The Nationals in Government will create 50 new jobs in regional NSW after signing a $37 million contract with a Port Macquarie-based company to deliver the replacement for the iconic Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour.
The decision to award the contract to Birdon Group represents a significant milestone in the life of one of Australia’s most recognised sail training schemes.
Nationals Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan, said the Birdon Group successfully securing the contract was just another example of regional Australia leading the charge for innovation and technology.
“There is no greater way to continue the legacy of Young Endeavour than with a locally built, state-of-the-art replacement sail training vessel,” Mr Conaghan said.
“I’m not at all surprised that a project of this calibre will come out of the Mid North Coast. To see local ingenuity rewarded like this is fantastic news for our region.
“Huge congratulations to the Birdon Group for the continued recognition of excellence by securing this exciting contract, and I look forward to seeing the project come to fruition.”
Birdon is wholly Australian owned and headquartered in Port Macquarie. Founded in 1977, the Birdon group of companies now employs approximately 400 personnel across the world, with operations throughout Australia, the United States, Europe, and Asia.
The company has six major business divisions: marine, engineering, dredging, disposals and shipping.
Young Endeavour has been in-service as a sail training ship for more than 30 years, delivering a youth development program that builds skills for life, and helping young people become more effective team players, communicators and leaders.
Young Endeavour has logged more than 400,000 nautical miles and has embarked more than 14,000 youth crew over 600 voyages. She is due to be withdrawn from service in 2024. The acquisition of a replacement for Young Endeavour is part of the Coalition Government’s naval shipbuilding enterprise.
Only the Coalition has a plan to continue delivering a strong economy and a stronger future for Australia.
Read more about the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme here: https://youngendeavour.gov.au/
