Melissa Warren is not one to be told she can’t do something. In high school, her French teacher advised against studying French at a prestigious university. So, she did it. Later, when living in France she expressed a desire to go to Paris and work in fashion. She was told it would be impossible. So, she did it.
Now Melissa, who works as the sailing manager at Mornington Yacht Club, mixes it with the best in the male dominated sport of offshore sailing, having competed in both the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the Melbourne to Hobart-Westcoaster.
Melissa grew up in central London and is proud of her Jamaican heritage. “My Mum always told us we were citizens of the world. As a result, we were quite an adventurous family, travelling extensively,” said Melissa. “I think that upbringing instilled a willingness to try new things and a deep interest in how other people live.”
It was while working for accountancy firm KPMG at Canary Wharf in London that Melissa first saw a poster from a sailing club looking for participants. Melissa is not one to sit on the sidelines, so she emailed the organiser and before long was joining a crew of six near the Needles, a world-famous landmark on the Isle of Wight in the English Channel and was hooked by the sport.
Then came a chance meeting with an Australian woman, Kate Woodlock, from KPMG’s Melbourne office. Kate had come to London to train staff for the firm. “I literally said ‘How can I move to Australia’?” said Melissa. “Soon a position in the KPMG office opened up and before I knew it, I had packed up and was moving here!”
That was ten years ago.
“I soon got involved in yachting in Melbourne too. I continued to learn and continued to practice, and it became an increasingly large part of my life.”
The pinnacle of her sailing experience has been participating in the last two Sydney Hobart Yacht Races, and one Melbourne to Hobart-Westcoaster.
In the 2025 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, of the 128 boats that competed, just 16 were owned or skippered by women, and of the 1281 sailors, 12% were women. Melissa was the first black woman to successfully complete in the Sydney to Hobart.
Asked about breaking down barriers for others, Melissa is philosophical. “I don’t see myself as breaking down barriers, but I appreciate that some people see that I do,” said Melissa. “It goes back to this idea of being a citizen of the world. I always felt that I have the right to be there, even if others don’t think I have the right to be there.”
Melissa has been volunteering for the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, focusing on getting more people involved in offshore racing. And more recently sailing in general in her role as sailing manager at Mornington Yacht Club.
There is this incorrect perception that sailing is unobtainable, or inaccessible, but nothing is further from the truth
“There is this incorrect perception that sailing is unobtainable, or inaccessible, but nothing is further from the truth,” said Melissa. “You don’t need a large budget; you just have to have passion.”
Melissa points out that a club like Mornington Yacht Club is run nearly completely by volunteers. “Sailing is a great community. From the young to the old, men and women alike,” said Melissa. “I believe in creating safe spaces where people feel welcome. I am especially passionate about encouraging more women to get involved!”
Melissa has achieved a lot so far in life, including once meeting the renowned scientist Stephen Hawking. Fundamentally, she holds the belief that first you have the dream, and then you just work out how to achieve that dream. “People dream about getting the opportunity to compete in the Sydney to Hobart, so when I finally got the chance, it was very emotional,” said Melissa. “You come off the boat, and your entire body is aching, and you think to yourself ‘I just did that’.”
“Now I’ve done two, I am more in the mindset of ‘this is something that I do’, and accept that it is who I am. I like that feeling.”
Just because she is an offshore racer, she’s not in it alone. “I love that we must work as a team. It’s a fantastic community; you’re depending on everyone to do their bit. Communication and preparation are key. Juggling the unknown,” she said.
“And there is a type of sailing for everyone. You don’t have to race to enjoy it. Cruising is a great option. And of course, if that’s not for you then just hanging out at the club is always fun. Just get involved. You’ll be glad you did!”
Mornington Yacht Club is celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026 and runs events multiple times a week.
As published in Peninsula Essence Magazine
