COMMAND DAY

Hello everyone,Its Captain James here newly elected as the captain of the youth crew. We’ve had control of the ship for about 5 hours now and are already facing plenty of challenges, though nothing which the capable command team we’ve elected can’t overcome I hope. Before I hand over to some of the crew to give their messages to loved ones, I’ll give a few words of my own. It’s something I’ve mentioned to the crew a few times, but I never expected to be a leader when I stepped onto this ship. It gets said that a leader isn’t born, but that they are made and I believe that I would never have stepped up to be leader if was not for the amazing support of my crewmates, who have put their trust in me, and shown me to put trust in myself. I can only hope to do the best by them, and together we have our work cut out to make it to Mackay on time, already plans have had to be changed, and certainly they will be again, but we are in this together, and most of all I believe everyone is still having fun.And speaking of the crew, here are a collection of their messages.Hello, big shout out to Jen & family from Will, having a great time but looking forward to returning to land. So far the trip has amazing plenty of sailing and swimming in the amazing Whitsunday Islands. See you all soon.Hey Ben, I hope you’re having fun, I miss you so much, more than facebook even (I’m sure you’ll appreciate the sentiment behind that). Anyway, since you promised to read this, here’s a little test – bring fruit tingles when you pick me up from the airport – if you are fruit tingle-less, I’ll know you didn’t read this, and that means trouble ;-). I can’t wait to call you on Sunday. Byeee =]. From pippa.Wat up wombatz itz terry haven the time of my life this is awesome been to a few wicked island rekon the best would be percy island weve taken charge of the ship not going very far lol no wind ill see uz all Sunday mum can u tell tes I miss her please wombat out see ya wen I see ya.Quick hello to Brock and the family, still missing you guys heaps, I really wish I could stay up here and keep sailing; it would be the life if only I could keep in contact with you guys. I’m doing you proud, Red watch representing, I have been selected for watch leader and doing my bit in the team. Can’t wait to tell you all the amazing stories, love you guys. Annika FeatherstoneHi Mum, I love youï¿½ washing my clothes and cooking for me, Love CohenMa, Pa and Nicho, I hope you are all well and still kicking… and getting some of your own boat time in! I’m having a marvellous time and am looking tanned, well feed and happy! Say hi to Noosty for me, Love Meggsy xxxxxxxHey its Richard, just wanted to say so far command day is going fair, everything is still a bit hectic as many are still settling into their new roles, but I am sure that everyone will have settled into their roles. This reminds me everything is coming to end. While this is sad I was still able to see the command crew step up to the plate and while there were a few strikeouts, now its only home runs. Everyone I love you heaps and I look forward to seeing you again.Hi to my folks, it’s Ash! I tell you what- if Milton had visited the Percy Islands, he would have renamed his work ‘Paradise Found’, because thisï¿½ is heaven. Seriously, it’s straight from a postcard. I’ve taken criminal amounts of photos, and none of them can do it justice. It’s decided- I’m getting a yacht. Well, one day anyway, haha. Your eyebrows will skyrocket at the fact that I’m actually used to and enjoying the 6:30am mornings and early nights. By 7:30 this morning we had been roused from our beds by a raucous song over the loudspeaker, been boated over to one of the Percy Islands and swam and played cricket on the white sand as the sun rose over the coconut palms. Like I said- heaven. Anyway, my intention was not to make you jealous (although I’m sure I’ve succeeded in that) but to say I’m having the time of my life and I hope you’re well. Gran and Gramps- thanks so much for taking care of Mum for me- give her a big bear hug from Squirt. Mum, I hope you’re getting better and taking the time to relax. Love you heaps. Ash Jensen.G’day mum, dad and family its Hayden B here to tell you a tad about what ive been occupying myself with. So far I’ve been spokes person for the elections for command day though I didn’t get a position, also part of the beach assault team selected for a mission on percy island. And finally I’m going to be part of the morning brief as nanna ill make sure it gets recorded as im sure that you would feel so proud of your son [crossdressing]. Anyway love you all. Hayden Bï¿½..nanna.Ahoy family and friends! It’s Mel here, hope you’re all having a fabulous time while I holiday here in the Whitsundaysï¿½just joking, we’ve been doing a fair amount of work! Last night I got voted in as the navigator (ah!) which I was ecstatic about. So currently it’s Command Day, and I am attempting to navigate the ship to Mackay. I really do hope every one of you is having fun back home, and I’ll definitely give you a call when I finish the voyage in Mackay..if the ship makes it there that is. Love and hugs ïŠ MelHi mum its Mea 🙂 I am having the best time. We have done so much over this short period of time and I honestly don’t think my brain can handle much more information. I miss you but I’m not in a hurry to come back as we have been to the most amazing beaches, and I have made lots of new friends. I can’t wait to show you all the pictures as I know you will be jealous! Hopefully see you and the family at the footy on Sunday. Mea xxxGreetings from the Sail-Mistress (or Sea Dragonï¿½)!! Command day is well underway and the team is working fantastically so far! We’re struggling with some lighter winds than planned, and un-cooperative tides, but hoping that things pick up overnight. The Captain needs his sleep, so that’s all from the Youth Crew! LivSo that’s it from everyone, I think I’d like to end this entry like our good Captain Gunna did, with a quote. “It’s not the destination that matters; it’s what you learn getting there”. Though thinking back, that might have been a lesson that my year 12 teachers drummed into me back when I was doing the HSC.CheersCaptain JamesÂ

