Mrs ELIZABETH GRACE (10:35 PM) —Yacht racing is a virus that infects and uses sailors. Once infected, there is no known antibiotic to negate the effects. Sailing has been a human concern since the first people found themselves separated by a body of water from greener pastures they wished to investigate. From the first unstable log to today's ballasted, carbon fibre tubes, the driving force has not altered. Sailing is still a primordial desire to overcome nature in its own terms.

It is hard to believe that the desire to foster the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race began with a dozen or so sailing enthusiasts in Doug Drouyn's music store in George Street in Brisbane. Doug Drouyn wanted to create an ocean race for Queensland after being part of the 1947 Sydney to Hobart race. He and his friends became the founding members of the Queensland Cruising Yacht Club and floated the idea of a large boat cruiser race in Queensland in 1948. By November 1947, the members had met to seriously discuss the cruise race to Bowen. This did not eventuate because insufficient funds were available to stage such a race and it was considered dangerous to set a course that would require night sailing through unlit reefs and islands.

Whilst Bowen proved impractical, Gladstone was enthusiastically accepted. Gladstone had a suitable safe port, an established yacht club, enthusiastic members and it was close enough for the yachts to reach it during the Easter period. Unfortunately, a cyclone hit Gladstone just prior to the first race and caused widespread devastation, throwing the race in doubt. Further doubt was caused by the noble gesture of certain members of the club offering funds needed to stage the race to help with the cyclone relief. Fortunately, Gladstone's need for funds was less urgent than the desire for the race, and the race proceeded as planned. The club secretary, Doug Drouyn, said:

It is now the intention of the club to conduct the race as an appeal for funds for the relief of cyclone victims.

He went on to point out:

It has been an unwritten law among sailing men that boats in distress must be assisted and at the present time Gladstone resembles a boat in trouble.

Several cheques were presented at the post-race receptions. The Courier-Mail described the first race as `painted ships on a painted ocean' and reported that over 6,000 people watched from Woody Point. In Gladstone the crews were welcomed as heroes, a civic reception was held and Gladstone's mayor, J.F. O'Malley, toasted the QCYC officials and crews and indicated in no uncertain terms his view of the historic significance and continued success of the race.

In 1955 the start of the race shifted to the bayside suburb of Sandgate, which is in my electorate of Lilley. Rumour has it that the reason they moved the race was that the toll collectors on the Hornibrook Highway refused to give the yacht club a donation for a trophy. May I thank the toll collectors for their decision to not sponsor the trophy because the race has found a wonderful home in Sandgate and my husband and I always enjoy watching the ships leave every Easter.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Ivan Holm, who sailed in the first race and continued to do so until 1995. Ivan completed 47 consecutive Brisbane to Gladstone races, all but four in his own yacht, Laurabada, which will compete again this year for her 46th tour. Unfortunately, Ivan passed away in July last year. His ashes were scattered on Lady Musgrave Island, so he will be remembered by all the sailors as the fleet sails past Lady Musgrave Island this year. Forty-seven consecutive Brisbane to Gladstone races is a fantastic record and one that has a unique place in the sporting annals of Australia.

In 1949 Ivan Holm and other intrepid sailors set out to Gladstone in the traditional displacement hulls driven by largely non-adjustable natural fibre sails and ropes set upon rigid tree trunks. Fifty years on in 1998 the fleet will utilise lightweight hulls with an array of high-tech masts which will be dictated by all sorts of electronic aids beyond the wildest dreams of the race founders. We have moved from the gravitational pull of Neptunian physics to the freeing influence of quantum mechanics of Einstein's universe.

The 50th anniversary will see over 200 yachts and more than 1,600 sailors. I would like to thank Terry Halton, for my speech was sourced from an article he wrote entitled `History, the first 50 years'. This article will appear in the 50th anniversary souvenir program for the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race, which leaves Sandgate on Friday.