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19 March 2021
STS Young Endeavour Returns to Sea
2021 Voyage Program Starts in Sydney!
“Their Excellencies General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Patron of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, and Mrs Linda Hurley joined the crew to celebrate the achievement.
“This program is about self-discovery and leadership,” said His Excellency the Governor-General.
“I’m sure there were moments during the voyage when you thought, “I can’t do that”. But of course you did do whatever it was, and I encourage you to reflect on that achievement in the future. Self-confidence, strength of spirit and perseverance are wonderful character traits and, among others, help make good leaders.”
“Now, perhaps more than any time in recent memory, our community needs programs like Young Endeavour. Our young people should be confident that they have the ability – and thanks to programs like this – the capability, to shape our nation for years to come”.
Young Endeavour commenced the 2021 voyage program on 13 February 2021 and will operate from HMAS Waterhen over the coming months. A range of COVID-safe measures have been introduced to the modified program to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
While an initial program of voyages will be delivered in New South Wales, the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is also developing a program for the latter part of 2021, which is expected to include opportunities for youth from other states to participate in a voyage.
Applications are now open to young Australians aged 16-23. Apply now!”
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26 May 2023
Join the Young Endeavour Team
Assistant Director Young Endeavour Youth Scheme The RoleAs we celebrate 35 successful years, the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is preparing for the introduction into service of a new, larger, state-of-the-art sail training ship - meaning more young Australians will be able to access our world class youth development program.This new role establishes a dedicated resource to oversee our commercial and customer service team, and to focus on business improvements as we prepare for program expansion. Our Ideal CandidateWe are looking for a proactive team player who brings highly relevant skills in business administration, business intelligence and/or change management, has experience effectively managing small teams and/or delivering public programs, and can work autonomously and collaboratively to achieve results. Our ideal candidate will:Demonstrate personal accountability, and a proven ability to manage competing priorities and achieve outcomes.Enjoy managing teams, including flexible/remote work, and be willing to collaborate and pitch in to support colleagues in a small team environment.Have a good level of computer literacy including with client relationship management and commercial systems.Possess very strong written and interpersonal communication skills, and be capable of working with a wide variety of customers and stakeholders.Have experience successfully developing and implementing business improvement plans, and managing teams through change. To read the full job description and apply, visit the APS Jobs website.
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Ambassador Story
26 March 2023
The Journey of a Lifetime
My voyage was from Brisbane to Sydney, I was recommended Young Endeavour by a friend and, to be honest, I had no clue what to expect, I had never been on a tall ship. I arrived in Brisbane and caught an Uber to the navy base, after a bit of searching around I managed to find it, it was not what I was expecting but I was incredibly excited to get on board.
I got to meet the people who I would be sailing with and they all seemed really friendly! I got along with a couple of them pretty much immediately. We boarded Young endeavour and started slowly venturing out into the cove we did some Ice Breaker activities that allowed us to get to know our fellow crewmates a bit better before we started learning the ropes. Over the next few days, we learnt all the basics as we made our way down to Sydney. With a lot of help from the staff, we started to feel a lot more comfortable on the ship, and it's a good thing the staff were there too because the first three days in open waters were fairly stormy.
The boys' dormitory was located at the very front of the ship below deck, by the end of the storm we all got very used to the feeling of falling as the ship bounced over the swell! it was a trial by fire but by the end, we all had our sea legs, so much so that when we were next ashore in Nelson Bay we weren't used to the dry land and couldn't walk in a straight line! That day in Nelson Bay was a good one, we got to visit the local stores for some confectionary supplies and we were able to do a hike to the top of Mt Tomaree which had amazing views in every direction you looked.
We returned to the ship and continued our journey, over the next few days we made our way down to Jervis Bay, along the way learning the rest of the skills needed to run the ship on our own without help from the staff. We anchored in Jervis bay for a day and a night, spending the day doing team-building exercises at the local navy base and the night enjoying an amazing BBQ with a selection of Kangaroo, Emu, and crocodile meat that all tasted amazing.
The next day we were officially given command of the ship and I was voted in charge of the schedule and daily operations of the ship until we arrived in Sydney. It was lovely sailing back to Sydney as we had a following swell and a following wind, which made for very smooth sailing and allowed us to open up almost all the sails, it made for quite the view at 01:00 am when we finally managed to get the Course sail up under the moonlight. I really enjoyed that watch, even though it was the graveyard watch.
