Reina Del la Varis on Young Endeavour

My name is Reina Del la Varis, I am 20 years old and I am lucky enough to be one of the three Kiwi berths on the Australian tall ship STS Young Endeavour's World Voyage 04/15: a 50 day voyage from Canakkale, Turkey to Southampton, United Kingdom.

Everyone has a place they feel most comfortable, most happy, most at home. A place they dream of. For me, that place is the sea. When I was 6 years old I saw Titanic for the first time. That’s where it all started. The opening scenes of the greatest ocean liner of its time meant nothing to a child other than beauty and dreams of sailing, fading into a deep, blue abyss. I knew then that was where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. As I grew up my love and respect for the ocean and its marine life flourished. This prompted me to seek opportunities in which I could immerse myself in this environment.

This opportunity has given me a new dream and something to aspire to. It is a wonderful chance to go to sea, have an incredible time, make new friends, travel and most of all, remember those who paid the ultimate price and were lost at Gallipoli.

Having a direct family connection to the soldiers who served at Gallipoli makes this trip all the more poignant. My great grandfather, Sergeant Victor William Eather, was in the Auckland Infantry Battalion and later the ANZAC Provost Corps. He served in Gallipoli from 08/06/15 to 25/09/15 as well as in Egypt, the Balkans and France. Being ex-Navy makes me far more appreciative of what those who have gone before us sacrificed. I’ve gained a high level of respect for past and current serving members of our militaries. This year I attended my first ANZAC ceremony in uniform, as part of the Royal New Zealand Navy (although I have since left), and it definitely changed the experience for me. For the first time I truly reflected on the sombre significance of this remembrance service.

Another of my great grandfathers also served in the First World War, as did two of my great uncles who unfortunately were both killed in action, in France. The chance to honour these men and at the same time sail the Young Endeavour through the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic will be life changing.

I will be there to watch the sunrise in Gallipoli and remember them once more, 100 years on.

I hope you can help make it happen by just giving a little! :)

If you would like to read more about the voyage and the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme visit the web page: http://www.youngendeavour.gov.au/2015/v04.php