“I left that first meeting with a profound sense of purpose — to help in some small way to get the Leeuwin back in the water and back to doing what she was made to do.”
— Louise Byrne, Director, EHQ
Early in 2025, EHQ was still in its infancy. As a locally based business deeply committed to our community, I reached out to the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation — unaware of the incredible story I was about to hear.
What began as a coffee with CEO Lawson Dixon became a shared commitment to help an iconic Western Australian organisation rebuild, realign, and rise again.
For nearly 40 years, the STS Leeuwin II has been a floating classroom for leadership, courage, and teamwork.
The 55-metre, three-masted sailing ship was purpose-built in Fremantle in 1986 and has since taken more than 40,000 young Western Australians to sea.
Each voyage is more than an adventure — it’s a life-changing experience that builds confidence, community, and connection to the ocean. The Leeuwin has long been recognised as a state treasure, celebrated for its historical charm and its power to inspire.
2023 – Financial Crisis: Following leadership changes and funding pressures, the Foundation entered voluntary administration. A community-led rescue effort, supported by Minderoo Foundation, Fremantle Ports, and the WA Government, secured an emergency $3.5M lifeline and a new governance structure.
2024 – Collision at Fremantle Port: On the first day of the new CEO’s tenure, a 332-metre container ship struck the Leeuwin II while it was moored at Victoria Quay during a severe weather event. The collision dismasted the vessel and injured two crew members — a devastating blow just as recovery had begun.
2025 – A New Chapter: With repairs underway and a passionate team at the helm, Leeuwin was determined not just to rebuild the ship, but to redefine its future — one grounded in strong leadership, sustainability, and purpose.
After years of upheaval, the Foundation faced a pivotal moment. The Board and leadership team needed to:
EHQ’s role was to help bring structure, confidence, and a sense of human-centred clarity to this transformation.
We partnered with CEO Lawson Dixson, the leadership team, and the Board to co-create a strategy that was grounded in purpose and built for resilience.
Our approach included:
This wasn’t about producing a document that sits on a shelf — it was about creating a living, breathing strategy that everyone could connect to.
“EHQ helped us navigate an important period of change with clarity and confidence. The process was professional, collaborative, and human-centred — it’s given us the tools to make more strategic, informed decisions as a Board and leadership team.”
— Lawson Dixon, CEO, Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation
Services Delivered:
Supporting Leeuwin Ocean Adventure has been an extraordinary privilege. It reaffirmed EHQ’s purpose — to help purpose-driven organisations realign with their vision, empower their people, and bring clarity to the path ahead.
The Leeuwin II continues to inspire as a symbol of resilience and renewal — a reminder that with courageous leadership and a united community, any challenge can be overcome. We’re excited to continue building a long-term, meaningful partnership with Leeuwin Ocean Adventure and the remarkable individuals we’ve connected with along the way.
