Hervey Bay teen battles the Tasman Sea

ST JAMES student Alistair

Heckels has recently returned from the trip of lifetime aboard the Young Endeavour.

The Scheme began when the training ship STS Young Endeavour was given to the people of Australia by the United Kingdom as a Bicentennial gift in 1988. Since then, the program has provided challenging and inspirational training voyages for more than 14,000 young Australians.

“Having the opportunity to take the voyage on the Young Endeavour was an amazing adventure,” said Alistair Heckel.

“I not only learnt how to sail the ship, how to lead and inspire others, but also how to work together as a team.

“I got to meet some remarkable people and explore spectacular parts of Australia that many others never get to see,” Alistair said.

“I didn’t need to have any sailing experience, we were taught everything that we needed to know.”

“I went in prepared to face my fears and to push myself out of my comfort zone and discover how I could rise up to challenges.”

“The voyage was a lot of fun, but it’s not a relaxing holiday.

“You’re stepping into a new world at sea and we were required to be an active member of the crew and contribute to the voyage.”

“By the end of the voyage, the crew took command of the ship and we put all of our new skills to the test.

“It’s was an adventure like no other.”

“It was also a social media free zone, which is rare these days. I really enjoyed that as well.”

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is a not-for-profit organisation which provides young Australians aged 16-23 with a unique, challenging and inspirational experience at sea aboard the national sail training ship Young Endeavour.

For more than 30 years, the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme has been recognised internationally as a leading youth development program.

Young people reap enormous benefit from the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme’s sail training program, and in turn, the Australian people also benefit as participants recognise their potential to make positive contributions to the community.