Join Volvo Melbourne stopover crew

by Emma O'Halloran, Melbourne Stopover on 9 Sep 2005 The Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006 sails in to Melbourne during January and February next year and organisers are calling for volunteers to join the Melbourne Stopover crew.

Based at Waterfront City at Melbourne Docklands, the Melbourne Stopover will be four weeks of exciting sailing and boating events, and entertainment both on land and water.

The yachts are scheduled to arrive from January 17, with key celebrations including an In-Port Race on February 4 and their departure on February 12, plus the biggest sailing program for recreational boater and sailors of all abilities ever seen in Victoria.

Held every four years since 1973 and stopping in Melbourne for the first time, the Volvo Ocean Race is an eight-month round the world yacht race which tests human endurance and technology to the limit.

Volunteers will have the chance to be an integral part of the success of this world-class event whether on the water on Port Phillip or Victoria Harbour or in the Waterfront City Race Village at Melbourne Docklands.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity to be an ambassador for Melbourne and part of a world-class event’ said Melbourne Stopover’s Event Project Manager, Peter Danks. ‘The Melbourne Stopover has something for everyone. You don’t have to be a sailor to volunteer, and we encourage anyone who has a positive ‘give it a go’ attitude to apply.’

Volunteer roles cover event and race management and crowd control of the on-water activities plus customer service, administration and operational assistance at Melbourne Docklands and Station Pier.

The Melbourne Stopover volunteer experience offers the opportunity to make new friendships, gain new skills, be an ambassador at an international event or simply give something to the community.

As part of the team that will be staging the Melbourne Stopover, volunteers will receive training, an exclusive uniform, meals on working days, and invitations to the Crew Party and volunteer thank you function.

Volunteers are required to work a minimum of three shifts on separate days.

Adults of all ages and experience are encouraged to apply, with applications closing on October 7.

Volvo Ocean Race background

The Volvo Ocean Race attracts teams of professional sailors who push the limits of human endurance as they race leading edge yachts around the globe.

Sailed in Volvo Open 70 yachts and covering over 32,000 nautical miles, this high-technology challenge sets a course that circumnavigates the globe, crossing four oceans through the roughest water on the planet, with teams racing for sporting honours against the best in the world.

Fielding seven teams, the race starts in Spain on November 12, 2005, with stopovers in South Africa, Australia, Brazil, USA, UK and Holland before finishing in Sweden in June 2006.

For the first time there is an all-Australian entry in the race, Premier Challenge, headed by Mornington-based Sydney-Hobart winner Grant Wharington

Additional information and application forms are available from www.melbournestopover.com.au, by emailing volunteer@melbournestopover.com.au or calling 03 8633 8888.