In 1988, along with my parents and brothers I witnessed the tall ships enter Sydney Harbour for the Fleet review. This was part of Australia’s centenary celebrations and ships from all over the world came together, regardless of politics, to celebrate the ways of the mariner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As an eight-year-old I could not possibly understand the experience I was gaining but I appreciate the memory of it all so much more because it was an awe inspiring moment unspoilt by the many issues that come with being an adult. Now, as a former sailor with the Royal Australian Navy, I fully understand the event’s significance.
One ship amongst this flotilla was the Royal Australian Navy’s tall ship HMAS Young Endeavour. A gift from Her Majesty’s Royal Navy on the centenary of our country’s colonisation, she is affectionately called the Blue Angel by sailors in the Navy and a posting to her is a coveted spot that many would give their right arm for.
Australia uses this beautiful ship as a training centre for youth across the country and rightfully so. She offers a fantastic environment to learn much about life at sea and life in general. My favourite part of being a councillor is that I have the great privilege of seeing the selection of the billets that the Upper Hunter Shire will send to experience the young Endeavour.
By the time you read this, the six young people who will embark in 2018 will have been announced at an event last night for the generous sponsors who make the scheme possible.
This is very close to my heart as I know the feelings that these young adventurers will have when they eventually take charge of the ship and work as a team for the execution of a set of tasks that will be set by the Commanders of the ship.
Learning how to sail is a very small part of what the ship offers, these young men and women will be pushed outside their comfort zone in order to prove to them that they are capable of anything they put their minds to.
Competition to get on-board is tight and not everyone can go on this voyage of a lifetime but for the ones that do gain this experience, adventure awaits.
It is an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives and because of that they will challenge themselves to go harder, faster, longer and dig deeper for the rest of their lives. I congratulate all entrants and wish you the best of luck.
“Fair winds and following seas young mariners”.