Busselton to Fremantle with Scouts WA
By Barbara de la Hunty – Leeuwin Volunteer
Homeward bound, we left Busselton Jetty with a fair southerly behind us and a crew of land and sea Scouts who had just come aboard — keen, organised and hungry to learn. You could say their Scouting background showed from the start.
Over five days and almost 200 nautical miles under sail — just eight under motor — they proved exactly that. Two nights at sea, slipping easily into the rhythm of night watches, the crew took to the routine as though they’d been doing it for years. It was a genuine pleasure to watch.
On the fourth day came the handover — the moment the trainees took the helm and the leadership of the ship. They had come a long way in a short time, and they were steady and efficient when it counted. Among them were four Scout leaders and our own Trainee Watch Leaders, one in each watch, working alongside and eager to step into the next chapter of their own volunteer journey.
On the last night of our voyage, the Scouts showed their true talents during a night of SODS opera (traditional name for an evening of singing & recital). It was a great wrap for an awesome time on board.
These are the voyages that remind you what Leeuwin is for. A willing crew, a willing ship, and the open sea doing what it always does — bringing out the best in people.
