Ochre colours of the newly painted Palais Theatre- sing out across Port Phillip Bay as we begin Day 1 of Two Bays 2017.
Our first day out for the 12th Two Bays project was an opportunity to get young Koori people and parents/carers out into their local Sea Country. Everyone was welcomed on board by Arweet (Elder) Carolyn Briggs and her grandson Marbee remained on board to share Boon Wurrung language and stories with the young participants.
Womindjeka Mar-ran biik biik Boonwurrumg Nairm derp bordupren uther weelam.
Welcome to our land of the two Great Bays Port Phillip and Western Port.
Young people on board learning Boon Wurrung vocabulary with Marbee Williams.
Many of the boat's passengers were out on the Bay for the first time and they also had an opportunity to learn from our Marine Educator Harry Breidahl, who shared marine biology lessons on Pelican1's trampoline as the sun decided to appear.
Many of the kids took advantage of the day to learn a bit about sailing a vessel like the Pelican1 and as often happens during the program, they ended up Captaining the boat for a moment.
The Captain teaching the youngest on board about Pelican1's auto pilot after he was asked- "Who's driving the boat?"
Our day's travel took us to just outside the Rickett's Point Marine Sanctuary from Pelican1's berth for the program at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron . We had one exciting boat moment when Pelican1's anchor had a slight anchoring hitch and we ended up having to anchor just outside of the Sanctuary (thankfully the anchor still worked, albeit manually for our first day).
Many of the young people had a chance to get into the water and learn more about snorkelling.
We had a lovely sail home at the end of the day, greeting the Melbourne skyline as we headed back to St Kilda. Thank you to the Urban South Koolin Balit Project, Inner South Community Health for their sponsorship of the first day out for Two Bays 2017. Thank you also to Paige England for volunteering for the day and supporting our snorkelling program.
