STS Leeuwin II member named Trainee of the Year at International Sail Training and Tall Ships Conference

WHEN a ship travels from port to port, its crew can be almost anonymous.

However, STS Leeuwin II’s Rachel Norrie has a name few in the sailing world will forget after she was dubbed the Trainee of the Year for a volunteer aged under 25, an international award.

Announced at the International Sail Training and Tall Ships Conference 2016, the 23-year-old is just the second Australian to win the award since 2007 and adds another to the trophy cabinet of the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation, which picked up the Large Vessel Organisation award in 2010.

Having joined the STS Leeuwin II two years ago and now living aboard the tall ship, Ms Norrie said she could not believe it when the winner was announced.

“It was a huge honour to receive such a significant award in the sail training industry,” she said.

“The recognition from Sail Trainer of the Year in the volunteer award will open doors to so many opportunities onboard other tall ships around the world, and I can’t wait to see where it will take me.”

Leeuwin chief executive Carol Shannon said the foundation was proud of Ms Norrie’s achievements.

“This award acknowledges Rachel’s achievements as a high-performing individual delivering sail training to young people,” she said.