Dear ,

Meet Willy the worm … a sinister, worm-like marine mollusk with a voracious appetite for wooden tall ships, like the Enterprize! On finding a wooden hull, Willy’s slender, elongated and ghostly body writhes and twists using his rough, ridged shell to act like a drill.

Preventing naval shipworms like Willy from boring through our authentic wooden tall ship is critical. Regular inspections and timber treatment help to stop this “termite of the sea” from turning the Enterprize’s wooden hull into a floating skeleton.

You previously heard from us about the life changing impact of the Enterprize’s sail training program. It gives young people from diverse and disadvantaged groups the opportunity to learn important life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and critical thinking.

Please help us stop Willy the worm so we can keep sailing for the future of our youth.

During Winter, the Enterprize will be hauled out of the water and dry docked. Shipworms and larvae are unable to survive in dry wood, so it will be goodbye for Willy the worm. Dry docking allows the team to ensure the hull is structurally sound and make repairs.

This year, the Enterprize needs jarrah wood for urgent repairs. As a dense and durable native hardwood with a natural resistance to decay and marine borers it is perfect for shipbuilding.

A generous donor has agreed to match every dollar to ensure urgent repairs can proceed this Winter. It means if you give $50, the Enterprize will receive $100. Or $500 becomes $1,000. 

Double your impact! Can you help us reach our $3000 target and keep this valuable piece maritime history sailing?

Without those repairs, many thousands of primary school students will be unable to participate in our fun, interactive ‘living history’ sailing lessons next year. Connecting kids with Victoria’s maritime heritage enriches their education, and fosters a sense of community, pride and belonging.

Can you help us keep our tall ship afloat so we can engage, inspire and educate school children?

As a small volunteer-run charity, we rely on your kindness to maintain the ship and offer incredible opportunities to marginalised young people facing unprecedented challenges. Your donation can make a world of difference:

$50 covers the cost of a day’s meals for a young trainee

$100 helps fund essential sailing equipment such as harnesses, lifejackets, and wet weather gear

$250 sponsors a day of training for one young person

$500 helps fund a 'living history' schools education lesson 

$1000 funds a full four-day voyage, transforming another young life

$3000 buys jarrah wood to repair the wooden hull

$5000 purchases traditional materials such as hand made flax sailcloth, and hand tarred lines

With your support, the Enterprize can expand its youth and schools programs and make a difference in the lives of young people. Every dollar you give helps young people build skills and gain experiences that shape their futures.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Enterprize Sail Training Crew

P.S. The deadline for this year's tax deduction is looming fast. Please donate today and be part of something incredible!

P.P.S. If you have already donated, thank you.