Latitude/Longitude:

21Â°26's / 150Â°5'e

Conditions:

Co 335, 4 kts, Wind 120, 12 kts, Temp 25 C

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

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V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 11 – Last Day of the Voyage

Good morning Shipmates, Sailmaster Sara's final Wakey Wakey song was pumped through the Ship’s speakers to jar the crew of YE from their deep slumber after a particularly tiring day of the Community Day Sail. Activities included end-of-voyage chats for the watches, harbour furling the square sails, eating as much home made pizza, cooked by master chef Ash, as we possibly could and knocking over final command day tasks including the Slide Show. It was up on deck for a quick head count to make sure everyone was out of their ‘racks’ and ready for their final day onboard. Breakfast was followed by the morning brief on the plan for the day and then the Staff Crew weighed anchor and got us underway while the Youth Crew laid aloft for a quick harbour cruise. Navigator Seb piloted the Ship from our Athol Bay anchorage, past Fort Dennison under the Harbour Bridge, where we fired the Ship’s saluting cannon, and then into Balls Head Bay to our berth. We berthed at HMAS Waterhen at 1000 to the warm welcome of friends and family of the Youthies, waiting on the wharf for us. Once we had secured the ship alongside we invited our guests onboard, allowed them a walk around the ship to see where the Youthies had lived and worked for the last eleven days, and then we gathered everyone at midships. Sail Master Sara spoke about our adventures during the voyage and then I presented the Voyage Completion certificates to the youth crew and the Young Endeavour Award to Liv for her outstanding hard work on in undertaking the voyage and her dedication to helping her fellow youth crew members to achieve their voyage goals. We then farewelled the Youth Crew of V04/24 after a fantastic challenging and enjoyable voyage. Thank you for following our adventures and hope you enjoyed hearing about them. Yours, aye, Captain Mike

V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 10 – Community Day Sail Sydney Harbour

