ON Sunday October 12, eight Community Resource Centre trainees from the areas of Nannup, Mukinbudin, Dowerin, Augusta, Boddington, Toodyay and Wagin had the opportunity through funding from the Department of Regional Development and Lands for leadership development.
13 WA school aged students also participated, boarding the Leeuwin II for the Ultimate seven day Challenge Voyage.
This majestic tall ship, launched in 1986, is Australia’s largest sail training tall ship designed with an 1850’s style rig.
Named in honour of a ship that sailed from Holland in the 16oo’s called ’Leeuwin,’ (meaning Lioness), the Leeuwin II is a sight to behold and a thrill to sail with her square rigged foremast and fore-and-aft rigged main and mizzen masts.
The Dutch tall ship that once sailed along the WA coast in March 1622 was one of the first to discover a section of coastline between present day Hamelin Bay and Point D’Entrecasteaux.
The South West corner of Australia was subsequently referred to by the Dutch as “The Land of the Leeuwin” and the name has survived to this day, known now as Cape Leeuwin.
Boarding at 9am from Bunbury Port, the trainees spent the first four hours training on deck before setting sail and heading north towards Rottnest.
For the following seven days, under the competent guidance of Captain Colin Jones, Captain’s Mate Ally McCutcheon and watch leaders Andrew Findlay, Peter Graham and Woodrun Bourne, the three groups of trainees were taught in the areas of sailing, navigation, personal safety, leadership and teamwork. Galley duties and ship cleaning were also on the agenda along with rostered night watches, which consisted of checking navigational readings, positioning of the ship and safety checks.
The trainees were given the opportunity to sail the ship unassisted by the crew on Friday October 17, which they succeeded to do, and were duly complimented by the Captain and his crew.
Throughout this magnificent week of sailing, the ship was constantly being flanked by frolicking whales migrating south to their breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle.
Sailing into the Port of Fremantle on Saturday October 18, the group greeted families and friends on the dock by smiling and waving 30 metres up from the yards.
Many new friendships were formed over this week and amazing experiences encountered, creating treasured memories for life. For more information on a myriad of incredible voyages for all ages and abilities visit www.sailleeuwin.com.
