STS Young Endeavour hosts Army Cadets and special needs group for community day after Top End arrival

The Young Endeavour is halfway through its final circumnavigation of Australia, and will be spending the next two weeks in the Top End at HMAS Coonawarra.

Young Endeavour Captain, Lt. Commander Andrew Leupen, welcomes visitors. Picture: Aden Hill

Two Top End community groups got the rare opportunity to tour a working Tall Ship as the STS Young Endeavour made port at Darwin’s HMAS Coonawarra naval base.

The Young Endeavour’s Captain Lt. Commander Andrew Leupen, the ship’s nine navy crew and 15 youth crew brought the ship into Darwin Harbour early on Friday after completing an 11-day voyage from Thursday Island.

The Young Endeavour crew were joined aboard the vessel by Darwin-based Australian Army Cadets and members of the Down Syndrome Association of the NT, who engaged in a number of tasks and activities guided by the youth crew.

Young Endeavour XO Lt. James Tomlinson briefs visitors to the ship. Picture: Aden Hill

After a tour of the ship, the visitors furled and unfurled the sails to the traditional navy call of “two, six, heave”, participated in song and games, and enjoyed lunch with the crew.

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme provides young Australians aged 16-23 the chance to build leadership, confidence and self-awareness through an 11-day at-sea voyage with a professional Royal Australian Navy crew.

With a call of "two, six, heave!" Young Endeavour youth crew and Army Cadets work together furl a sail. Picture: Aden Hill

Unlike other Tall Ships in the country, the Young Endeavour is operated directly by the Navy, who have invested tens of millions into the ship over her 37-year career.

The outgoing youth crew, who joined the ship on Thursday Island, said they had enjoyed the experience and would be keeping in contact with their shipmates.

Many, including LCDR Leupen, remembered their stop at South Goulburn Island in Arnhem Land as a highlight of the voyage to Darwin.

“We had the Mardbalk Rangers come on board, we had the council representatives come on board, and more importantly, we had about 40 of the schoolchildren from the Warruwi school,” LCDR Leupen said.

“We had a barbecue and it was just fantastic.”

Youth crew direct tasks aboard Young Endeavour. Picture: Aden Hill

Spots are still open for the two voyages due to depart from Darwin, the first leaving on June 11.

While most voyages are between two different locales, the first Darwin voyage will return back to the Top End on June 21, before the second voyage, heading for Broome, departs on June 27.

“If you’re 16 to 23, young Australian, you’re even slightly thinking about coming on board with us then jump on the website, make an application,” LCDR Leupen said.

“We’ve still got berths available all the way around the country, and don’t worry, you don’t need sailing experience.”

“Myself and the navy crew, we’re going to look after you, and I can hand on heart tell you, you’re going to have an absolute adventure of a lifetime.”

Originally published as STS Young Endeavour hosts Army Cadets and special needs group for community day after Top End arrival