On Friday, September 20, John Young celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends at Huon Regional Care, where he now resides.
His wife Ruth, along with two of their children Susan and Philip, (Stephen was unable to attend) and close friends Chris and Pip from the Living Boat Trust, gathered to mark this special occasion, joined by loyal companion Sarbi the dog and other friends and family members.
Born in England in 1934, John embarked on a life of adventure at just 10 days old, travelling to Sierra Leone with his missionary parents.
His journey through life took him across continents, from the Yorkshire moors to Africa, New Zealand, and eventually Australia.
Along the way, he held various jobs such as forester, postman, and boatbuilder, while pursuing an academic career.
John’s fascination with wooden boats, however, remained a constant throughout his life.
A lecturer at Adelaide University, John and Ruth’s lives took a serendipitous turn when they stumbled upon Franklin, Tasmania, in the late 1980s.
“John came over from Adelaide University where he was a lecturer in history,” Ruth shared.
“He retired from that, and we came here looking for something to do. It was all very boaty.”
This ‘boaty’ environment led to the establishment of the Shipwright’s Point School of Wooden Boat Building in 1995, where they taught students how to build and restore wooden vessels, preserving an art that was at risk of being lost.
“We didn’t want people to lose sight of boat building in the future,” Ruth said.
The couple leased Crown land to build what is now the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin, ensuring the survival of Tasmania’s rich maritime heritage.
Among their first students was Chris, who, along with Pip, later founded the Living Boat Trust, a testament to John and Ruth’s influence in shaping the next generation of wooden boatbuilders.
John’s contributions extend beyond the boatbuilding community.
He was instrumental in restoring the Palais Theatre in Franklin and played a significant role in building the 100-foot sail training ship, One and All, in South Australia.
His academic contributions include several books and numerous articles on maritime and environmental history, including Australia’s Pacific Frontier and Sustaining the Earth.
Now at 90, John Young remains a revered figure in both the maritime and academic communities, celebrated for his adventurous spirit, perseverance, and dedication to preserving traditional crafts.
His legacy lives on in the boats that grace Franklin’s waters and in the hearts of the many students he inspired.
