Kellett competed internationally in Olympic classes before moving on to take part in the America's Cup for Australia on three occasions.

The 65-year-old has participated in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on 40 occasions, skippering Sovereign to line and handicap honours in the 1987 edition and for the past 15 years has been a part of the safety network, controlling the race at sea.

In 1992, he joined the ISAF serving as a member of the Council until 1998.

From 1994 to 1998 he was a member of the Events Committee and from 1997 to 1998, a member of the Oceanic Committee.

In 1998, Kellett was elected as an ISAF vice-president and held the position through to 2008 before becoming treasurer from 2008 to 2012.

He has also been heavily involved in Olympic sailing, serving on the Sydney 2000 Olympic Working Party and on the Advisory Board for the Games, as well as acting as the ISAF President's liaison during the Games.

He was also part of Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Management teams and served as ISAF Technical Delegate for the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic sailing competitions.

Kellett will be the first recipient of the Beppe Croce Trophy from outside Europe and the Americas when he receives the honour at the ISAF Council meeting in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on November 7.

The award, first presented in 1988, is named in honour of Italian Beppe Croce, who served as ISAF President from 1969 to 1986.

King Olav V of Norway was the first recipient in 1988, while Sweden's Göran Petersson was given the honour last year.

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