The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, has congratulated the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme on 25 years of youth development voyages aboard the national Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour.

“Twenty-five years of continuous service is a great accomplishment worthy of much celebration,” Mr Snowdon said.

“Since 1988 more than 11,000 young Australians have joined 472 challenging training voyages in Young Endeavour, and a further 10,000 guests from organisations supporting youth with special needs have joined a community day sail.

“During each voyage, youth who join Young Endeavour live and work with a diverse range of people, adapting to a challenging and unfamiliar environment as they learn to sail a square-rigged tall ship,” he said.

“In doing so they develop a broad range of personal skills and attributes – becoming more effective team members, leaders and communicators.

“Young people reap enormous benefit from the Young Endeavour Youth Development Program and, in turn, the Australian people also benefit as participants go on to make valuable contributions to their family, their employer, their community and their country.

“I congratulate the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme and the members of the Royal Australian Navy who crew the ship and deliver this internationally recognised program. It is a wonderful example of the contribution our people make in the Australian community.”

Imagery is available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20130269

Media contacts:
Minister Snowdon’s office: Marcus Butler (02) 6277 7820
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999