Sixteen-year-old Lachlan Curr will swap his farm clothes for a sailing uniform when he embarks tall ship STS Young Endeavour for the voyage of a lifetime on September 3.
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The Year 10 student, who is Vice Captain of Tullamore Central School, was selected as one of 24 youth crew for the next young Endeavour Youth Scheme voyage.
Lachlan’s voyage commences at Brisbane where he sets sail for 11 days, travelling north to Mackay, where his family will meet him after his sailing journey.
Having been interested in the Young Endeavour’s voyage program for years, Lachlan was stoked when he found out he had been balloted.
“I couldn’t believe it when Dad called me to say I’d been offered a spot on the Young Endeavour, considering how many people apply,” he said.
“I was so happy about it, I couldn’t stop smiling. I had to read the email for myself as soon as I got home!”
During the voyage, Lachlan and his fellow youth crew will learn how to sail the brigantine; including how to navigate, keep watch, cook in the galley, take the helm and climb the 30 metre mast to work aloft, setting and furling sails.
Near the end of each voyage, the youth crew will elect a command team who take full responsibility for Young Endeavour for 24 hours.
With a glint in his eye and a grin, Lachlan said apart from sailing, he is looking forward to the new experience.
“I expect the water will be a bit rougher than a choppy day at the Lake at Condo, so as far as the chance of getting sea sick goes, I’ll just have to deal with it if it happens!”
“I’m really looking forward to experiencing something totally different, getting out of my comfort zone, meeting people, and learning some new skills,” Lachlan said.
Parents Paul and Kelly Curr of Tullamore are keen to support their son in this endeavour, with Kelly saying it will be a fantastic opportunity.
“It will be a whole new adventure for Lachie. He’ll meet people and make some great memories that will no doubt stay with him for a lifetime,” Kelly said.
Young Endeavour is Australia’s national sail training ship and was presented to the Australia by the United Kingdom for Australia’s bicentennial in 1988.
During her almost thirty years in service, almost 13,000 young Australians have joined the ship and participated in the youth development program delivered at sea by the Royal Australian Navy.
Young people aged 16 – 23 years old can apply for a chance to set sail on the voyage of a lifetime at www.youngendeavour.gov.au
