The Avoca Trust Murray School Ships are approved as 100% tax donation to "Education about the Murray River Environment".

Good news.

On 11th June, 2026 we received confirmation that the School ships can be registered as a school with SACE VETIS funding.

Use your PayID payment option to make an instant donation (any amount) from your online bank account.

• The Avoca PayID: capt.bouc@gmail.com

• Name: The Avoca Trust Fund

• Include your name, address, and email. We will send your 100% DGR receipt.

Address:- 2 Randell St, Mannum, South Australia 5238

Phone:- 0418 836 137 Email:- capt.bouc@gmail.com

We recognise the "wild teen" problems for busy working parents.

Families are welcome to our home port base, opposite the Mannum Information Centre, and to our school ships when in port. Families are also welcome to cruise their boat in a flotilla with our boats when on holidays.

• Resident Manager: Safe House Doorbell access at night, swag camping is supported.

• We promote a Community Members' Club to enhance interest in our young people and to raise funding for the project.

• Our Physical Presence: At the historic building opposite the Mannum Information Centre, near the Mannum Community College and Library, creates high visibility for the project and establishes a permanent headquarters.

• Operational Synergies: Proximity to the heritage vessel moorings when in port allows for a seamless transition between classroom meetings and practical shipboard training.

Community & Heritage Vessel Collaboration

• Volunteer Student Crewing: Avoca Students will be encouraged to gain invaluable experience by volunteering as crew or guides on the heritage vessels moored opposite. Our students can provide these vessels with enthusiastic labor while offering the students "real-world" maritime hours and mentorship from experienced river mariners.

• Mutual Support: Cooperation with community-based entities strengthens local backing, often a key requirement for securing government grants or regional development loans.

Private Club Meeting place and child "Safe House."

• Avoca School ship gathering place: This location is a stable environment for students to begin their 10-week program before their time spent on the river vessels. It is also a place to learn swag camping skills needed for the school ship's lifestyle.

• We welcome backpackers and riverboat people at our safe house, a sheltered place to meet for a yarn over a cuppa. The urn is always hot, and the kitchen is available to grab a bite. Some of our teens may also be there to join the yarn.

• As a charity, donations to the shared fridge, cupboard, and coin jar are expected.

• The same welcome to our school ships applies to respectable backpacker boat people. Welcome to our school ships when in port, or even when cruising; bring your swag, some grub, and contribute your work to help, especially if you have Commercial Boat operator qualifications. Check with the School Ship Master for permission to join the cruise and for expectations of appropriate Helper tasks and behaviour. Avoca Trust Helpers are all workers. All donated time is of great value.

It is necessary to clarify the funding arrangements in relation to the Tax Office rules for the Avoca Trust School ships and students at risk who are supported by the school ships.

The Avoca Trust Schoolship's "Gift purpose" is to "Support education and training about the Natural Environment of the Murray Darling Rivers Region."

The most effective way of satisfying this purpose is for participants in such education to be totally supported, living and learning, in and on the Environment of the Murray River.

School ship's income is from Gifts:- Avoca Trust DGR gifts are for the common good of "Education and training about the Murray River environment". Receipted as 100% DGR Donations for use in the Tax return.

Maintaining the school ship for participant residence, education, and safety of all persons onboard, maintaining the purpose, is a cost of the gift.

Families seeking a berth on the school ships for their child donate the cost of providing and continuing student life support, maintenance of the school ship berth, and teacher and staff supervision for berth users.

We are expecting normal State High school funding + student hostel funding will apply to the school ships program.

We will provide more details when all this is clarified during the school registration process.

The separation of Gifts and fees will be identified on the invoice and receipts.

Phone Capt. Bouc to talk about Donations and Fees 0418 836 137