She was built in 1922 and sailed the first five Sydney-Hobart Yacht Races. If you would like to help in her restoration you can donate either time and/or materials by emailing us on [email protected] or you can donate money. To donate money please go to https://drct-windeward-bound.prod.supporterhub.net/donations/website-donations
Mistral II's restoration uses history to build futures
for young Tasmanians who are keen to work. Mistral II is a gaff-rigged wooden schooner being comprehensively restored in Hobart's Constitution Dock with the help of young Tasmanians who (thanks to financial assistance from the Tasmanian State Government) learn from skilled boatbuilders, while learning a range of maritime industry skills and getting mentoring and guidance about how to behave in a workplace. Our trainees are young people who are work ready but not job ready. If you think about it, a person can have all kinds of training but, without someone showing them how workplaces actually operate and how to behave as a reliable and constructive employee, that person won't ever get a foot in the door and they can stay unemployed even though they're keen and capable. (Multi Industry Skills Training Reaching All Levels) trainees will figure out the protocols of a modern workplace (albeit a floating one), thanks to working shoulder-to-shoulder with our seasoned crew. We teach workplace skills as well as practical wood-working and boat-restoration, and make it possible for our trainees to undertake as many other maritime skills programs as possible. They graduate from our program seeing new possibilities for their futures and possessing valuable skills and experience. When works are finished, Mistral II will join the STV Windeward Bound () to offer life-changing youth development Adventure Under Sail programs to young Tasmanians. Young people who've participated in Mistral II's restoration so far have shown a significant increase in self esteem, confidence, skill level and job readiness. We're on a mission to give capable young people practical work skills that will radically change their future opportunities. If you'd like to join our crew of supporters who contribute money, materials, time and/or goodwill, please follow us here and sign up to our newsletter at www.windewardbound.com.au
Posts between mid-December 2020 and January 2021 were a re-creation of Mistral II's preparation for and participation in the 1947 Sydney to Hobart race, using records from her navigator, Marsden Hordern. The entire fascinating account of this race and other early Syd-Hbt races can be found in Craig Harris's book, Blue Water Warriors - available to buy from https://www.windewardbound.com.au/ships-shop
