The following eulogy for Rear Admiral Swan was delivered by Commander Stephen Moss CSC RAN (Ret’d) during the funeral service at the Naval Chapel Garden Island, Sydney on 22 January 2026. This tribute reflects on his post naval service career during which he became a leader in tall ship events and sail training for youth around the world.
I first met Admiral Swan in 2004. It was shortly after my appointment as the Executive Director of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme. He was keen for me to get involved in the Australian Sail Training Association (now known as Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand). It is an organisation to which I remain committed. It is from that perspective that I offer the following reflections.
Rear Admiral Rothesay Swan (better known as Roth or Ross in sail training circles), retired from the Royal Australian Navy in 1983. A short time later, he was appointed to the Australian Bicentennial Authority as the Director Tall Ships – Australia. This responsibility gave him a central role in organising international tall ships events around the celebration of two hundred years of European settlement in Australia.
At first, Ross was quietly sceptical about tall ship gatherings, but he quickly realised, that far from being mere commercial enterprises, tall ship operations provide wonderful opportunities for young people. While the obvious splendour of these large graceful vessels draws large crowds, he recognised that trainees learning to sail these tall ships develop personal attributes, such as resilience, teamwork, leadership and community engagement. These attributes are the essence of Sail Training, and evolve into skills for life.
As Director of Tall Ships, Ross’ immediate task was to develop a program and enlist participation in a series of tall ship events. Ross embraced the task to promote Australia’s Bicentennial Tall Ships Program with characteristic enthusiasm. He travelled to the United Kingdom, attended international conferences where he displayed vision and charm, and spoke with many tall ship operators to encourage their involvement, despite the challenge presented by the ‘tyranny of distance’ down under.
In parallel, through diplomatic channels, Ross engaged with foreign navies with large military tall ships.
It was a busy period. In 1985, moves were also afoot to establish a national sail training federation, while a little later, discussions on the international scene explored the possibility of establishing a sail training body for the Indo-Pacific region.
At about the same time, the Bicentennial Schooner Trust was established in the UK to plan, fund and oversee the construction of a sail training vessel as the country’s gift to Australia for her Bicentenary. Ross fully supported this initiative and became fully involved, setting a course that led to a life-long active interest in sail training, tall ships, tall ship races and festivals.
Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour was subsequently built in the UK and handed over as part of the Bicentennial celebrations. As Australia’s National Tall Ship, Young Endeavour remains a living, working legacy of the Bicentenary and a symbol of the maritime link between Australia and the UK.
The Australia Day celebrations on Sydney Harbour and the Parade of Sail remain the epitome of Australian maritime events. Military tall ships, large commercial tall ships and smaller sailing vessels from more than 40 countries participated. Throughout the planning and implementation phases, Ross was highly respected amongst tall ship captains for his inspiring leadership, personal integrity, and unwavering commitment to the making event the huge success it was.
The outcome of his efforts was spectacular. On Australia Day 1988, more than two million people lined the Sydney Harbour foreshore for the Tall Ships Parade of Sail. On the water, hundreds, if not thousands of spectator craft packed the Harbour. Who will ever forget the spectacular sight of dozens of tall ships making way down Sydney Harbour under full sail?
After producing the Bicentennial spectacle, Ross did not stop there. He went to play a major role in the development of sail training for young people, both in Australia and Internationally over more than two decades.
Ross maintained contact with Australian based tall ships. Little by little, he brought together a diverse range of tall ships from around Australia and New Zealand to form a sail training organisation. At the initial meetings of this nascent association, Ross gently persuaded ship operators, often comfortable in their own way of doing things, to share information and knowledge with other parties involved in sail training. This approach was successful and led to the establishment of the Australian Sail Training Association (AUSTA) in 1996. To this day, and as it is now known, Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand continues to represent the interests of its members successfully.
From his network of contacts, Ross maintained an active role in sail training internationally. His commitment to the development of international sail training was a significant influence in rallying the support needed to create Sail Training International in 2002. He became an inaugural trustee of this newly formed UK charity. The AUSTA then became an inaugural national member of Sail Training International: one of 25 other national member organisations.
Ross always sought ways to identify and develop opportunities for young people. Under his leadership, a tall ship exchange program was established in 2001. This program enables young Australians, who have sailed in Young Endeavour, to experience sail training in vessels belonging to the Association of Tall Ship Organisations in the UK. This ongoing exchange strengthens the cultural and sailing ties between Australia and Great Britain, continuing the spirit of the original bicentenary gift.
Ross remained a trustee and AUSTA’s representative to Sail Training International until 2007. He received its prestigious Janka Bielak Medal for his, and I quote:
‘Outstanding Contribution to International Friendship and Understanding’.
At the same time, Ross stepped down as President of AUSTA and later, in 2012, accepted an invitation to become Patron of the Australian Sail Training Association.
In the world of sail training, Ross’ notable legacy is widely known. He maintained an ongoing interest in all sail training activities. As a finale to the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Review in 2013, he took great delight in officially starting Sail Training International’s Regatta, a tall ship race from Sydney to Auckland. Seven International Tall Ships took part in the race across the Tasman. Ross’ enthusiasm, warm personality and keen sense of humour was as evident as ever. He made it a very special occasion.
His advocacy for Young Endeavour and the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme has been unmatched. His support for sail training strongly influenced the development of the Young Endeavour Youth Program. Thousands of young Australians have taken part. The program’s success underscored the need to replace Young Endeavour at the end of her operational life. After 38 years, this milestone will occur in the near future. Ross would have been thrilled to see the arrival of Young Endeavour II.
Other operator members of AUSTA such as the tall ships: Leeuwin, One & All, Windeward Bound, Lady Nelson, South Passage and The Spirit of New Zealand all deliver effective sail training programs for the benefit of our youth. Each embraces the sail training principles championed by Ross; the benefits to our young people and society remain extensive.
It would be hard to identify many other people who have contributed as much to sail training, both nationally and internationally as Ross did. Every one of us in the sail training community greatly valued his insights, perspectives and opinions. They were born out of vast experience in many spheres, along with his subtly commanding presence. Ross’ passing leaves us with the fondest and most respectful memories of him.
Vale Ross Swan.