Publication:Navy Annual 2005/Positive Horizons - YOUNG ENDEAVOUR
BY LEUTENANT GEORGINA WADSLEY, RAN
Youth Crew applications can be lodged online at www.youngendeavour.gov.au
Navy personnel interested in a posting can contact: Young Endeavour Youth Scheme (YEYS) Office, Garden island, To organise a suitability Cruise Phone: 1800 020 444.
I cannot believe that I get paid for this! Being a Navy crew member on STS Young Endeavour has to be one of the most emotionally rewarding jobs that can be found anywhere. For sure the hours are long and the job is physically demanding, however every eleven-day voyage has an incredibly energetic atmosphere with a fast-paced program and always finishes on a tremendous high. This is a job where you can see positive, life-changing results which, in turn, provides huge job satisfaction and a sense of optimism for Australia's future.
The aim of the Young Endeavour Youth scheme (YEYS) is to provide young Australians aged 16 - 23 years with a unique, challenging and inspirational experience at sea that increases their self-awareness, develops their teamwork and leadership skills, and creates a strong sense of community responsibility. The Navy crew members ("staffies") are the conduit for the success of this goal and it takes a combination of skills to achieve it. In order to be posted to Young Endeavour, Royal Australian Navy personnel undergo a selection process via a suitability Cruise. This involves participating as a Youth Crew member for an eleven-day voyage so as to fully appreciate the Young Endeavour experience. My suitability Cruise went from Sydney to Hobart and I was a little nervous for a few reasons: heights are not my forte, my sea legs take a while to kick in and my sailing knowledge of tall ships? - Non-existent other than what I had gleaned from Master and Commander.
Day 1
I found myself 30m above the deck balancing on a foot rope whilst tying gaskets around a neatly furled square sail. Out of my comfort zone? Intensely. On top of the world? Wow! What an adrenalin rush! And like the other Youth Crew i really appreciated the coaxing and the support of the Crew who had got me through my apprehension.
Day 2
Outside Sydney Heads and, as suspected, my sea legs were missing in action. However no rest for the wicked and definitely not for Blue Watch, the group of eight Youth Crew of which I was a member. I joined most of my watch "yodelling" over the ship's side and then joined them setting and furling sails and making the ship go where we wanted her to go. Nothing helps generate team unity more than sharing both the highs and lows of life, and it was a chance for individuals to shine by keeping the whole team motivated and nourished. Sailing a tall ship requires everyone to participate and there is no option but for everyone to put in one hundred percent. Even though we had only known each other for a day, Blue Watch had a great support network already in place to ensure everyone was able to participate to the best of their ability. Once again we had to thank the guidance and unflagging encouragement of our Crew Watch leader for our drive and motivation.
Day 7
I have seen how to rig storm sails and my respect for the sea worthiness of a 44 metres brigantine has greatly increased. The wind is gusting over fifty knots, the seas have risen to seven metres and the joys of an open bridge are rapidly becoming apparent. However my sea legs are firmly in place and Blue Watch are bravely standing their turn as Watch on Deck. Snuggled up in our beanies and the bright yellow Gortex Foul Weather jackets, everyone has a smile on their face. The elements have not defeated us and we have the south coast of Tasmania in our sights.
Day 8
The ship has been handed over to the Youth Crew for the next twenty-four hours. The Captain has deemed them competent to sail the ship and has set them a challenge to sail the ship to a point just off Hobart by a set time on the morrow. The Youth Crew elect their own hierarchy, cook all meals, plan and perform all navigation and create their own watch system. The Crew keeps a keen eye on safety but do not influence any of the decisions or actions taken by the Youth Crew.
Day 11
We survived Command Day with no mishaps and our sense of humour intact. Everyone has a much greater appreciation for how well the Crew run the ship from Watch leaders to Navigation, to the Command team and most importantly the Chef! Everyone is on a high. Although we have only been on board eleven days we now know everyone so well, even as one Youth Crew comments, "Better and more honestly than i know my friends at school". We have been challenged physically, emotionally and come through with flying colours. The motto onboard Young Endeavour is to treat everyone with unconditional positive regard and everyone has experienced how, with some effort, this can be achieved and the rewards in depth of experience and comradeship are truly amazing. There are quite a few tears as everyone packs their bags and waves and hugs goodbye.
Young Endeavour is a refreshing and inspiring experience. it is ideally suited to an adventurous spirit with the ability to listen, a good sense of humour and the skill to motivate and encourage the best in people whilst maintaining the motto of unconditional positive regard.
Voyages are conducted in Australian coastal waters, ranging from cruising the Whitsundays to braving the Bass Strait with occasional international trips including voyages to New Zealand in 2006. There is a program of 20 voyages per year of mainly 11-day voyages and a couple of 5-day voyages.
