Cottee, Kay

Sportswoman, author and artist. Kay Cottee became in 1988 the first woman to sail solo, unassisted and nonstop round the world in her 11 metre sloop First Lady. That year Cottee was named Australian of the Year. She has published two autobiographical books, First Lady: a history-making solo voyage around the world (1989), and All at sea on land: and First Lady ten years on (1998). In 1989 Cottee was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to the sport of sailing, the community and to youth. She was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. Cottee was chair of the Australian National Maritime Museum from 1995-2001, and is active as a motivational speaker, skilled boat builder, painter and sculptor.