MEDIA RELEASE
21 DECEMBER 2007
Young Endeavour youth crew accompany Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet south
A youth crew will take to the high seas as they accompany the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race fleet south onboard the tall ship Young Endeavour. Noakes Youth and the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme have collaborated to give 24 young people the adventure of a lifetime.
The youth crew, aged 18—26, will sail the tall ship Young Endeavour, a modern sailing ship built with cutting-edge technology, to Hobart as a support communications vessel. Twelve of the young people have been selected through organisations working with youth from disadvantaged or refugee backgrounds. Many have never sailed before.
Six young men and women from Tasmania’s Huon Valley were selected through Noakes Youth, founded by Sean Langman, one of Australia’s leading yachtsmen, in 2005.
‘Noakes Youth is about increasing community involvement in the sport of sailing and increasing sailing’s involvement in the community,’ Mr Langman said. Mr Langman will sail with Young Endeavour’s youth crew on the voyage.
‘This is a real quest for adventure; I look forward to sharing it with this unique youth crew. It will be challenging and exhilarating and I think we will all walk a bit taller by the time we reach Hobart.’
Three young women won the berths by completing the PCYC NSW Blue Star leadership program based on citizenship, commitment, respect, reliance and integrity.
Three young men, new members of the Geelong community originally from Sudan and Cambodia, successfully completed the Yes2 leadership project coordinated by the Victoria Police and Barwon Youth culminating in a voyage onboard Young Endeavour and an apprenticeship offered by SKILLED.
The remaining youth crew are Young Endeavour alumni—they have completed the youth development program onboard the tall ship.
‘During the estimated five-day voyage the youth crew will sail the tall ship; they will climb the mast, set sails, navigate, keep watch and take the helm,’ Commanding Officer Chris Galloway said. ‘For so many young people, a voyage on Young Endeavour is a life changing experience.’
‘Young Endeavour Youth Scheme was recently awarded the 2007 International Sail Training Organisation of the Year in recognition of the success of its youth development program.’
‘While the usual program will not be conducted onboard, this challenging experience will push them outside their comfort zone, develop skills in teamwork, leadership and communication and greater self confidence.’
The youth crew will be supported by the professional Royal Australian Navy crew, who conduct the youth development program onboard Young Endeavour.
Young people, aged 16-23, can get onboard the Young Endeavour in 2008 to complete the youth development program during an 11-day voyage. Around 20 voyages are available each year.
Applications for a youth crew berth can be made from 26 December. Applications close on 29 February and go into a ballot. Apply online www.youngendeavour.gov.au or call 1800 020 444. Community and corporate organisations can create a scholarship berth for a young person of their choice.
In 2008 the Young Endeavour celebrates its 20th anniversary.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
YEYS Marketing Manager, Charnelle Mondy, 02 9359 3658, 0431133707
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:
Commanding Officer, Young Endeavour, Chris Galloway
Sean Langman
Youth crew
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
26 December 2007
Rolex Sydney Hobart youth crew onboard Young Endeavour
9.00am
Berth 5A, Fleet Base East, Garden Island, Cowper Wharf Road.
Berth 5A is not publicly accessible: contact YEYS to organise access.
31 December 2007 (estimated, TBC)
Rolex Sydney Hobart youth crew arrival and end-of-voyage presentation onboard Young Endeavour
End-of-voyage presentation to be attended by Mr Duncan Kerr, Federal Member for Denison
2.15pm—2.45pm
Princes Wharf 2 (access through shed), Hobart
MEDIA RELEASE
20 NOVEMBER 2007
The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme was today acknowledged as the world-leader in sail training, receiving the Sail Training Organisation of the Year award. It was awarded by Sail Training International and announced at a prestigious ceremony in Liverpool, England.
The award recognises innovation and best practice in sail training for young people.
The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme runs a dynamic and unique development program onboard the tall ship, Young Endeavour, for youth aged 16 to 23.
Over 20 voyages are conducted each year by the not-for-profit organisation in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy.
‘It is a great honour to be selected from sail training organisations throughout the world and to receive this award,’ said Mr Stephen Moss, Executive Director of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme.
'The award acknowledges the positive impact that the sail training program on Young Endeavour has made on so many young Australians.'
The ship was purpose-built for sail training and was the United Kingdom’s Bicentennial gift to Australia in 1988. More than 9500 young Australians have sailed onboard over the past 20 years. Over the course of an 11-day voyage, 24 youth crew learn all aspects of sailing a 44 metre square rigged tall ship including climbing the 30 metre mast, setting and furling sails, navigating, keeping watch and taking the helm. It is a challenging experience designed to push youth outside their comfort zone, develop skills in teamwork, leadership and communication, greater self confidence and a sense of community responsibility.
For so many young people, a voyage on Young Endeavour is a life changing experience,' said Captain of Young Endeavour, Commander Chris Galloway. 'This award recognises the importance of Young Endeavour to Australians and that the program is acknowledged as a world leader in the international sail training arena.'
The Young Endeavour is operated by a Royal Australian Navy crew who are highly skilled and dedicated to ensuring youth get the most benefit possible out of the development program.
Youth travel from all over Australia to take part in Young Endeavour voyages, which sail along the east coast of Australia, as far north as Cairns, south to Tasmania and across to Adelaide.