A crew of 18 young South Australians – including nine Aboriginal teenagers - will turn history on its head as they sail the high seas on a Tall Ship into one of Australia’s most famous ports.

Leaving Port Adelaide this Sunday afternoon (August 26), the crew will sail South Australia’s One and All to Sydney Harbour as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Tall Ships Programme.

The Aboriginal crew members, organised by South Australia’s Social Inclusion Unit with the support of community service groups like Mission Australia, have been selected on the basis of their high achievements which, for many, has involved major struggles against disadvantage and adversity.

More than 100 youth crew trainees from all over the country and Asia are involved in the Programme, which involves seven tall ships travelling to Sydney from various parts of Australia and Indonesia.

The initiative will showcase the harbour and Australia’s cultural heritage to the leaders of the 21 APEC members meeting in Sydney on September 8 and 9 and highlights the APEC Forum theme – investment in youth for the future.

One of the Aboriginal crew members, Sam Kelly, 15, of O’Sullivan’s Beach can’t wait to set sail on Sunday – in fact, he’s been wearing his Tall Ships uniform since he got it earlier this week.

“I’m really looking forward to getting on board,” said the Morphett Vale High School Year 10 student, who was recommended for the voyage by Mission Australia.

But the trip won’t be all smooth sailing for Sam, who’s a valuable member of South Adelaide’s Under 17 football team. Nearly two metres tall, he’ll have major problems folding his frame into the small bunks and will have to stoop sharply in the galley, where the crew will cook and eat.

He’s also not sure how his sea legs will perform out on the ocean. But a few bumps on the head and the risk of seasickness are a small price to pay for such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Dave Rickets, from Mission Australia’s special indigenous program NOW (No Opportunities Wasted), said it will be an amazing experience for a future community leader like Sam.

“He’s a great role model,” Mr Rickets said. “Not just through sport, although the other kids obviously look up to him for his sporting skills, but also because he’s determined to get on with his education and to take on projects like this.”

The One and All’s Chief Executive Philip Marshall said students on the sail training voyages, including the trip to Sydney, are credited with one unit towards their South Australian Certificate of Education.

“The experience provided by the One and All’s Youth Development Program of sailing a square rig vessel is second to none when it comes to developing and building on their self esteem, confidence, leadership and teamwork.”

“The skills they learn on board don’t just stay on the ship. They will carry what they learn and experience with them when they return to their community and hopefully, through their whole life.”

Other fleets participating in the APEC Tall Ships Programme are: Arung Samudera (Republic of Indonesia); James Craig (Australian Heritage Fleet); Bounty (New South Wales); HM Bark Endeavour Replica (Australian National Maritime Museum); Young Endeavour (Australian Navy) and Windward Bound (Tasmania).

Media please note: Interviews and photographs can be organised ahead of the ship’s departure, but please register your interest as soon as possible so they can fit into the departure schedule.

For more information, contact:
Marie McInerney, Rann Communication
Tel: 08 8344 8462
Mob: 0418 273 698