From island home to a career at sea

I grew up in close-knit, idyllic Norfolk Island, where everyone knew each other. Surrounded by sea, it wasn’t hard to imagine a career in the Royal Australian Navy, and in my final year at school I was starting my application when the local newspaper published a notice asking for applications for a voyage on Young Endeavour. The timing was perfect!

My application was successful and I boarded the ship not long after. At the beginning of my voyage I struggled being in such a foreign environment with a group of strangers. I had never been around so many new people before, so this experience was already new and somewhat daunting.

The Young Endeavour crew planned many fun activities and made the environment relaxed, which helped our group of young adults become comfortable. Teamwork developed naturally and progressed easily to leadership.

This experience gave me the basic tools to build on going forward in my personal and professional life: I discovered that just being yourself, making the most of opportunities that present themselves and keeping an open mind can form a solid foundation for whatever comes next.

I loved Command Day as it showed how much everyone had grown. We all came together and did something that seemed impossible when we first joined. I was voted by my peers to be a watch leader, which I was thrilled to accept.

Holding watches in the middle of the night was a big lifestyle change – but once I got over the tiredness, I enjoyed the company of the others and the unique experience of being at sea at night.

The highlight of the voyage for me was climbing the mast and looking out over the ocean, watching whales and dolphins. When I first signed up, I didn’t know what to expect, but I discovered that I loved being at sea.

I was so excited to share my experience when I arrived home that I could not stop talking about it!

I credit Young Endeavour for giving me the confidence to meet people and develop friendships at the Australian Defence Force Academy when I did join the Navy. I learned how to talk to people with confidence and find common experiences to create bonds.

I have met quite a few Navy members who first sailed on Young Endeavour before signing up for a naval career.

I enjoy being posted to a Royal Australian Navy ship now, and I still appreciate that working within a team means you become quite close with everyone and develop good relationships.

Sailing on Young Endeavour helped solidify my decision to join the Navy, and it is an experience I treasure.

ZANAIDA ADAMS, V06/16