Introduction

HESS takes place in December each year, and brings together 100 final year high school students all interested in pursuing engineering as a career. In past years students have come from all over NSW and the ACT, including regional and city centres.

Throughout the week-long program, students are introduced to five universities, including University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, University of Western Sydney, University of Technology Sydney, and University of Wollongong. The students are also taken behind the scenes of some major engineering companies and projects, to see real engineers at work in society.

HESS is a great experience, full of practical engineering activities, with lots of fun activities as well as evening social programs organised for students at various locations. The students board for the week at Sydney University Village.

Application forms are forwarded to Year 11 students at schools in April. Rotary Clubs receive the completed forms and arrange inter-view panels to select nominations to go on to the District HESS Selection Committee. Each district is given a quota of students to nominate for the Summer School acceptance.

Successful students gain the opportunity to experience day-to-day life as an engineer through access to tertiary institutions and contact with Australia’s leading engineering organisations.

Such opportunities might encompass biomedical. chemical, civil, environmental. electrical, computer or mechanical engineering. It is hoped that through such experiences, student decisions about future career paths will be made using informed judgments.

Attendance at and transport to the HESS involves a personal cost to the student, However, sponsoring Rotary clubs may wish to assist with the payment according to circumstances.

Closing date for application is August on a first come first served basis

Information from Engineers Australia website. Visit: www.engineersaustralia.org.au

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Roger Vince

Useful Web links

» Interact Handbook
» Interact Brochure
» Interact information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club
» Interact International
» RDU information

Interact Presentation .... by PP Roger Vince

» A Talk About Interact
» Powerpoint Presentation

Changeover and Charter Dinner
Granville Boys High School Interact Club
Tuesday 24th November

Introduction

Interact is a school, based “Junior Rotary Club” designed to interact with the local Rotary club. Founded in 1962 the Interact program has grown dramatically into a Rotary-sponsored international program for service minded young people between the ages of 14 and 18 or in the final four years of their secondary schooling. The term, Interact, is derived from “inter” for international, and “act” for action. Every Interact club must be sponsored and supervised by a Rotary club and must plan annual projects of service to its school and community.

Today there are more than 8,600 Interact clubs with nearly 200,000 members in 74 countries. “Interactors” develop skills in leadership and attain practical experience in conducting service projects, thereby learning the satisfaction that comes from serving others. A major goal of Interact is to provide opportunities for young people to create greater understanding and goodwill with youth throughout the world.

Clubs can be either community-based or attached to the local high school. The purpose of interact is to provide opportunities for young people to work together in a world fellowship dedicated to service and international understanding. Among its goals are the recognition and development of constructive leadership and personal integrity, the encouragement and practice of thoughtfulness and helpfulness to others, the recognition of the dignity and value of all occupations and the development of knowledge and understanding of community, national and world affairs.

An Interact club is organised, sponsored and supervised by a Rotary club and, where school based, approved and encouraged by school authorities. There is a Standard Interact Club Constitution prescribed by Rotary International which each club must adopt. Local By-Laws provide a limited flexibility.

For extension, liaison and co-ordination the district governor appoints a Rotary District Interact Chairman and supporting committee. It is their responsibility to plan and present any training for Interact club members.

Typical of the projects undertaken by Interact members include: painting of school property, church halls, scout/guide halls; making toys; minor repairs for senior citizens; helping sick and aged pensioners with lawn mowing and gardening; aid to flood and bushfire victims; assisting disadvantaged students; supporting primary reading programs; sending support packages off to Third World countries. Clubs fund raise through BBQ’s, dances, fashion parades, rallies, sporting activities, etc. Clubs meet not less than twice per month usually during lunch break or after school.

It is imperative that each sponsoring club provides an Interact chairman who liaises regularly with the club and ensures the attendance of a Rotarian at every meeting.

Mary McKillop College Wakeley
Wednesday (Wetherill Park)

Moorebank High School
Wednesday (Liverpool Greenway)

Meriden School
Tuesday, 12.25pm (10-12 Redmyre Road, Strathfield)

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Karalyn Brown

Useful links

» MUNA information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club
» MUNA link

Important Dates for MUNA

Saturday - Sunday 22nd-23rd May 2010 - MUNA 2010 - St Marys Senior High School

Introduction

MUNA was introduced to Rotary by the Lake Cargelligo Rotary Club in 1980. The concept was passed to Forbes Club in 1984. Since then MUNA has spread to all districts of Australia and to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and to other countries around the world.

