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YOUR COMMUNITY NEWS • APR/MAY 2016 PAGE
Opportunity of a lifetime
The STS Young Endeavour is an Australian tall ship,
operated by the Royal Australian Navy and used primarily
to provide sail training for youth.
So when it docked at Port Adelaide in early February and
a call was put out through Port Adelaide Enfield Council
for volunteers to spend a day on board, the Council’s
Community Services team wasted no time leaping at
the opportunity.
Community Services Officers Carah Stewart and Sara
O’Neill knew an experience like this would be once in
a lifetime for their clients living in Supported Residential
Facilities.
“It’s our job to provide programs to keep our clients active
and engaged in the community,” said Carah.
“It was wonderful to see their eyes light up when we told
them they had the chance to spend a day on board
a Tall Ship.”
For Glyn Brookes – a long-term “SRF” tenant, it was a
dream come true.
He said he undertook an apprenticeship in naval
architecture many years ago – but he hadn’t been out on
the water since.
“I’ve heard about the Young Endeavour, I heard about it on
television” he said.
“And the moment someone says ‘boat’ I jump up –
it was great.”
Glyn said his past experience with boats held him in good
stead – whereas some of his friends were a little nervous.
“I was rigging up the mainsail – it wasn’t hard work, it was
easy. There were lots of people that were scared but I know
boats like that – and they don’t tip over, they can’t.”
Fellow SRF tenant Pip Redpath shared Glyn's enthusiasm.
“It was a one-off opportunity where financially, living in a
facility like this, there is no way I could have afforded to
do it. Thankfully the girls thought of me,” she said, looking
fondly at Carah.
For people who’re often doing it tough, it’s clear that the
work of Carah and her Community Services colleagues
brings much-needed joy into their lives.
Pip continued, “I’m a bit of a thrill-seeker. It felt like going
on a dolphin cruise because it was flat water, but if it was
out on the ocean it would have been more thrilling.”
On the highlight of the day – Pip and Glyn agreed the food
was outstanding.
“I was impressed they had a full-time chef,” said Pip.
Glyn said the day-trip experience will stay with him for a
very long time.
“If I was a bit younger I would join up with something
like that.” And his parting words to the crew, “Good luck.
They’re on an adventure – that’s what sailing is, it’s
an adventure.”
SRF clients, staff, other volunteers and crew
on board the Young Endeavour
Pip Redpath and Glyn Brookes