Captain Sarah Parry

Captain Sarah Parry of the Tall Ship STV Windeward Bound

Joining a Youth Development Sail Training Voyage young people aged 14-18 learn the skills to sail a square-rigged tall ship. They will keep watch and take the helm, help in the galley, learn to navigate using the ship’s charts and climb the 24-metre mast to set and furl the sails. They will learn how to work in a team and learn that teamwork and communication can overcome all obstacles. 
The ship will also drop anchor from time to time to allow for some fun activities at safe beaches. They will also discover that many of the lessons taught in the school curriculum have a practical application in the day to day life of a tall ship, enhancing what they learn in the classroom, and providing a sense of positive reasoning as to why their studies have an importance. 
Each participant is encouraged to pursue personal and team goals and challenges. By the end of each voyage they will have the skills and confidence to participate in programs and activities they never thought possible.
Captain Sarah spent her early working years as a member of the Royal Australian Navy. After leaving the Navy, she worked as a joiner, later becoming involved in set design and construction for television and theatre, and eventually became a production designer and art director.
In 1984, she found the plans that would eventually become the Windeward Bound, and began a 15-year construction process with support of a large number of willing volunteers. Windeward Bound was launched in March 1996.
For the last 25 years, she has served as the Managing Trustee and Captain of STV Windeward Bound. Sarah holds a Master <45m certificate, with square rig and sail endorsement, MED 3 certificate, and is a British Nautical Institute, Square rig and sail endorsed Master.
Sarah was awarded International Sail Trainer of the Year in 2017. She was a finalist for Tasmanian Senior Australian of the Year in 2020, has received a Paul Harris Fellowship Award (District 9830) and in 2021 was awarded Member of the Order of Australia.