MUNA simulates the workings of the United Nations Assembly by having teams of three senior students represent a particular U.N. country in debates on matters of world political and social concern

The Assembly is about building bridges of goodwill for world peace and understanding through a personal involvement in the acceptance of situations that reflect the opinion of “adopted” countries. Students are challenged by the opportunities to extend research, debating and public speaking skills by addressing a wide range of contemporary, world-focussed issues

Usually, the assembly is held over a weekend with delegates being billeted by the host Rotary club. A School or University auditorium (currently UWS at Kingswood) is used to recreate the U.N. Assembly Chamber with nameplates, flags and national costumes being encouraged. A social program is arranged for the Saturday evening. Proceedings begin with each team delivering a statement on the political structure and policy of the country represented. The Assembly then debates resolutions supplied to each team in advance. On Sunday, teams present their own resolutions for debate

The Assembly is chaired and judged by a panel of Rotarians with prizes being awarded for the best overall representation, the best contribution to a world peace solution and the best national costume. Rotary clubs, in conjunction with the local high school, sponsor teams to attend MUNA

There is a nomination fee, usually paid by the Rotary club. Transport to/from the venue may also become a club responsibility. MUNA is a low-cost activity that is easily organised and has highly beneficial results for participants, both students and Rotarians

Canberra Sunrise Rotary Club now runs an annual MUNA in Old Parliament House, Canberra, which attracts students nation-wide. The winning team from our district attends. In addition, there is an inter-district national MUNA Committee which encourages and assists all Australian Rotary clubs and their students in their MUNA endeavours

Applications Close .... Mid March

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Barrie Britten

Useful links

» NYSF information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club

Introduction

The National Youth Science Forum is a two-week experience for outstanding students commencing Year 12. Held in Canberra each January, candidates are nominated by a Rotary Club and selected by a District 9690 Committee.

THE National Youth Science Forum provides a unique experience for some 280 of Australia’s highest achieving Year 11 High school students who are interested in a career in science. For two weeks during the summer vacation, successful awardees come together in a stimulating environment enriched by the input of acknowledged experts in science and technology. They are challenged, enthused and explore scientific opportunities, identifying possible career paths for their own development.

The Forum is based in Canberra where students reside at tertiary institutions and have access to university and to industry and related research staff and facilities. Rotary clubs throughout Australia are responsible for the final selection of participants, interested students lodging application forms to Rotary clubs of their choice. More than half the total cost of the Forum is covered by University Government and Industry partners. Most sponsoring Rotary clubs choose either to subsidise or pay in full the student fee component.

The Forum is staffed from a base of volunteer academic staff, Rotarians and past awardees. The National Science Summer Science School Inc. Council, which body includes nominees of Rotary, determines policy matters Management and implementation are undertaken through a Secretariat under the leadership of the Director. In summary, the NYSF is a dynamic mix of seminars, debates, workshops, visits to laboratories, and supervised social activities. It encourages excellence, helps develop communication and interpersonal skills, teaches time management, and promotes the values of a balanced lifestyle. It is science oriented.

Closing date for nominations is end of April each year.

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Jack Eliot

Useful links

» PACE information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club

Introduction

PACE, an international goodwill program for young people, was conceived in District 9690. The program was devised to offer the advantages of an exchange program to young people who would have difficulty in nominating for the longer-term Youth Exchange Program. It has successfully conducted exchanges for students aged 15 to 17 between Australia and nations of the Pacific area since inception in 1983.

The exchange, as its name implies, is a cultural program aimed at developing understandings between nations and promoting goodwill for all concerned. After a rigorous selection process, successful applicants are required to attend briefing sessions to outline the objectives of the program and to become conversant with facets of the intercultural experience.

Students depart Australia late in December to return one month later to continue normal school studies. While they are overseas, many families welcome students from the exchange countries into their homes to share lifestyles and enjoy cultural differences. Exchange students are expected to provide the necessary airfare, insurance cover, pocket money as well as other miscellaneous items.

The District PACE Committee provides selection procedures, briefings, overseas contacts, allocates destinations and administers the program. For Pacific Island students, the exchange consists of a city stay, a mountain billeting and a visit to Australia’s capital city Canberra and surrounding areas. The District Committee conducts briefing and debriefing programs for this group as well.

PACE is an exciting program utilising social living skills, teaching diplomacy and encouraging racial harmony whilst offering an opportunity to develop mature responsibilities.

