Jessica Watson– a girl with a dream

The S&S 34 Ella’s Pink Lady in a big swell and brisk south-westerly breeze NSW Maritime http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

Jessica Watson crosses the finish line between Sydney’s North and South Heads © NSW Maritime http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

NSW Maritime did their best to maintain a 100 metre exclusion zone around the bright pink S&S 34 Ella Pink Lady as she sailed into Sydney this afternoon, but try as they might NSW Maritime could not keep the excited spectators at bay and it seemed like she was sailing amongst the Sydney to Hobart spectator fleet.

Jessica Watson with some of the estimated 1500 boats that came out to greet her on Sydney Harbour © NSW Maritime http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

Just inside South Head, three Australia Customs Officers transferred to Pink Lady and a few minutes later departed have stamped Jessica's Passport and cleared the vessel for arrival.

Next aboard were Jesse Martin, who at eighteen set the WSSRC Round the World record and young British sailor Mike Pelham, another young circumnavigator.

Australian Jessica Watson prepares to berth her S&S34 Ella’s Pink Lady in Sydney © NSW Maritime http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

Having kept Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and NSW Premier Kristina Keneally waiting for three hours today, Watson stepped ashore on the Man O War steps in Sydney Cove.

The young sailor wobbled a little, but was surprisingly steady on her feet. waving to the surrounding crowd as she headed up the bright pink carpet.

In front of a large crowd on the Opera House steps Prime Minster Rudd said 'Jess welcome back to dry land. Welcome back home to Australia. In the eyes of all Australians you stand tall as our newest Australian hero'

'At sixteen years old you are a hero to all young Australians. You are also a hero to all young Australian women. You do our nation proud.'

The schoolgirl drew cheers when she said 'I don't consider myself a hero, I'm just an ordinary girl,'

'You just have to have a dream, believe in it and work hard,' Jessica said and those words will no doubt burn into the brains of our next generations of young Australians.

Welcome home Jessica, well sailed!!

Pink Lady moves up the harbour - Jessica Watson Homecoming © Dale Lorimer