We arrived in Sydney in record time and without having to wake up the crew in the middle of the night to conduct a tack, which they were all grateful for! We had a final night anchored at balmoral in Sydney harbour and spent the final day conducting a community day sail around Sydney harbour before finishing in Wooloomooloo.
My voyage was an unforgettable one, you may think I am being cleché saying that, but I am writing this recount of my experience in 2023, 4 years after my voyage and I still vividly recall everything about it. Since then I have told all my friends and family about it, encouraging them to have the same unforgettable experience I did.
Marcus Karozis
Voyage V12/19
Ambassador Story
24 March 2023
The Voyage Of A Lifetime
The moment I stepped aboard STS Young Endeavour, I was surrounded by unfamiliar faces, a new and different environment and an uncertainty about the next 10 days ahead. As soon as the lines cast off, and the ship began moving away from the pier and Sydney was growing smaller behind us, the first activities of my voyage began, and the most memorable of which is meeting my fellow Youthies.
A contagious, positive energy was flowing and just as if we all had been friends before, laughter and bustling conversation soon came about, as did the seasickness and our sea legs, or lack thereof. As the sun set on our first day, and as we sailed past Port Kembla, we were broken up into our watches, for me this was Red Watch, and were called to dinner. To me, it became apparent that life at seas was going to be different, and this was evident by my extreme lack of balance. Soon afterwards, it was time for bed, and after stowing my kit in the small locker provided, I manoeuvred myself into my rack, driving off to sleep with the rocking of the sea.
By the next morning, Wakey Wakey was piped and we assembled at Midships, shivering, but alert. After a quick game, and breakfast, we adorned our harnesses and began to climb aloft. Being the first Youthie to put their hand up, nervously and reluctantly, I placed my hand onto the rat lines and began to climb. With the guidance of the incredible Staffies, before I even knew it, I was standing at the top of the Foremast, peering over Jarvis Bay. The memory of an eagle gliding overhead is forever etched into my memory. After lunch, as part of team bonding, we were permitted to go for a swim. For me, this was jumping off the Bowsprit. Seeing the ship from this perspective was nothing short of amazing, and brought all of the Youthies together.
Throughout the next 3 days, comprehensive lessons took place, teaching us about ship handling, setting and furling sails, navigation, teamwork, safety and communication. This was fitting as by this stage, we had adjusted to life at sea and for myself, I had overcome my seasickness and balance issues. In the early morning of Day 5, a leadership exercise was conducted where the Storm Jib needed to be set, and no guidance was provided by Staffies. We accomplished this, but it proved many shortcomings. We were getting used to taking Watch, which for me, was at all times throughout the day.
On Day 4, I was tasked with Morning Watch, from 00:00 - 04:00. Staying awake would’ve been impossible, had I not had my fellow Youthies to keep me entertained, and vice-versa. The camaraderie and companionship was outstanding. The next morning, I was placed on Cook Duty, were I had to serve breakfast and wash the dishes. Working in such a confined space was challenging, but determination and adaptability prevailed! In other words, I had found my sea legs. This was evermore surprising as travelling though the Bass Strait is known to be unforgiving. As the weather got rough, we were informed that a decision was made to seek refuge in Sealers Cove, at the southern tip of Victoria.
After a challenging 3 nights at anchor, a weather window had opened, and we set sail for Port Phillip Bay. We were quite rusty, to say the least, but with teamwork, we were a formidable force. By Day 7, elections were underway and by that evening, we had our team for Command Day. Although it was daunting, and proved to be challenging, we were on course on track for Melbourne. Towards the end of the voyage, we had discussions and made plans for speeches, videos, slideshows and ideas for our final night.
As we sailed into Geelong, coming to anchor, we had Pizza for dinner, which was just as delicious as every meal for the previous 10 days, and later into the night, a disco was held. Afterwards, when everything began to quiet down, I had a ponder, alone, watching the sunset sitting on a bollard on the bow. I thought “I truly never could’ve imagined such a life changing voyage”. I felt complete.
Benjamin Bilek
Voyage V13/22
