The experience of a lifetime. That is how Hallam Ingram and Anders Glew described their journey aboard the Young Endeavour.
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The 16 year old friends from St Philip’s Christian College were fortunate to be picked for the same 10-day voyage in September.
“It’s pretty difficult to be selected for the Young Endeavour,” Mr Glew said. “You go into a ballot. I was picked first then Hal was picked one or two days later. It was good to experience it together.”
The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme provides Australians aged 16 to 23 with a unique, challenging and inspirational experience at sea.
The aim of the scheme is to increase self awareness, develop teamwork and leadership skills and create a strong sense of community responsibility.
For 10 days Mr Glew, Ingram and 15 other youths took on the responsibility of crewing the Young Endeavour tall ship, sailing from Airlie Beach to Gladstone and stopping at Brampton Island and Great Keppel Island.
While assisted by support crew, the responsibility of successfully sailing the ship falls on the youths.
“The first couple of days they [support crew] flooded us with information about the boat and safety, and we were divided up into three watches,” Mr Ingram said.
“It was a lot of responsibility but it was such a great experience. For me personally, there was so many highlights. Stopping at the islands, getting to know the people on my watch, doing back flips off the ship. It was incredible.”
Mr Glew said one of his highlights was climbing the 24 metre high mast to watch the sunrise and sunset.
“It wasn’t just the sailing that made it special but the youth development side of it, too,” he said. “The things I learned about myself, about team work and leadership, I’ll take those into all areas of my life. All the morals, lessons, and friends I made on the trip, they will stay with me.”
At the end of the trip Mr Glew received a Young Endeavour Order of Australia. The award is presented to a young crew member in recognition of their commitment to the pursuit of excellence during their voyage.
“It was a real privilege to receive,” Mr Glew said.