Seventeen-year-old Bree Munro, of Berry, knew lady luck was shining on her when she applied and was selected for a voyage on the tall ship, STS Young Endeavour.
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The St John’s year 11 student, said she had her fingers crossed when she applied, but wasn’t sure she’d get in.
“My school always advertises the program. I applied, not thinking I’d get in, but I got selected my first go,” she said.
“My principal was so happy, she gave me a hug as no one has gotten into Young Endeavour from St John’s for 15 years.”
Joining the ship in Sydney with 21 other young Australians, Bree recently sailed on an 11-day voyage, which saw her explore the NSW coastline.
“I’d never sailed before Young Endeavour, so I didn’t really know what to expect,” she said.
“It was really good and pretty challenging at times.”
It was really good and pretty challenging at times.
- Bree Munro
During each voyage the ship embarks up to 24 young Australians who learn the skills to sail a square-rigged tall ship; 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.
“I climbed the yards which was pretty hard at first, but I forced myself and made it all the way to the top and tied on the gaskets,” she said.
Near the end of the voyage, each youth crew elect a command team who take full responsibility for Young Endeavour for 24 hours, sailing the ship along the Australian coast.
I’ve learnt that I can push myself through hard things, and that they do come to an end and it’s totally worth it.
- Bree Munro
“It was fantastic being at sea, we’ve seen heaps of whales,” she said.
“The best thing about the experience though was meeting everyone.
“When you get onboard you know absolutely no one.
“During the trip you go through a lot together and support each other, which breaks down the barriers and you become friends really quickly.
“I’m taking away so much from the experience.
“I’ve learnt that I can push myself through hard things, and that they do come to an end and it’s totally worth it.”
STS 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 29 years of 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.
Youths aged 16–23-years-old can apply for a chance to set sail on the voyage of a lifetime at www.youngendeavour.gov.au
STS Young Endeavour
STS Young Endeavour is an Australian tall ship. Built by Brooke Marine, Young Endeavour was given to Australia by the British government in 1988, as a gift to celebrate Australia's bicentenary of colonisation.
- Length: 44 metres
- Construction started: May 1986
- Launched: August 3, 1987
- Weight: 239 tons
- Sail plan: 10 sails, brigantine rig
- Speed: 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph) under sail; 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) on diesels
- Builder: Brooke Marine
Young Endeavour’s sail plan
- 1 Jib
- 2 Forestaysail
- 3 Course
- 4 Topsail
- 5 Topgallant
- 6 Main Staysail
- 7 Topgallant Staysail
- 8 Fisherman Staysail
- 9 Main Sail
- 10 Main Gaff Topsail
Are you 16-23 years old?
The scheme, in partnership with the Australian Government and the Royal Australian Navy, has provided challenging training voyages for over 13,000 young Australians aboard
Young Endeavour Young Endeavour undertakes around 20 voyages each year, mostly along the east and south coasts of Australia.
Each voyage embarks 24 young Australians - the youth crew - and nine specially trained Royal Australian Navy crew, usually for an 11-day adventure at sea.
