Happy Birthday Young Endeavour!

Situation at 20:00Overnight the watches conducted a teamwork exercise designed to highlight the need for cooperation and tolerance of one anotherwhen completing a complex task. It was a valuable experience that proved beneficial to the entire Youth Crew.Today started at 06:00 when wakey wakey was piped and all hands turned to preparing the Ship for the 15th anniversary celebrations. By 07:00 we were secured alongside the Naval Base at Garden Island, cleaning the Ship and taking on fresh stores. Included amongst the 60 guests onboard was several members of past Youth Crews as well as past and present members of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme Advisory Board. The Ship was honoured to have onboard three distinguishedguests: The British Consul General Mr. Peter Beckingham, Senator Marise Payne and RADM Raydon Gates. Each of the distinguished guests spoke about their involvement with YOUNG ENDEAVOUR and how impressed they were with the Youth Crew. With a fresh Nor’ East breeze blowing, the Ship sailed at 13:15 for a tour of Sydney Harbour. The Youth Crewperformed their role of host magnificantly and ensured that all our guests were taken care of while we sailed around the Harbour. When we arrived back at Garden Island, our guests departed and all hands had a chance to catch their breath.By 16:30 we had left Garden Island and anchored in Rose Bay, where the watch leaders conducted the mid-voyage talks. This provided the Youth Crew the opportunity to express how they feel the voyage isprogressing. Despite the hard work and sometimes arduous conditions, all three watch leaders report that the Youth Crew are having a lot of fun and learning all sorts of valuable lessons. Some firm friendships are developing.Tomorrow will be even busier than today has been. YOUNG ENDEAVOUR will be involved in Australia Day festivities from 08:00 until 22:00. This will include the Australia Day Parade, Tallship race, Jazz on the water and parading into Cockle Bay. The Youth Crew will play host to two seperate groups of 70 guests as well as completing their normal duties. Despite the workload, all handsare looking forward to the experience.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: On January 25 1988, YOUNG ENDEAVOUR was formally presented to the Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke, by the Britsih High Commissioner, Sir John Leahy, on behalf of the Government and people of the United Kingdom. This spectacular ceremony at the Man O’ War steps beside the Sydnay Opera House was attended by many dignitaries including their Royal Highnesses the Prine and Princee of Wales, and Australia’s Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen. As a mark of the importance of the occassion, this was the first time since 1927 that all the Premiers, all the Governors, the Prime Minister and the Governor-General were all gathered together at one time.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Reef- To put a reef in a sail is to reduce the area of that sail by tying a section of it together usingreef points. Roller reefing is carried out by rolling part of the sail around its spar. Knot-The unit of speed at sea, where one knotis equal to one nautical mile per hour. So named after the original log line used for measuring a vessel’s speed, where measured lengths were marked off by knots tied in the line.Thought of the Day: The people in one’s life are like the pillars on one’s porch you see life through. Sometimes they hold you up. Sometimes they lean on you, and sometimes it’s just enough to know they’re standing by. Author unknown.Yours, AyeJohn CowanLCDR, RANHowdy, Its Trent. Today amongst the constellations of admirals we chatted away like old pals meeting the power brokers of the western world. Food on YOUNG ENDEAVOUR is great and it will be a great struggle adapting back to my mothers cooking(love you mum). The Ship has provided me with great friends bigger muscles and a tan you justcan’t find in Melbourne. I’ve also sussed out acommodation around Australia for when I start travelling. From Rose Bay of Sydney good night and good sailing.Trent HowardDiamond Creek, VictoriaBut seriously folks, if you really want the hot goss Dunc is your man. I am really suffering from half a kilo of fantastically tasty chocolate birthday cake. Marty really enjoys converting the Melbournites to Sydneysiders and Horatio is trying hard to understand navigation so his Dad will believe him next time he gives directions.No I don’t have an identiity crisis, the XO is just having trouble making the nicknames stick. Can’t wait to see you Hales. Hope you’re not starving without my cooking Mum. Goodnight. Go Warriewood Colts at Manly.Duncan FraserCollaroy, New South Wales