Adventurers’ spaces saved for future voyage after Leeuwin left high and dry

Adventurers from South West shire saw their voyage dashed on the rocks after a West Australian icon was damaged earlier this year.

Aspiring sailors from the Shire of Harvey have been given the chance to set sail on STS Leeuwin II as part of an ongoing sponsorship program co-ordinated by the shire with the Rotary Club of Harvey, and Lions Club’s Australind, Brunswick Junction and Harvey branches since 1989.

But before this year’s adventurers were set to take to the high seas, the Leeuwin sustained serious damage when a cargo ship collided with the vessel while it was moored in Fremantle port.

While the recovery of the Leeuwin is well under way all voyages were cancelled until repairs could be complete, with councillors from the shire last month voting to offer successful applicants of the cancelled 2024 voyage a position on a future trip.

When the matter went before the program’s advisory group in October, the idea to contribute this year’s funds to the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation to restore the vessel was floated.

However, the shire voted to retain its own funds and set them aside for future exhibitions and seek a refund from the foundation.

The council vote passed 10-0.