Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation
An Australian nonprofit foundation that delivers sail-training and maritime adventure programs aboard STS Leeuwin II.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Fremantle, Western Australia, whose principal role is to operate and support the sail-training ship STS Leeuwin II. Established in 1986, the foundation uses maritime adventure and structured participation at sea to provide educational, personal-development and team-building experiences, particularly for young people and community groups. The foundation’s core activity is a program of sailing voyages along the Western Australian coast. These voyages generally range from three to ten days and place participants in an active crew environment rather than treating them solely as passengers. Participants take part in practical shipboard routines and sailing activities under the direction of the vessel’s professional and volunteer crew. The organization also offers shorter day experiences, typically lasting three to four hours, making the ship and its programs accessible to schools, families, community organizations and other groups that may not be able to commit to a multi-day voyage. STS Leeuwin II is central to the foundation’s identity and public presence. The vessel functions as both a working sail-training ship and a platform for experiential education. Through time at sea, participants are exposed to navigation, watchkeeping, teamwork, responsibility and the demands of living and working aboard a traditional sailing vessel. The foundation’s offering therefore sits between youth development, outdoor education, maritime training and tourism-oriented adventure experiences. The organization is funded through a combination of grants, corporate sponsorships and donations, alongside revenue associated with its programs and voyages. Its nonprofit structure means that philanthropic and institutional confidence are important to its ability to maintain the ship, employ staff, coordinate volunteers and deliver voyages. The foundation has also relied on a broad support network involving community members, volunteers and charitable funders. The organization experienced a major governance and financial disruption in 2023. Chief executive Carol Shannon was stood down in April of that year, and the circumstances of her departure were not publicly explained in the cited reference material. The change generated concerns among staff and volunteers, while the McCusker Charitable Foundation withdrew its support because of a loss of confidence in the organization’s direction. Annette Harwood subsequently became chief executive on 31 July 2023. In August 2023, the foundation entered administration, placing its future operations and governance under formal restructuring pressure. The foundation emerged from administration in March 2024 following a $3.5 million grant from the Minderoo Foundation and the establishment of a new board of directors. Because this funding was part of a time-specific restructuring and recovery process, it should not be interpreted as recurring revenue or as evidence of the foundation’s present financial position. In July 2024, Lawson Dixon was announced as the next chief executive, and he began in the role on 2 September 2024. Today, Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation remains associated with maritime education, youth development and coastal sailing experiences in Western Australia. Its brand proposition is built around access to a large sailing vessel, learning through participation and the social and personal benefits of working as part of a ship’s crew. The organization’s continuing profile depends on the operation of STS Leeuwin II, the confidence of funders and community partners, and its ability to sustain safe, accessible and financially viable voyage programs.
History
Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation was formed in 1986 in Western Australia to support sail training and maritime education through the operation of STS Leeuwin II. Based in Fremantle, the organization developed a nonprofit model centered on providing structured experiences at sea rather than conventional sightseeing alone. Its programs use the routines and shared responsibilities of a sailing vessel to encourage teamwork, self-confidence, practical learning and personal development. STS Leeuwin II became the foundation’s defining asset and public platform. The ship supports coastal training voyages that generally last from three to ten days, as well as shorter day trips of approximately three to four hours. The longer voyages are designed around active participation in shipboard life, with trainees joining the crew in sailing-related tasks and daily routines under supervision. Day programs provide a more accessible introduction to the vessel and its educational approach. The foundation has served young people as well as schools, community groups and other organized participants. The foundation’s operating model has depended on a mixture of program income, grants, corporate sponsorships and donations. This funding structure has made relationships with charitable foundations, corporate partners, volunteers and the broader Western Australian community significant to the organization’s continuity. Maintaining a large sailing vessel and delivering safe voyages require continuing expenditure on staffing, crew, maintenance, compliance and vessel operations, although detailed financial information is not provided in the cited reference material. A serious period of institutional uncertainty began in 2023. Chief executive Carol Shannon was stood down in April, without a public explanation identified in the reference material. The departure led to concerns among staff and volunteers. The McCusker Charitable Foundation subsequently withdrew its support, citing a loss of confidence in the organization’s direction. Annette Harwood replaced Shannon as chief executive on 31 July 2023, but the leadership change did not prevent the organization from entering administration in August of the same year. Administration placed the foundation’s future under formal review and created uncertainty around its governance, funding and capacity to continue operating. A recovery was achieved in March 2024, when the organization came out of administration after receiving a $3.5 million grant from the Minderoo Foundation and establishing a new board of directors. The grant was a specific rescue and stabilization measure; the available material does not establish the foundation’s broader financial performance or long-term funding position. In July 2024, Lawson Dixon was announced as the foundation’s next chief executive. He began on 2 September 2024, marking another leadership transition after the organization’s administration and restructuring. The foundation’s continuing mission remains connected to sail training and experiential learning aboard STS Leeuwin II, with its future dependent on operational sustainability, public and philanthropic support, effective governance and the continued delivery of safe coastal programs in Western Australia.
- 2024
Exited administration
[1]The organization emerged from administration in March after a $3.5 million Minderoo Foundation grant and the creation of a new board.
- 2024
Lawson Dixon commenced as chief executive
[1]Lawson Dixon began his role as chief executive on 2 September after being announced for the position in July.
- 2023
Chief executive stood down
[1]Carol Shannon was stood down as chief executive in April, prompting concerns among staff and volunteers.
- 2023
New chief executive appointed
[1]Annette Harwood replaced Carol Shannon as chief executive on 31 July.
- 2023
Administration commenced
[1]The foundation appointed administrators in August amid organizational and financial uncertainty.
- 1986
Foundation established
[1]Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation was formed in Western Australia to support sail training and maritime adventure programs.
Products and positioning
A nonprofit maritime-adventure and experiential-learning organization that uses sail training aboard STS Leeuwin II to develop teamwork, confidence, responsibility and practical skills.
Experiential education and maritime adventure
Multi-day sail-training voyages
Structured voyages aboard STS Leeuwin II along the Western Australian coast, generally lasting from three to ten days. Participants live and work within a supervised crew environment and take part in sailing activities, shipboard routines, teamwork and practical learning.
Sailing and educational experience
Day sailing experiences
Shorter trips aboard STS Leeuwin II, typically lasting three to four hours. These experiences offer an introductory form of the foundation’s maritime program for participants who cannot attend a multi-day voyage.
Youth and community development
School and community programs
Group-oriented sailing programs that use the shared demands of shipboard life to support teamwork, responsibility, confidence and experiential learning among students and community participants.
Brand decisions
2024
Post-administration recovery and governance resetStrategyBackground
The foundation required financial support and a governance restructuring process to leave administration and continue its maritime programs.
Action taken
The Minderoo Foundation provided a $3.5 million grant, and a new board of directors was established.
Aftermath
The organization came out of administration in March 2024 and continued under revised governance.
Grant. $3.5 million (March 2024 recovery from administration)
2023
Entry into administrationStrategyBackground
The foundation faced leadership uncertainty, staff and volunteer concerns, and the withdrawal of support from the McCusker Charitable Foundation before entering administration in August.
Action taken
The organization appointed administrators to oversee its affairs and address its organizational and financial difficulties.
Aftermath
The foundation exited administration in March 2024 after receiving a $3.5 million Minderoo Foundation grant and appointing a new board.
Sources2 sources
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