STV Windeward Bound arrives on the sunny Gold Coast

On Thursday 28 August, STV Windeward Bound sailed gracefully into the Southport Seaway, Gold Coast, on its return journey to Tasmania as part of the 2025 East Coast Youth Challenge.

Proudly supported by Australian Rotary districts, the sailing adventure sees 14- to 17-year-olds come together to live, work and play with people they have never met before. Over 10 days, the teens learn about becoming a team member, taking responsibility, giving and taking orders, pushing themselves physically and mentally, being cold, wet, weary, possibly sick and often frightened – but in the end they will look back on it as the best experience of their lives.

By the end of the 10-day voyage, what started as a group of 18 disparate individuals – some shy, some leaders, some nervous, a few suspicious or rebellious, and nearly all totally inexperienced young land-lubbers – becomes a crew, and what they have learnt goes far beyond seamanship and navigation.

Captain Sarah Parry AM and her crew are currently looking for more youths to take part in voyages seven, eight and nine of the journey:

• Voyage 7 – Southport to Newcastle (8-17 September)
• Voyage 8 – Newcastle to Eden (2-11 October)
• Voyage 9 – Eden to Beauty Point (26 October – 4 November)

If you or your club know of any 14- to 17-year-olds who would benefit from this exceptional youth leadership development program, please contact 2025 East Coast Youth Leadership Challenge Coordinator Chris Ellis via chris.ellissbhrotary@gmail.com or 0419 487 737.