Applications Close .... August

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Alana Wilson

Useful links

» Rotaract Newsletter No 1
» Rotaract Newsletter No 2
» Rotaract Newsletter No 3

» Rotaract International
» Rotaract in Australia
» Rotaract Handbook
» Wikipedia definition

Introduction

After the success of Interact clubs for high school-age youth in the early 1960s, the Rotary International Board created Rotaract in 1968. The new organization was designed to promote responsible citizenship and leadership potential in clubs of young men and women, aged 18 to 30. The first Rotaract club was chartered by the Charlotte North Rotary Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Today, Rotaract continues to experience phenomenal growth. There are currently more than 8,000 Rotaract clubs in 155 countries and geographic areas, with an estimated membership of more than 186,000 Rotaractors. As the program continues to grow, Rotaractors repeatedly show that they are prepared for “Fellowship Through Service.”

Rotaract clubs emphasize the importance of individual responsibility as the basis of personal success and community involvement. Each club sponsors an annual project to promote high ethical standards in one’s business and professional life. Rotaract also provides opportunities leading to greater international understanding and goodwill. Rotaractors enjoy many social activities as well as programs to improve their community. A Rotaract club can exist only when continuously sponsored, guided and counselled by a Rotary club. The programs of Rotaract are built around the motto “Fellowship Through Service.”

Rotaract Directory

• Postal Address .... PO Box 392, Emu Plains 2750
• District meetings .... 3rd Wednesday each month
• Revolving meetings .... please contact a board member for meeting locations
• Time .... 7:00pm for 7:30pm

• District Rotaract Representative .... Alana Wilson
• Assistant District Rotaract Representative .... Nick Noel
• Immediate Past District Rotaract Representative .... David Mahoney
• District Secretary .... Ruth Erickson (Ken Bowron)
• District Treasurer .... Phil McLeod-Antoniolli (Tamara)

Gunargarang Rotaract Club

• Postal Address .... PO Box 392, Emu Plains 2750
• Club Meets .... 8pm
• 1st Monday of Month .... Leonay Sports Club .... Leonay
• 3rd Monday of Month .... Blaxland Tavern .... Great Western Highway, Blaxland

• President .... Amanda Woods (Michael)
• Vice President .... Tara Pullen
• Secretary .... Lana Kuipers
• Treasurer .... David Mahoney
• Club Service .... Heather Montefiore-King
• Community Service .... Natalie Keegel (Gregory Tolhurst)
• International Service .... Phil McLeod-Antoniolli (Tamara)

Burwood Rotaract Club

• Postal Address .... PO Box 93, Burwood 2134
• Club Meets .... 7.00pm .... 1st Thursday of every month .... Burwood RSL

• President .... Solomon David
• Vice President .... Liam James
• Secretary .... Sadaya Marathe
• Treasurer .... Ken Bowron (Ruth Erickson)
• Social Co-ordinator .... Aaron Sivasothy

District 9690 Chair 2010-11 .... Shann O'Connell

Useful links

» ROYA information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club

Important Dates for ROYA

Monday 19th April 2010 - Nominations Open for ROYA Candidates

Monday 28th July 2010 - Nominations Close for ROYA Candidates

Saturday 14th August 2010 - Judging Day for ROYA

Thursday 26th August 2010 - ROYA Presentation Day 2010

Introduction

Recognition of Youth Award is unique to District 9690. It was set up to mark the 75th anniversary year of Rotary International and has been conducted successfully since. It seeks to identify involved, concerned young people of all-round ability, already embarked upon community interests and conscious of opportunities to participate in a wide range of interest groups.

The contest is divided into two sections: Senior 17-19 years and Junior 13-16 years with winners being recognised with trophies, collars of office and certificates. The program recognises and encourages all nominated candidates to continue ‘their efforts of providing leadership within their own communities’. Judging is by personal interview conducted over a weekend and is based upon the information contained in the entry form. A formal presentation night is held for participants and families, where some candidates provide entertainment. Applications close in early August.

Press Release

The Rotary Clubs of Rotary District 9690 - embracing much of Sydney’s Western Suburbs and the Blue Mountains - held the annual Recognition of Youth Award (ROYA) function at Club Marconi, Bossley Park on Thursday 27th August. ROYA was set up in Rotary’s 75th year for the purpose of recognising young adults achievements in our local areas, and has now been running for 30 years.

