The visit by the Young Endeavour to Batemans Bay and its journey up the South Coast in October last year created a considerable amount of interest in our youth who learnt that they could apply to sail legs of the continued passage the Young Endeavor makes as it provides skills and experiences to young Australians. In recent years there have been several Eurobodalla teens who have successfully applied to sail as crew aboard the Young Endeavour returning enriched by the experience.
Voyage berths are allocated by ballot, and through a Scholarship Program. Interested? You can apply on-line at this link: www.youngendeavour.gov.au
18/Oct/2017 15:00:22 AEDT 035° 42.988S, 150° 14.650E / Course: 279° @ 1.0 knots
Moored off Batemans Bay.
Those on the coast today might have a brief glimpse at a sight that could well have be seen by the Yuin people of the Walbunja clan, the traditional custodians of the land surrounding Batemans Bay on April 22nd, 1770 Cook gave no reason for naming the bay Batemans Bay however some believe it was to commemorate either Nathaniel Bateman, the captain of HMS Northumberland when Cook was serving as her master from 1760–62, or John Bateman, 2nd Viscount Bateman, a former Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty in the 1750s Either way he didn't stop, thought it was unimpressive and headed north. Gracing our waters today was the Young Endeavour, a gift from the United Kingdom to the Government and people of Australia to mark the Bicentenary in 1988 Construction began on the ship in May 1986 in Lowestoft, England and on 3 August 1987 she began the long voyage to Australia with a crew which included 24 young people from Britain and Australia. The official handover ceremony took place on 25 January 1988 in the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales in Farm Cove, Sydney Harbour. In his acceptance speech, the ship was pledged by the then Prime Minister, Mr Bob Hawke, to serve Australian youth. For a land girt by sea, the ship was a reminder of the maritime heritage shared by the two countries. Her arrival heralded the start of a new era of sail training in Australia. The Government decided that the Royal Australian Navy would operate and maintain the ship, and that the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme would be set up to manage the associated sail training program.
During each voyage, youth live and work with a diverse range of people from across Australia. They are encouraged to pursue personal and team goals and challenges in an unfamiliar environment as they learn to sail a square-rigged tall ship.
Climbing Young Endeavour’s 30 metre mast is one of the biggest challenges and biggest joys for the youth crew.
Voyage berths are allocated by ballot, and through a Scholarship Program.
