Kassian Sikora’s story featured in News Of The Area recently, this being his successful return from his inspirational tall-ship adventure, carrying priceless life experiences, and solidified values in teamwork, work ethic and mateship.

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By unapologetically being who he is, Kassian prepared for the adventure by poring over the crew’s training manual, memorising concepts like watches, lines, and rigging, and then diving headfirst into the experience, never once shirking nor shying from a job aboard.

“My husband and I had not a single worry about his capability to take on this adventure, with the exception of me worrying about seasickness,” Kassian’s mother, Renae, told NOTA.

“After the first time, you kinda get used to it, just time it and get on with it,” Kassian shrugged off the discomfort.

Kassian’s family have spent the time since his triumphant return from Brisbane being exuberantly regaled with unforgettable stories of dolphins off the bow, and giant jellyfish rising from the depths, sounding like a true sailor of the seas.

Of course, the importance of the various aspects of running a ship at sea were paramount in Kassian’s experience, as he learnt the value of the chart room, reading the weather, and the countless types of knots and measurements, not to mention the utter necessity of a cleanly scrubbed deck.

The overall experience was tempered by perspective gained from feeling the world move at a different pace, hearing the ship move through the waves.

“His favourite job of all was being at the helm, singing sea shanties, no less!” Renae noted.

“We all knew he was quietly nervous when he set sail from Sydney, but the boy who returned, albeit tired, smelly, was another kid altogether.”

Hoping this won’t be a one-off experience, Kassian has declared his sincere desire to volunteer in the near future.

By Thomas O’KEEFE