For many Young Endeavour Youth Scheme alumni, the memories of climbing aloft, standing watch and working together at sea stay with them for life.
For former youth crew member Catriona Glassock, those memories have come full circle, with the opportunity to help build STS Young Endeavour II – the ship that will inspire the next generation of young Australians.
Ms Glassock sailed on board Young Endeavour I in 2018 on Voyage 16 from Airlie Beach to Gladstone.
Today, she is a yacht rigger with Sydney Rigging Specialists and is part of the team responsible for installing the masts, yards and standing rigging on board the new vessel, which is being built by Birdon in Port Macquarie.
Ms Glassock never imagined her career would one day bring her back to the program that helped shape her own confidence.
“I never thought I would end up involved in the making of a new Young Endeavour ship, but it has been such a fun and rewarding experience,” she said.
“I’ve had the opportunity to sail on and work on a lot of cool boats, but this has definitely been one of the highlights.”
‘Embrace every opportunity and experience that is given to you on the ship.’
Her role has taken months of planning and preparation, from manufacturing rigging and splicing rope in Sydney to relocating to Port Macquarie to test and install the complex rigging systems.
One of the biggest milestones came when the team successfully stepped all three masts in a single day.
While the work is highly technical, Ms Glassock said her own voyage remained front of mind.
She recalls everything from night watches and climbing the yards to exploring the remote Percy Island, where seeing decades of flags and pennants left behind by visiting vessels, including previous Young Endeavour voyages, left a lasting impression.
“Knowing I’m helping to build something that will create similar memories and experiences for others makes the project even more special,” she said.
Ms Glassock said her own voyage gave her confidence that has stayed with her throughout her career.
“Being voted captain for command day by my fellow youthies made me realise I was capable of more than I thought,” she said.
‘I never thought I would end up involved in the making of a new Young Endeavour ship, but it has been such a fun and rewarding experience.’
As construction of Young Endeavour II progresses, Ms Glassock is particularly excited that the larger vessel will allow even more young Australians to experience the program.
“Young Endeavour gives young people the opportunity to get off the grid, push themselves outside their comfort zone and work as a team while learning something completely new,” she said.
Ms Glassock believes the new ship will continue the legacy of the original vessel for decades to come.
“It is really exciting to see investment being made into its future so that the initiative can continue to provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to the youth of Australia well into the future,” she said.
And her advice to those future youthies heading out on a voyage aboard?
“Just do it. I never regretted my voyage for one minute and I don’t think that anyone thinking of applying would either,” she said.
“Embrace every opportunity and experience that is given to you on the ship.”