The award categories are Junior (Years 9 & 10) and Senior (under 20 years of age). The awards are presented to the persons who demonstrate a conscientious participation within the community in areas beyond normal school and family life. The young people recognised are the community leaders of tomorrow; it is hoped the recognition they receive will encourage them to continue to serve their community. Twelve young people were nominated for this year’s awards.

Junior winner - Erica Vogels

The junior winner was Erica Vogels – a student at Catherine McAuley Westmead. Erica’s interests are not limited to one focus area. Her range of interests and personal commitment define her as an initiator and an innovator: she is an active member of the Parramatta Memorial Swimming Club, and is a dedicated volunteer in their Life Saving program giving up much of her leisure time to support junior members in achieving their goals in Life Saving. Erica’s ambition is to see a special gym dedicated for the use of teenagers in a time where child obesity is recognised as a major problem. As well as the obvious health benefits, a gym of this nature would provide an environment and popular hang-out where teenagers could involve themselves in community and healthy activities.

Senior winner - Timothy Hinder

The senior winner was Timothy Hinder, a student at Katoomba High School. Timothy Is an exemplary role model with excellent leadership skills. He is an outstanding young person in his district and is a great advocate for all forms of community service. Timothy joined the NSW Rural Fire Brigade as a Cadet Fire-fighter and was instrumental in establishing a permanent RFS Cadet Program at Katoomba High School. Timothy is the leader of the RFS Cadet Program, holding the rank of Cadet Deputy Captain, and has delivered a thorough, dependable, and well planned program in that role

Highly Commended Certificates awarded to

Jennine Abdul Khalik of Macarthur Girls High School

Amanda Drummond of Penrith High School

Stephanie Sayles of Cranebrook High School.

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Judy Kell

Useful links

» RYDA information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club

Introduction

The Program targets “awareness” and “attitudinal change” and seeks to encourage year 11 students, who are on the verge of driving or at least who are actively thinking about it, to take a more responsible attitude to motoring. The inclusion of passenger empowerment (and not driver strategies alone) is an example of the broad approach to the course content. Comprising six sessions, it is a one-day event held at a non-school site. It co-ordinates the efforts of local road safety experts, driving instructors, the Police, recovering victims of road crashes, drug & alcohol educators and financial services personnel in such a way that students are made aware of the privilege and responsibilities of owning and driving a motor vehicle.

Schools often find it difficult to assemble a community of experts to meet the schools’ road safety curriculum (Crossroads – Turn the Wheel etc). The Program enhances that requirement and forms part of the continuum of road safety education in our schools. RYDA is committed to maintaining the Program at the forefront of road safety development.

Students are cycled through 6 sessions in the day. Of the 6 topics, 5 of these are core topics as follows: Core topics:

• Stopping distances • Hazard perception • Safe celebrating & fatigue • You choose - the choice is yours • Police • Accidents do happen - Personal stories from road crash victims Non-Core topic: Financial and legal responsibilities on the road “ Young people aged 17-25 years represent 12% of the population yet account for some 27% of motorists killed or seriously injured in road crashes” Source: RTA 2003

The fact that our young people are over represented in the road crash statistics is a community problem. RYDA seeks to be part of a community solution by encouraging all organisations having a responsibility for, and/or an interest in, the safety of our youth, to partner with Rotary.

The RYDA Program is particularly cost effective. Rotary provides many hours of volunteer labour whilst encouraging participation from other sectors, primarily police and the business and philanthropic community.

It is crucial that State and Local Government continue to play their part in the provision of support including through access to the knowledge based resources of the State Government, for example, RTA, Health and the Police. The business community has already shown its wiliness to play its part in contributing to a community solution.

BOC Limited is RYDA’s principal sponsor with RYDA and BOC combining to offer the Program throughout Australia and New Zealand. On a local level, Bluescope has come forward to support the program for all schools in the Illawarra district. The State Government also provides a small amount of financial support but strong endorsement for the program. The key to continuity? With all sectors of society working together, the burden will not fall too heavily on any one sector. “Get involved – the person you save could be someone you love”

RYDA is an ongoing program operating at the International Regatta Centre and at the Homebush Tennis centre.

