Young Endeavour Seeks Australian Youth Crew

Are you a young Australian looking for the adventure of a lifetime? Imagine what it would be like to spend eleven days at sea with 23 other young people from around the country, learning to sail a magnificent square-rigged ship.

This is your chance to experience a voyage aboard Australia’s national sail training ship, Young Endeavour. The ballot is now open for young Australians aged 16 to 23 to crew Young Endeavour in 2012, on voyages to Sydney, Eden, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gladstone, Mackay, Airlie Beach, Townsville or Cairns.

A voyage in Young Endeavour is an amazing experience, and will help you to discover new reserves of character, confidence, teamwork and leadership.

Cadet Leading Seaman Trent Mayne, 18, says of his voyage, “Learning how to sail a multi million dollar ship, Young Endeavour, would have to be a peak experience in my life, so far.” According to Trent, “It was great making friends with people around different parts of Australia. The trip was fun, exciting, and most of all challenges you as a person.”

During each voyage, youth crew work with a Royal Australian Navy staff crew to learn the skills to sail Young Endeavour. Each youth crew member will have the opportunity to climb to the top of the 30 metre mast, set and furl sails, keep lookout, navigate using the ship’s charts, help the cook in the ship’s galley, and take the helm.

Once they have learned these skills, each youth crew takes command of the ship for 24 hours, sailing Young Endeavour along the Australian coast. On their last day at sea, the youth crew also host a local group of youth with special needs, sharing their new found knowledge and experience.

Despite having no previous sailing experience, on the final day of her voyage 23 year old Samantha Vertucci was presented with an award sponsored by the Order of Australia. The award is presented to a youth crew member in recognition of their capacity to embody the spirit of Young Endeavour, showing a spirit of friendship and supporting team members in striving to achieve personal goals.

“My voyage in Young Endeavour really increased my confidence. Everyone encourages each other, it was a great atmosphere.” Although she has too many great memories to choose a favourite, Samantha says climbing aloft, to the top of the 30 metre mast, would have to be a highlight.

Since 1988 the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, in partnership with the Royal Australian Navy, has provided challenging training voyages for over 11 000 young Australians in the tall ship Young Endeavour. The specially designed youth development program delivered onboard increases the youth crew’s self-awareness, fosters a strong sense of community spirit, and develops skills for life.

Young Endeavour will be hosting a series of free Public Open Days in Sydney, Eden, Melbourne and Hobart later in 2011. The staff and crew invite you to explore the ship, meet our youth crew and find out how to get aboard for the voyage of a lifetime.

Applications to sail Young Endeavour in 2012 will be accepted until 30 September 2011. For more information on dates and fees, or to apply for voyages, visit  visit www.youngendeavour.gov.au.