gold Coast City Marine QLD
• Boat Yard of the Year under 20 Boats - Fenwicks Marina NSW; White Bay 6 Marine Park NSW; South of Perth Yacht Club WA.

The winners of each category will be announced at the dinner where a trophy will be presented by MIA Chairman Andrew Chapman and Club Marine CEO Karen Te Maipi. Carol Fulford of Marina World will beam in from the UK to present the 'Marina World' International Marina of the Year Award.

As the major sponsor of the event and a representative on the judging panel, Karen Te Maipi, CEO Club Marine, commented on the excellent level of participation noting, "Club Marine is very proud to be part of these awards. It is great to see how dedicated marinas are to delivering quality outcomes for their customers and members. We are naturally very pleased to see first-hand how they support Club Marine members and boat owners to help protect their boating lifestyle."

With numbers at the dinner restricted due to Covid, tickets are very limited with only a few remaining so anyone wishing to attend should book in today.