By NICOLE VALICEK
BRITISH tall ship the Lord Nelson will sail into Melbourne next month as the first arrival of the biggest fleet of tall ships to dock in Williamstown in 100 years.
Nine tall ships – including five international tall ships – will be in Williamstown from 6-14 September, most of them docking at Seaworks.
Inspirational paralympic sailor Michael McLean, who captured Australian hearts when he featured in the Sydney Paralympics, will be a special guest at the event.
After being struck down and paralysed in a work accident in 1981, Mr McLean recovered from a life threatening back injury and has courageously taken on the world of sailing.
Mr McLean will take part in a special At the Captain’s Table talk sponsored by WISE Employment at Seaworks on Monday 9 September.
Minister for Ports David Hodgett will welcome the tall ships into Williamstown on Saturday 7 September.
WISE Employment assists the most disadvantaged members of the community – including people with disability – find meaningful employment.
The talk is part of a week-long program of events as part of the Seaworks Maritime Festival.
Hobsons Bay Mayor Angela Altair said the festival, which will feature nine tall ships from Australia and across the globe, would be a rare spectacle and one worth seeing.
“The Melbourne International Tall Ship Festival will really be like stepping back in time to Williamstown’s earliest days when it was the original port for Victoria,” Cr Altair said.
Seaworks Foundation chairman Trevor Huggard said the special At the Captains Table talk would also feature a senior crew member of the Lord Nelson.
Mr Huggard said the Lord Nelson was a tall ship which gave people of all physical abilities an opportunity to sail together as equals.
“This special event will be of enormous interest, not only to physically disabled people, but to all with an interest in tall ships,” he said.
“The Lord Nelson has already taken on more than 10,000 sailors with a physical disability, of which half were wheelchair users.”
Mr McLean, who is confined to a wheelchair, is likely to inspire people with his story.
“I have a simple message that is about setting your mind to something and grabbing opportunities,” he said.
“I guess my message, being both a paraplegic and paralympic sailor, is that anything is possible when you set your mind to it.”
Mr McLean said it was “terrific” to have tall ships such as the Lord Nelson take on disabled passengers and crew.
“To have the Lord Nelson in Melbourne will be tremendous,” he said.
For information about and all ticketing for the Seaworks Maritime Festival visit www.seaworks.com.au.
