Sailors from the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Newcastle attempted to set a world record on Sydney Harbour on 7 November, bringing attention to an important cause.
More than two hundred white paper boats were launched from Garden Island in a race to raise awareness of White Ribbon – Australia’s only national, male-led campaign to end violence against women.
Race organiser, Lieutenant Commander Damon Craig, is the Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer on board Newcastle. Lieutenant Commander Craig is also one of Navy’s 80 White Ribbon Ambassadors.
The current record for a paper boat race is 250, and we think we can do better than that!
Navy has been a long-time supporter of the White Ribbon initiative. In June this year, Navy became one of the first accredited White Ribbon Workplaces and maintains a constant commitment to the intent of the White Ribbon Organisation.
Commanding Officer of HMAS Newcastle, Commander Dominic MacNamara, said his crew was very keen to get behind the White Ribbon cause.
The eco-friendly paper boats have been recovered from the harbour and the race outcome is now being scrutinised by officials from the Guinness Book of Records to confirm whether the record has been broken.
Further White Ribbon activities will be held across the Australian Defence Force to promote the campaign, culminating in White Ribbon Day on 25 November.
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Press release, Image: Australian Navy