Rotary 2025 East Coast Youth Leadership Challenge

We are excited to announce that the Internationally award winning Youth Development Brigantine STV Windeward Bound will be sailing to Queensland in 2025 as part of the Rotary 2025 East Coast Youth Leadership Challenge. This initiative comes in response to requests from Rotary Presidents and District Governors in NSW and Queensland following the resounding success of last year’s event.

While last year presented some challenging voyages and port visits, those experiences have helped us better prepare for 2025. Next year’s journey will see the ship sailing from Hobart to Mackay and back, delivering 10 voyages that will see 200 young Australians benefit. Detailed dates and port visits are included in the enclosed brochure.

We kindly ask for your Club's support in the form of a donation—$500, if possible within your budget. These funds will help cover the advance purchase of essential items such as T-shirts, hats, ship boots, and non-perishable supplies for the 10 planned voyages.

If your Club is keen to go further and sponsor a local Sail Trainee, a donation of $1,000 can be allocated to a nominated youth participant—either a boy or girl selected by your Club. Should your initial nominee be unable to participate for any reason, the nomination can be transferred to another youth or even another Club if necessary.

To provide a better understanding of the program's impact, we have included a link to a video showcasing the transformative experiences participants gain from their voyage.

We encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your Club Board and let us know if support is possible by 1 February 2025.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to empowering young leaders.

Yours in Rotary,                                                    

Captain Sarah Parry AM  Master and Managing Trustee                      

PP  Chris Ellis PHF    Voyage series Co-ordinator