WHAT: STS Young Endeavour will arrive at Airlie Beach crewed by 24 young Australians from around the country, including six from Queensland.
WHEN: 9:45am for a 10:00am arrival, Saturday 9 July 2016
WHERE: Coral Sea Marina Resort, Shingley Drive, Airlie Beach
WHO: Lieutenant Commander Gavin Dawe OAM RAN, Commanding Officer of STS Young Endeavour, and the 24 youth who have sailed the ship from Gladstone.
The national Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour will arrive in Airlie Beach on Saturday 9 July 2016 – the vessel’s first visit in more than two years.
During their voyage the youth crew who have sailed STS Young Endeavour from Gladstone have learnt the skills they need to keep watch, navigate, set and furl the sails, and cook in the galley of the square-rigged tall ship. Most of them had never sailed prior to applying to join the Young Endeavour Youth Development Program during the ship’s 2016 Circumnavigation of Australia.
Youth Crew member Chantelle D’Souza, of Sydney, couldn’t think of a better way to spend her 19th birthday this Saturday than sailing in to Airlie Beach and seeing a different view of the Whitsunday region.
“I’d never been to this part of Australia before, and it’s been great to be able to see it from the top of a tall ship,” said Chantelle.
“The first time I climbed the mast my legs were shaking the whole time – but now it’s one of my favourite things to do and I always put myself out there and volunteer to climb. The view that you get up there is like nothing else.”
Since 1988 the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy, has provided challenging training voyages for over 12,500 young Australians aboard the tall ship Young Endeavour. These voyages provide young people with a unique, challenging and inspirational experience that increases self awareness, develops teamwork and leadership skills and creates a strong sense of community responsibility.
Members of the public are invited to attend a free Open Day aboard STS Young Endeavour at Coral Sea Marina Resort, Shingley Drive from 1:00-4:00pm on Sunday 10 July 2016. Meet the crew and find out how to set sail on the journey of a lifetime!
From Airlie Beach, Young Endeavour will sail north around Cape York and across the Top End, visiting the ports of Cairns, Gove, Darwin and Broome before sailing down the west coast, returning to Sydney in early 2017.
Voyages in Young Endeavour are open to all Australians aged 16-23. Applications are now open. For more information please visit www.youngendeavour.gov.au.
MEDIA NOTE:
Limited places are available for media representatives to join the crew for a three hour sail aboard STS Young Endeavour on Friday 8 July 2016, prior to arrival at Airlie Beach.
To register please contact Jennifer Reilly on 0447 401 677.
Photos of STS Young Endeavour and of Chantelle D’Souza on board in the Whitsundays are available on request.