District 9690 Chair 2010-11 .... Alex Donaldson

RYLA Documentation for 2010-2011

» District - Press Release
» District - Important Dates
» District - Criteria for Participants
» District - Session Topics for Awardees
» District - Application Form

» RYLA information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club

Introduction

Each summer thousands of young people are selected to attend Rotary-sponsored leadership camps or seminars in the United States, Australia, Canada, India, France, Argentina, Korea and numerous other countries. In an informal out-of-doors atmosphere, 50 to 75 outstanding young men and/or women spend a week in a challenging program of discussions, inspirational addresses, leadership training and social activities designed to enhance personal development, leadership skills and good citizenship.

Rotary Youth Leadership Award program is a no-cost to participant leadership seminar for young adults aged between 18 and 25 years. It is conducted on a district basis annually with participants sponsored by clubs.

This residential program is aimed at encouraging and developing leadership and social skills so that awardees can, more effectively, contribute to their communities in a practical manner. Each Rotary club is invited to sponsor potential young leaders by providing the financial support for a seminar of one week’s duration and by transporting them to and from the venue.

Wherever possible, awardees should be invited to meet their sponsoring club members prior to the seminar’ and to report back after its conclusion. Maintaining contact with awardees is desirable as they can be a valuable resource for the development of ongoing youth programs and as potential Rotaract members.

On the Thursday evening of the seminar a “Summer Evening” is usually scheduled to provide a informal occasion to which Rotarians are invited as visitors. Normally this is a “finger food” gathering where awardees can relate experiences to sponsoring club members, followed by some light entertainment by the awardees.

It is the responsibility of the District RYLA Committee to present a stimulating, informative program featuring prominent successful business and professional people who have proven records of achievement. The week culminates in the awarding a RYLA Certificate of Achievement, which is usually presented back in the Rotary club environment.

The seminar offers the opportunity of disseminating the Rotary ideal of service to the community as well as creating an awareness of the range of programs available. The camp for district 9690 is currently held in January at Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood. Applications Close: October with Clubs, November with District.

Useful links

» RYPEN information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club
» RYPEN 2010 Photo gallery

Important Dates for RYPEN

Friday - Sunday 14th - 16th May 2010 - RYPEN 2010 - Springwood

Introduction

RYPEN, under the sub-title of The Cultivation of Youth, is an Australian designed project for young people between the ages of 14 and 17. RYPEN took its rise from the fact that there was little recognition for decent, hard-working young people and sets out to broaden horizons and lift aspirations in a supervised residential weekend seminar.

The stated aim is to communicate to young people a series of ideas, problems and social experiences which will assist them in forming their own values and moral standards and broaden their horizons culturally, socially and academically.

Nominations for the seminar result from an approach made by Rotary clubs to the local high schools. They are directed to the district RYPEN chairman for selection and further communication. Where numbers become excessive for one seminar, it may be possible to conduct a further course later in the year.

The cost for the weekend is usually funded by the sponsoring Rotary club with assistance in transport where necessary, also being offered. The district RYPEN committee is responsible for the presentation of the weekend seminar.

A program of thought provoking activities, informative speakers, social situations and personal challenges are offered under the supervision of counsellors and visiting Rotarians.

Parents and Rotary club members are invited to attend the formal session and lunch on Sunday. Rypennians, as with other youth program nominees, should be encouraged to address their sponsoring Rotary club on their return.

Applications Close .... Mid April and Mid August.

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Cheryl Kitto

Useful links

» Science Schools Foundation - Welcome to The Science Experience
» Science Experience information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club

Introduction

The Science Experience offers a three-day hands-on science experience for current Year 9 students entering Year 10 next year.

The Science Experience encourages students entering Year 10 of secondary education to consider science and technology as an interesting and worthwhile career choice.

Some 3.000 places are available at three-day seminars in more than 30 universities and technical institutes throughout Australia each year, usually during January. A guarantee of a specific number of places is offered to each Rotary club.

The seminars are non-residential, but accommodation for out-of-town students can be organised through the participating Rotary clubs. Seminars are comprised of three components: short lectures, presentations, hands-on practice laboratory sessions and visits to scientific institutions, research establishments and industry.

Useful links

» STEP information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club

Introduction

STEP is NOT intended to substitute for our traditional 12 month Youth Exchange Program. We hope to combine with YEP students during some of their training, since the quality of students from District 9690, is respected around the Rotary Exchange world. We also intend applying the same condition of exchange to both STEP out and in bound students to maintain our reputation.

What is STEP and how does it run?

