Come Sail With Us

By Anne Hall

Our family became involved with Sailability four years ago after seeing a HEN advertisement. Teenagers were wanted to go out to the glorious Lysterfield Lake Friday mornings and try their hand at sailing aiming to take people who needed assistance out on the lake for a sail.

Sailability organisations are not-for-profit, volunteer-based and, through the activity of sailing, enrich the lives of people of all abilities – the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged as well as people with physical challenges.

Four years ago, we were met at the Lake by “grandfather” Brian and in a short number of weeks our home ed teens had developed a great relationship with Brian and were braving the lake in all weathers.  It was a great opportunity to meet and make new home ed friends and my teens have developed beautiful new and lasting friendships with fellow volunteers.  As a home ed mum it was a rewarding few years watching the teens work their magic with the clients and develop skills, not only in sailing but, most beautifully, with the clients who came eagerly each week for a sail. Challenging at times but very supportive, it has been a great learning for us all. The joy that radiates from a person unable to move their own limbs, but hoisted into a waiting boat, with a friendly young person beside them, and experiencing the freedom of movement as the boat glides through the water under a big blue sky – you can imagine the gift for all involved!

A couple of the teens have put in the yards for their boat licence and operate the motorised rescue boat for us. Our teens also attended a first aid course, so lots of opportunities spring from this worthwhile activity.

The gorgeous Amber and Cam and family, organisers of our home ed community of Sailability volunteers, have retired as of the end of 2017, as have we, and we extend our gratitude to them and to Brian and the Sailability organisation. The wonderful Brian has been a boon for us all and is keen to keep Home Ed Sailability alive. I encourage anyone with teens who may be interested to contact Brian and come along and have a try. It’s worth it!

So, thank you blue lake and gums and kangaroos and ibis for your company on Friday mornings as my teens sailed and my younger one played happily with other younger siblings. This home ed life is so full of wonderful opportunities.

If you would like to know more about participating in the Home Ed Sailability Program that will operate Friday mornings during terms one and four for 2018 please contact Brian Girling, Rear Commodore, Lysterfield Sailability 0427 521 128

More volunteers are needed to keep this program running.