User:Kiwisailor/Spirit of Adventure Trust

The Spirit of Adventure Trust is a New Zealand charity that runs a youth development programme on board the tall ship Spirit of New Zealand. The 10-day programme is for youth aged 15-19, and aims to "develop qualities of leadership, independence and community spirit through the medium of the sea." Each voyage carries up to 40 trainees and typically 13 crew, a mix of paid staff and volunteers. The trust employs around seven administrative shore staff.

The trust was founded in 1973 with the gift of the topsail schooner Spirit of Adventure by Auckland businessman Lou Fisher. In 1986 the barquentine Spirit of New Zealand was launched to cater for increased demand for berths. The Spirit of Adventure was sold in 1997 due to increasing costs. The trust continues to operate the Spirit of New Zealand.

The trust has received a number of international awards, recognising its work within the sail training industry. It is a member of Sail Training International. Several significant university studies have been conducted on the effect of the programme on youth. The trust is a registered charity.

History
The Trust was founded in 1973 by Lou Fisher. Fisher had a vision for ..... and commissioned the Spirit of Adventure. This vessel carried 24 trainees and began taking youth on # day voyages around the Hauraki Gulf. Initially only running all-boys trips, the first all-girl trip ran in 19## with mixed voyages in 19##. In 1986, in response to increased demand for berths, the Trust launched a second ship the Spirit of New Zealand which carried 40 trainees. By 19## the demands of running two vessels was too great, and the Spirit of Adventure was sold. The Spirit of New Zealand had a design life of 30 years, however in 2010 a major refit extended this to ## years.

International Awards
The Spirit of Adventure Trust has received several international awards and nominations.

Sail Trainer of the Year, 2010
Paul Leppington, the Trust's marine director, was awarded Sail Trainer of the Year, 2010, by Sail Training International. This is "Awarded to a professional sail trainer to encourage and recognise high-performing individuals who deliver the sail training programme for young people at sea." Leppington has sailed as master on the Endeavour and Bounty, and as a specialist in square rig he was responsible for the design, layout, construction and operation of the rig of Spirit of New Zealand where he has spent most of his time. The Trust chairman Stephen Fisher accepted the award on Leppington's behalf at the conference in Stavanger, Norway, in November 2010.

Volunteer of the Year, 2009
Sheila Budgen of Nelson, a long-time volunteer for the Trust, was awarded Volunteer of the Year, 2009, by Sail Training International. This is "Awarded to a volunteer in the sail training movement who has made an extraordinary contribution to the organisation they serve through their skills, talent, time and dedication." This award was presented to Budgen at the 2009 conference in Istanbul, Turkey.

Sail Training Organisation of the Year (large vessels), 2008
The Trust was named the Sail Training Organisation of the Year (large vessels) in 2008 by Sail Training International. This is "Awarded to a sail training vessel that has demonstrated excellence in 'innovation' and 'best practice' in sail training for young people."

Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize, 2007
In 2007 Sail Training International (STI) was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the organisations work with young people internationally and for promoting international friendship and understanding. As a member organisation of STI, the Spirit of Adventure Trust was included in this nomination.

AUSTA Billy Can Award, 2003
The Australian Sail Training Association (AUSTA) presents the Billy Can Award (in years when there is not a tall ship event) to "a Sail Training vessel or Organisation for an outstanding achievement in the youth development sail training arena." The Spirit of Adventure Trust was presented the award in 2003.

Spirit of Adventure Trust Awards
The Spirit of Adventure Trust presents a number of awards to recognise the effort and involvement of the paid and volunteer crew who work for the organisation.

Topgallant Award
In 1998 the Topgallant Award was created by the Trust Board to recognise outstanding service for greater than ten years. Generally two are presented each year, and both volunteers and paid staff are eligible. The award name comes from the topgallant sail, which is the second sail from the top on the Spirit of New Zealand foremast.

The following is an incomplete list of Topgallant Award winners:
 * Humphrey Ewens, 2010 – volunteer Engineer
 * Tony Cummings,2010 – volunteer crew and Port Contact, Dunedin

Topsail Award
In 2001 the Topsail Award was created by the Trust Board to recognise outstanding service by a Voyager to their own Voyagers' group for greater than three years. Generally one is presented each year, and nominations are received from the Voyagers' Club. The award name comes from the topsail, which is the second sail from the bottom on the Spirit of New Zealand foremast.

The following is an incomplete list of Topsail Award winners:
 * Kirsta-Lee Harris, 2010

AUSTA Medallions
The Australian Sail Training Association (AUSTA) presents the Personal Achievement Medallion for "Young persons between the ages of 16 and 23 years who have shown outstanding personal achievement while undertaking a voyage, or, Persons of any age who have shown outstanding personal achievement either on board or in support of the Organisation's vessel." The award is available to member organisations to present annually to two recipients. In 200# the Spirit Voyagers' Club chose to use these awards to recognise service from its members of at least one year in duration. This award was to be nominated and presented by the Voyagers' Club, and was seen as a recognition of shorter service, compared to the three year requirement for the Topsail Award. The award has not been presented in recent years.

The following is an incomplete list of AUSTA Medallion winners:
 * Arthur McGregor

Lists to add Spirit of Adventure Trust to

 * List of charitable foundations