Port Phillip Rotary Sailing Challenge
Thanks to the collaboration between Mac.Rob and Port Phillip Rotary, we had the incredible opportunity to sponsor one of our fortunate Year 10 students, Dishika G, for an unforgettable five-day Sailing Challenge organised by Rotary.
The purpose of the five-day training program aboard the tall ship One & All is to provide recipients with unique challenges that they wouldn't encounter on land. Once they step foot on board, their lives undergo a significant transformation in various ways.
During the initial three days, trainees acquaint themselves with the multitude of tasks involved in safely navigating a square-rigged ship. On the last two days, while closely observing, the crew steps back, allowing the trainees to sail the vessel home independently.
Upon boarding the ship, their mobile phones were confiscated, only to be returned upon reaching the end of the voyage. They are divided into three watches: Port, Starboard, and Middle. For the remainder of their time on board, they work in their respective watches, guided by an Officer and watch leader. This entails working in shifts of four hours on and four hours off, around the clock. Trainees were assigned a small locker for personal belongings and share a bunk on rotation with two members from the other watches.
One of the initial challenges faced by trainees involves manoeuvring on the rolling and sometimes violently bucking ship. They learn the names of various ropes, lines, and sails on the vessel, working together as a team to precisely follow orders. Climbing the rigging to reef and unfurl the sails becomes part of their training. This includes walking on foot ropes beneath the moving spars, with the ocean swirling 80 feet below. They also learnt to maintain cleanliness on the ship, coil lines for future use, and ensure everything is in its proper place. Additionally, trainees acquire skills such as helming the vessel, reading charts, navigating, and making judgments on setting appropriate sails based on wind conditions.
Dishika felt immense excitement when Rotary invited her to share her experiences during a splendid evening gathering. She passionately expressed her journey, receiving a round of applause and appreciation. Mac.Rob intends to continue fostering partnerships with Rotary and offering similar sponsorships to their students.
My voyage on the One & All was packed with fulfilling moments. When I stepped onto the ship in Adelaide, I was entirely unprepared and open-minded, not knowing what to expect. The girl who departed the One & All in Melbourne felt different, with another level of understand of overcoming challenges, growth and achievement. From gazing out at the open blue sea for hours and calling to my new friends that I had spotted dolphins or a whale, to lying on deck to admire the bright and sparkling stars, I felt peace and enlightenment I have never experienced by temporarily disconnecting from the business of life. Unexpectedly, pushing myself to pitch in cleaning while feeling sea sick, straining to haul rope after climbing to the top of the mast and pulling myself out of bed at 4 am for watch were incredibly rewarding. Those moments and experiences were what truly led me to break the glass ceiling of what I am capable of.
Life on a ship entailed cleaning the galley, deck and accommodation, learning how to alter the sails and steer the ship, tying knots, but most importantly, working as a team. Through a variety of activities that ranged from anchor watch to competitions, we all had to rely on and trust each other. When we, as trainees, finally began to connect and enjoy ourselves, I was able to appreciate the unlikely situation I was in and how incredibly happy I was out at sea. I highly recommend this experience for anyone of eligible age- a diverse range of students participated, and we were all able to thrive by the end of the voyage. I am incredibly grateful to Port Phillip Rotary for allowing me to participate in this program, and I hope to return to the One & All as a volunteer, giving back to the program.
Dishika