Good evening shipmates, After a well-earned quality night’s sleep at anchor in Hunters Bay, Sail Master Sara woke us with another of her soothing tunes to get us on deck for a quick early morning activity. After breakfast the staff crew weighed anchor and conducted the transit to HMAS Waterhen, at Waverton. We berthed there at 0900 and prepared to embark our guests for the Community Day Sail. At 1015 we cast off our berthing lines and departed with our 34 guests and commenced our 3 hour tour of the harbour. Our Community Day Sailors were a group 30 members and staff from the Windgap Foundation. We also embarked some defence personnel as well. We again passed under the Harbour Bridge and then proceeded into Rose Bay where we set some sails and commenced sailing back towards Waterhen. Whilst on the harbour our fantastic youth crew helped us host our Windgap special guests. They encouraged our guests to participate in setting the staysails and a square sail by helping to pull on the sheets and clewlines. The youth crew also helped Chef Ash to prepare and deliver the food to our guests on deck. At 1300, after 3 fun-packed hours on the harbour, we berthed back at the southern wharf at HMAS Waterhen. Once we had farewelled our guests it was time to commence our end-of-voyage activities and preparations. The staff crew managed to organise a visit to the RAN Ship MATV Sycamore, which is crewed by a mixture of civilians and Navy staff, is a multi-role aviation training vessel. The youth crew embarked with their watch leaders and were given a 45 minute tour of the ship by some of the Navy crew. On completion they returned onboard and Young Endeavour sailed and proceeded to our anchorage in Athol Bay, which affords a great view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. During the transit to the anchorage the Youthies undertook their end-of-voyage chats, facilitated by their watch leaders, to examine if they had achieved everything in their full-value contracts they had completed at the start of the voyage. After the traditional last voyage dinner of home made pizzas, Sara gave the Youthies the Harbour Furl brief, who then donned their climbing harnesses and laid aloft to undertake the ‘Harbour Furl’ of the square sails to make them look immaculate for our ceremonial arrival at the end of the voyage tomorrow. Once that was completed, the youth crew then finished off their final outstanding Command Day tasks, which were planned for the last night onboard. These included the Voyage Slide Show compiled of photos taken by everyone. This was excellent and provided a touching reminder of what we had experienced and the beautiful coastlines and islands that we had visited during the voyage. The final activity of the day was the end-of-voyage administration, which for the youth crew included a feedback questionnaire asking for feedback on their experience of the voyage, as well as a letter for each crew member to write to themselves on their experiences during the voyage, which the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme will post to the youth crew in 6 months time. The aim of this is to help reinforce what the youth crew have learned about leadership, teamwork and about themselves from the experience of the voyage. Once these were completed the crew were encouraged to go to bed. The Ship will remain in Athol Bay overnight and weigh anchor and sail in the morning at 0900 and undertake the transit to HMAS Waterhen, where family and friends will meet the Ship on arrival at 1000. Until you hear from me tomorrow for the final instalment of Voyage 04/24. Yours aye, Captain Mike

V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 9 – Command Day Part 2

Ahoy from Sydney! For today’s Captain’s Log: the Youthies took over and completed several tasks including singing the national anthem in three different tunes as well as giving salty sea facts to start the day in a nautical way. We finally made it! After a long and weary effort of the command team and watches, we were able to fully sail into Sydney Harbour. At approximately 11:50 we anchored in Hunters Bay. To celebrate we had a groovtastic disco in the 12 berth due to excessive rainfall but the youthies made it work, having a blast dancing to Billie Jean. Afterwards, the youthies as well as the staff reflected on our efforts during command day, following the handover of the ship to the Staffies, where we highlighted what we did well, what we could improve on and what lessons we can take back to our normal lives, of which there are many. Continuing on from the previous log, with command day still ongoing. We encountered multiple problems. One of which being that mother nature didn’t bless us and gave us little to no wind to work with. However with the efforts of the Youthies we were able to successfully gather up to 8 knots of speed after a 4am tack in which the youthies persevered despite a lack of sleep enabling us to make our way into Sydney. Before our reflection the Youthies finished their day strong with a ‘Happy Hour’ cleaning session and one final dance. The afternoon was spent relaxing and recharging from ‘Command Day’, going aloft and furling the square sails. For dinner, Ash prepared a barbecue with steak, sausages, chicken kebabs with buns and an assortment of salads with a delicious chocolate cake for dessert. The Youthies are looking forward to the Community Day Sail tomorrow which will be a great opportunity to give back to Australia and put our sailing knowledge to the test. We have learned many lessons during ‘Command Day’, we pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone and together a crew of 24 youth were able to sail a tall ship into the harbour of Sydney. Today’s score: 9 camels and a donkey (Amazing) Until next time Rock on! Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt. P.S. Happy Birthday for tomorrow little bro, love Lil xx P.S.S. Kai, sorry I didn’t do the thing for Meg. I just remembered and will do it when back.

Thank you Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt for your narrative of today's events. Intentions are to remain at anchor in Hunters Bay, just off HMAS Penguin, home of the RAN Diving School, a place close to my heart, having spent many a day there under training as a young Officer! The plan is to weigh anchor and proceed to HMAS Waterhen, in Waverton, to pick up our Community Day Sailors from the Windgap Foundation and take them for a sail around the harbour for 3 hours. The Youth Crew will help us host our visitors and give them an experience of Young Endeavour. We will drop them back to Waverton and then proceed to anchor in the harbour where we will have a good view of the Bridge and the Opera House for the Youth Crew's last night onboard. Until tomorrow. Yours Aye, Captain Mike

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