Seeking our next Young Endeavour crew and sponsors

Six young people will be embarking on an amazing sailing adventure in early 2018 as part of the Upper Hunter Shire Council Young Endeavour Scheme.

Nominations for Upper Hunter youth, aged 16 to 24 years, are invited from Young Endeavour scheme sponsors, schools, community and sporting groups for this adventure of a lifetime on a tall ship.  Nominations close Friday 18 August 2017.

The six participants will survive sea sickness, cold, wet, cramped conditions, sleep deprivation, climbing to the top of the mast, and being without their phones or television, and then describe it as the ‘experience of a lifetime’.

Council is seeking sponsorship from businesses and community groups to contribute toward the $30,000 cost of six berths on the tall ship. The young people nominated by their community to be in the draw for a berth also contribute through fundraising. The names of three girls and three boys will be drawn at a special dinner, for sponsors and the nominees, to be held later this year.

Council has supported this program with the help of the Upper Hunter community since 1998 and around 76 young people have already taken part.

There are three levels of sponsorship: Gold ($1000 and over), Silver ($250 to $999) and Bronze (up to $249). Gold sponsors are able to nominate two young people and Silver sponsors are entitled to one nomination for the Young Endeavour Scheme. Nominations are also invited from schools, sporting groups, community groups and services for a fee of $60.

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme aims to provide young Australians with a unique, challenging and inspirational experience which increases their self-awareness, develops teamwork and leadership skills and creates a strong sense of community responsibility.

Three of this year’s participants  - Ethan Hansia, Brianna Denley and Paige Haydon  - addressed the ordinary Council Meeting on Monday evening about how their experience built self-esteem and self-confidence and thanked Council and sponsors.

Paige said she was now considering joining the Navy.

“Sailing was never something I thought I’d like. The atmosphere is amazing. You don’t think about your phone, you just connect with the people around you,” Paige said.

“These memories will stick with us forever.

“Young Endeavour is something I highly recommend,” she said.

Find nomination and sponsorship information and forms HERE.

Contact Details

Upper Hunter Shire Council
P: 6540 1100
E: council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au