Kids on the coast

Young Australian of the year Jessica Watson’s world famous boat Ella’s Pink Lady will call Queensland home after the State and Federal Governments agreed to buy the yacht. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said Jessica’s story was an inspiration to people all over Australia and the world and that Ella’s Pink Lady would become a Queensland icon. “Sailing solo around the world at age 16 puts Jessica among the great Australian adventurers, and the pink lady will become a symbol of that Aussie free spirit here in Brisbane,” she said. Ella’s Pink Lady has been purchased jointly by the federal and state governments for $300,000 and will be housed at the Queensland Maritime Museum. Jessica Watson said she was pleased that both Governments had been able to keep Ella’s Pink Lady in Queensland. “I couldn’t think of a better home for her. Now all the public can get a chance to visit her and of course, I will be popping in regularly to check up on her,” she said.