The emotional journey has now started as excitement builds for six young Upper Hunter youths who were selected to board the Young Endeavour ship later this year.
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The Upper Hunter based teenagers were randomly selected from more than 20 candidates at the Upper Hunter Shire Young Endeavour Celebration Dinner last Thursday night.
This is the start of an adventure that has been dubbed as one of the most rewarding and effective learning experiences in the lives of past participants.
About 130 family members, friends and sponsors of the nominees joined with the Upper Hunter Shire mayor and councillors to attend the dinner at Scone Golf Club where they heard the inspiring story of STS Young Endeavour chief petty officer marine technician Lindsey Smith.
Mr Smith has spoken at the celebration dinner in the past as he has served on HMA Ships Yarra, Jervis Bay, Stalwart, Parramatta, Kanimbla, Manoora, Tobruk and now STS Young Endeavour.
Mr Smith is known as the charge on board and is responsible for everything engineering and all the ship’s maintenance.
He said since posting to Young Endeavour the first time he has no ambition to go back to a warship and would like to finish his career with return postings to Young Endeavour where he can enjoy developing the youth in Australia.
“I have done some amazing things during my time in the Navy from being deployed to the Persian Gulf, Banda Aceh to help with disaster relief after Tsunami but by far the best job I have and the job that has given me more job satisfaction than anything else is sailing with youth on Young Endeavour,” he said.
This year’s 11 day voyage on the STS Young Endeavour will venture from Sydney around the surrounding oceans and back into Sydney from December 5.
Those selected to experience the adventure are Crystal Crowfoot - nominated by Scone High School P and C, Sophie Jenkins - nominated by SCADS, Nikki Hollingsworth - nominated by Scone Touch Football Association, Daniel Hogan - nominated by NSW Farmers Merriwa Branch, Lachlan Phelps - nominated by St Joseph’s Aberdeen and Anthony Beer - nominated by Scone Singers.
Throughout the years since 1998, 57 youths have been fortunate to board the voyage after the council adopted the program to provide young people from the country an opportunity to challenge and develop themselves in a way they would never normally encounter.
According to Upper Hunter Shire mayor Michael Johnsen said the Upper Hunter Shire Council proudly supports this unique youth development program and thanks the sponsors who have generously donated towards this worthy cause.
“I wish to congratulate all the young people who have been nominated.
“To get to this point you are all obviously held in high regard in your local community, schools and sporting groups,” Cr Johnsen said.
Cr Johnsen said the program allows the council to highlight and celebrate the wonderful contributions the young people of the shire make and they should all be very proud of being selected for this opportunity.
