Winds of Joy Qld & Northern NSW

call out for Volunteers

With winter fast approaching, you may be seeking ways to stay active and keep warm. What better than to head to Queensland and volunteer in SWD’s Northern Campaign?

Sailors with disABILITIES, on board Kayle, will sail north to Mackay and return to Sydney over an 8-week period from August 3 to Sept 23, 2018

Along the way, we will stop at Southport, Rosslyn Bay, Mackay, Coffs Harbour and Newcastle. At each port Kayle will take groups of disadvantaged and disabled children sailing as part of our Winds of Joy program.

The deliveries between ports vary from four to ten days. Generally, The Winds of Joy sails will involve taking a group of between 10 and 15 children out in the morning and another in the afternoon for approximately 2 hrs each. There will also be rest days for the crew to explore the surrounding areas and do boat maintenance work.

This year will be our 21st Northern Outreach Campaign. Over the years the Campaign has provided a sailing experience to thousands of children with disabilities, disadvantaged youth and their parents, and allowed them to enjoy the freedom and adventure of sailing.

Accommodation is onboard the boat, but It is not compulsory. Personally, we believe that living on the boat in a marina is part of the charm and adventure. Kayle will be fully provisioned on departure and re-provisioned at each port so onboard meals are provided. Again, it’s not compulsory and, occasionally, all or part of the crew will dine on land at cost to the individual. It is also the responsibility of the volunteer to personally arrange and cover the cost of all transportation to and from the ports at which you join the boat.

For some, this sailing opportunity offers the thrill of a lifetime; for others, it is the beginning of a new chapter of change. Join our Northern campaign as a volunteer and you will:

• Assist with our Winds of joy sails and help lots of enthusiastic kids
• Explore Australia's fabulous Eastern Coastline at the best time of year
• Meet like-minded people with a passion for sailing and creating change
• Gain sailing and boating experience
• Enjoy fabulous sunsets and sunrises, birds, dolphins and whale watching. There is plenty of time for reading, swimming, walking and exploring the area around the marina or just relaxing onboard with the odd gin and tonic. 

Dates as follows:

Please remember that all delivery crews and Winds of Joy volunteers must meet the relevant criteria listed below. Also, it is in the spirit of the campaign for crew wishing to do deliveries to contribute to Winds of Joy sails as well, so those volunteers helping with Winds of Joy Sails will be given preference on deliveries.

Delivery departure dates are always weather-dependent and can change at any time. We do our utmost to give all incoming crew the most updated information we can, but Mother Nature runs the show.

Everyone will need:

• Current SWD Membership
• Current Working with Children Check    
• To have attended SWD’s Orientation session
• A Crew Assessment classification

Those doing deliveries will have, a current Sea Safety & Survival Certificate

If you meet the criteria listed above and wish to volunteer, please follow the link below to register via the SWD website:

Click here for the calendar

Because we are running these programs in Queensland, we are required to have a QLD working with children accreditation which is the BLUE CARD. The application process can take approximately 28 business days to be processed and is free for volunteers.                

Please follow the attached link:

Apply for your Blue Card here

Download, print and forward signed, original applications, including a copy of your photo ID and any other relevant identification documents specified in the NC application form to alyson@sailorswithdisabilities.com.