Kalgoorlie youth round off year with Leeuwin voyage

Four young people from Eastern Goldfields College have travelled to Fremantle to experience a week-long Leeuwin voyage, all thanks to sponsors AngloGold Ashanti.

Declan Rixon (17), Ashleigh May (17), Josie Cooper (16) and Madaline Keast (17) boarded WA’s very own tall ship, the STS Leeuwin II, on a voyage from 7 – 13 November.

The Leeuwin Ocean Adventure aims to enrich the lives of young people through adventure, participation and challenge.

The local group set out on an adventure of a lifetime, participating in all onboard activities, including working aloft, cleaning the deck, participating in night watch and climbing the 33m main mast.

A total of seven berths including travel costs were sponsored by Anglo Gold Ashanti in 2017 to students of Eastern Goldfields College.

Madaline Keast (17) from Kambalda speaks about what she gained from the experience.

“As the week went on, I became more confident in myself and I learnt I can do anything I put my mind to.”

Josie Cooper (16) talks about what she learnt from her time at sea and her appreciation of this opportunity.

“Learning how to sail and journey, while meeting dozens of lovely and interesting people made the whole experience worthwhile,” she said.

“I have made amazing friends that will inspire me for years.”

“This sponsorship was incredibly important and generous. I am so grateful for the generosity and without it, I would not have afforded the journey.”

The STS Leeuwin II schedule will be released in January 2018, detailing voyages all the way up to mid-2019.

The Leeuwin Ocean Adventure is funded through the sale of voyages, a combination of grants, corporate sponsorships and donations by organisations and the general public.

It is an award winning provider of personal development and leadership programs that provides key life skills for young people aged 14-25 that they will take into their studies, careers and community.

Since 1986, the Leeuwin has provided exciting and life-changing programs to more than 40,000 young people across Australia.