Rear Admiral Rothesay ‘Ross’ Cathcart Swan was born at Orange, NSW on 1 June 1926 and entered the RAN College as a cadet midshipman in January 1940. Following a distinguished Naval career spanning more than forty years, Rear Admiral Swan retired from the RAN in 1983 and the following year became the Director Tall Ships – Australia (Bicentennial Authority). He has also been deeply involved in the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme since its inception.

Stephen Moss was appointed Executive Director of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme in 2004, following a distinguished career in the Royal Australian Navy. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 2002 for his contribution to Navy’s amphibious and afloat support capabilities. Under his leadership, the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme has continued to flourish and its youth development program is widely acknowledged as innovative and dynamic. Stephen was elected to the Australian Sail Training Association, now Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand (TANZ), Committee in 2005 and served in several roles before being elected President. He is Australia and New Zealand’s International Representative to Sail Training International (STI) and also on the executive committee of STI’s Tall Ship Forum.

Sarah is the builder, Master, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Trustee of the youth development sail training brigantine Windeward Bound. Sarah holds a Masters ticket in square sail, is a former board member and Treasurer of the Sydney Maritime Museum (Sydney Heritage Fleet), and has been involved in sail, steam and other motive power for over 45 years. Prior to Windeward Bound, Sarah was a member of the Royal Australian Navy, and then Senior Vice President of the Tasmanian wilderness based youth development project, PROJECT HAHN. Both Sarah and the Windeward Bound Trust were founding members of Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand, and have embraced the ideals of Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand since its inception.

Following almost thirty years as a volunteer, including nineteen years as a Director, Carol was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation in July 2016. Carol’s professional experience spans the corporate sector, principally in banking and finance and incorporating seven years in the City of London, and the government sector, in senior business management roles with three State government statutory bodies. Carol is focused on long term delivery of premium youth development outcomes in Western Australia.

Jon retired as the General Manager of Sydney Heritage Fleet in 2012 and devoted himself to organising the 2013 International Fleet Review Tall Ship Festivals held in Australia and New Zealand. Jon has been sailing since he was 11 years old. He first went to sea professionally as a 15 year old deck hand on coasters in the North Sea, before undertaking a marine engineering apprenticeship with the New Zealand Shipping Co. Subsequently, he studied industrial engineering and undertook an MBA in voluntary sector strategic management. Jon sailed James Craig as a deck hand and worked as a riveter on the restoration of the John Oxley, Australia’s last coastal steam ship. Jon has considerable experience as Chief Executive of voluntary organisations in Australia and the UK, and has consulted widely in Australia and the US.

Jennifer joined the sail training community in 2009, coordinating STS Young Endeavour’s circumnavigation of Australia. She is currently the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme Marketing Manager. Jennifer has over fifteen years experience in marketing and public affairs, and has previously worked as a communication advisor for the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Australian Navy. In 2013 she coordinated publicity for the Australia and New Zealand International Tall Ship Festival and the inaugural Sydney Auckland Tall Ships Regatta. She holds Bachelor Degrees in Communication and Applied Economics, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As a founder member and long serving volunteer for the Queensland Sail Training Association and the tall ship South Passage, Robyn has devoted a great deal of time, energy and hard work to delivering personal development opportunities to Australian youth. A highly experienced and respected sailor, Robyn is a relieving master for South Passage, and has been involved in the office and on deck for over twenty years, providing development opportunities for hundreds of people. In 2013 Robyn was awarded Sail Training International Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her ongoing dedication to sail training. In 2014 Robyn received a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to youth.

Murray has been involved with sail training since 2000 and is a Sail Training International Trustee. As a sail trainer and high school science teacher he seeks to connect teachers and students with sail training, and is currently researching the impact sail training has on teacher pedagogy. While working as Voyage Coordinator for the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme he developed the ‘Generic Youth Development Program’ and assisted with the development of the ‘Self-Assessment Tool Kit’ for Sail Training International. Murray is a previous winner of the Sail Training International Volunteer of the Year award, and regularly presents at International Sail Training and Tall Ships conferences. He is currently developing a range of sail training support material including a facilitators’ guide and teacher training guide, with curriculum links and resources.

Ian has been involved with tall ships for over twenty years, starting as a watch leader then purser, Second Mate, First Mate and eventually Captain of STV One and All. He is a former President of the Australian Sail Training Association, former Chief Executive Officer and Operations Manager of the Sailing Ship Trust of South Australia, and current sailor and chandlery owner.

Sam is a retired mariner and lecturer in maritime studies. He sailed for years aboard tall ships in Hobart including the Lady Nelson and Windward Bound, as well as brief stints aboard Rhona H and One and All. Sam moved to Canberra and lectured in maritime studies at the Australian Maritime college for 7 years before retirement. He is currently a crew aboard the Paddle Steamer Enterprise operating on Lake Burley Griffith and was previously the skipper of the historic vessel the Steam Yacht Preana (1896) for 10 years. Sam is looking forward to continuing his adventures under the auspices of the Sydney Heritage Fleet and TANZ.

An experienced event management and partnerships coordinator in the non-profit and small business sectors, Lisa has been working and volunteering with tall ships since 2016. She first sailed with STS Young Endeavour in the Northern Territory – an experience she describes as life changing. Soon after, Lisa began working with Windeward Bound and feels proud to have supported so many young Tasmanians to join youth development voyages. Lisa is now a team leader with the Smith Family and continues to volunteer with tall ships in Australia and as a member of the Sail Training International Youth Committee.

Cassandra is the Australian Youth Representative on the TANZ Committee and has been volunteering aboard tall ships for several years. Her tall ship journey started aboard the STS Young Endeavour in 2019, on a voyage between Mackay and Cairns. The experience was incredible, and she fell in love with the sense freedom you feel when you are far off the coast, surround only by waves. Cassie currently volunteers with the Sydney Heritage Fleet as a deckhand aboard the James Craig. She adores climbing aloft, making videos and encouraging other young people to try tall ship sailing.

Francesca is enthusiastic about the Sail Training Industry and is passionate about how tall ships are a facilitator for personal growth. Her tall ship journey began in February 2017, completing a 10 Day Youth Development Voyage onboard STS ‘Spirit of New Zealand’. Since then, Francesca has immersed herself in a variety of roles onboard including as a Volunteer, Cadet and 3^rd Mate. She has also sailed as Voyage Crew and volunteered onboard Jubilee Sailing Trust’s S.V. ‘Tenacious’ and in 2019, Francesca travelled to Tasmania to volunteer on a 7 Day Youth Development Voyage onboard S.V. ‘Windeward Bound’. Francesca is currently a Relief Mate onboard ‘Spirit of NZ’, and continues to volunteer as a Shore Champion for the Spirit of Adventure Trust and is a member of the Sail Training International Youth Committee.