Alma Doepel is a three masted topsail schooner and is of exceptional historical value in Australia's maritime history. She is one of the oldest wooden hull square-riggers surviving with more than a hundred years of history behind her. She spent more than 10 years during the late 1990's running a commercially viable youth sail training operation within Port Philip. The Alma Sail Training program has been used successfully to provide a stimulating educational and character-building experience in an environment that is usually completely new to the participants. It is a challenge that at first appears insurmountable and completely foreign but then is soon overcome with the help of competent teachers and mentors. Overcoming challenges is exactly what youth need in their journey to becoming well adjusted, functioning members of mainstream society. Alma Doepel is presently based in Melbourne's Docklands at Shed two on North Wharf Road and is undergoing a major refit to regain commercial survey certification to allow resumption of her youth sail training activities. Alma Doepel brings a compelling attraction to Docklands. During restoration and once sailing again Alma will be not only visually interesting but a tourist destination, an educational resource, historical link and a centre of activity. Volunteers are needed to not only assist with the ship's restoration but also fund raising. For further details call Peter Harris, Restoration Director of Alma Doepel.