• As the name suggests it is a short term exchange of approximately 8 to 10 weeks for students aged from 15 to 18
• We intend offering it as an alternative to “Schoolies” to both year 10 and 12 students. Schoolies has, over recent years, become a time of concern to both parents and mature students. This being the case we feel that to offer a similarly priced, overseas cultural/holiday trip, supervised by Rotary will be attractive to both parents and students alike
• Another attraction of STEP is that interested students (ex Yr 12) can complete the exchange and get back to Australia in time to take up University places earned at HSC examination time. Many Universities are not allowing students to defer their studies for 12 months, a situation which puts real pressure on them accepting the traditional YEP offering
• With regard to 3 above, we intend timing the exchange for 9690 students to depart late November/early December, returning in time to start University courses in February / March. Time will be flexible but will not exceed 90 days.(to comply with visa requirements)
• Airfares will be negotiated on a group basis with a travel agent who submits the best price or with a particular airline offering the best deal. It is NOT anticipated that a chaperone be available to the group in the early stages of the program
• Insurance will be carried by Rotary Insurance not a special contract as with YEP
• Visas will be ordinary tourist not student Visas so the exchange student will not be required to attend school nor will inbounds need AASES forms
• Inbound students will be invited here when the YEP students go on their inland Australia trip. This will bolster numbers for YEP and ensure STEP students have a good cultural excursion in Australia
• A prerequisite for parents of outbound STEP students will be a commitment to hosting an inbound student
• Costs to sponsoring Rotary clubs will depend on each club. Meals costs, training weekend, “uniform”, name badges and incidentals are some of the costs often borne by clubs. Clubs will be asked to advise applicants of the level of support they will provide at club selection time
• Student selection procedures at club level are identical with YEP. District level selection will be by a panel and training will be for two days (Sat/Sun)
• There will be counsellors to monitor the exchange of each student as well as in the sponsoring district. At the training sessions the students will be made aware of the necessity to comply with ALL legitimate instructions by Rotarians or their nominees both at home and in their exchange country

Applications Close .... September each year

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... David Rayner

Useful links

» YEP information provided by Central Blue Mountains Rotary Club
» Rotary Youth Exchange In Australia
» Rotary International Youth Exchange Program
» Wikipedia definition

The most powerful force in the promotion of international understanding and peace is exposure to different cultures. The world becomes a smaller, friendlier place when we learn that all people — regardless of nationality — desire the same basic things: a safe, comfortable environment that allows for a rich and satisfying life for our children and ourselves.

Youth Exchange provides thousands of young people with the opportunity to meet people from other lands and to experience their cultures. This plants the seeds for a lifetime of international understanding.

Rotary Youth Exchange is one of Rotary’s most popular programs to promote international understanding and develop lifelong friendships. It began in 1927 with the Rotary Club of Nice, France. In 1939 an extensive Youth Exchange program was created between California and Latin America. Since then the program has expanded around the world. In recent years up to 7,000 young people have participated annually in Rotary-sponsored exchange programs.

The values of Youth Exchange are experienced not only by the high school-age students involved but also by the host families, sponsoring clubs, receiving high schools and the entire community.

Youth Exchange participants usually provide their fellow students in their host schools with excellent opportunities to learn local customs, languages, traditions and family life in another country.

Youth Exchange offers young people interesting opportunities and rich experiences to see another part of the world. Students usually spend a full academic year abroad, although our district also sponsors short- term exchanges (STEP Program) of several weeks at the end of the Australian school year.

Approximately 30 percent of Rotary Youth Exchange students are hosted or sent by the clubs in the United States and Canada. European countries account for about 45 percent, and 8 percent come from Australia and New Zealand. Asian clubs sponsor 5 percent, and 12 percent come from Latin American countries. Over 75 percent of all Rotary districts participate in Youth Exchange activities.

THE YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAM is an international project which enables young people between the ages of 15 and 19 years to travel to distant parts of the world and study for one year in an entirely different environment. The program is an extremely rewarding experience for all who participate whether they be student, club members, host families or district personnel.

The objective of the program is to further international goodwill and understanding by enabling students to study first hand the culture and accomplishments of people in lands other than their own.

There is an ambassadorial role implied in the exchange with students being expected to impart as much knowledge as they can of their own country.

Applicants, can be children of Rotarians as well as non-Rotarians, they are accepted by the sponsoring Rotary Club after Club interviews and Club introductions.

Nominations are then relayed to the district youth exchange committee for final selection. A thorough orientation and briefing program for students and their parents follows. Outbound students are responsible for the provision of round trip airfares, clothing, health insurance and incidental expenses. The host Rotary club accepts the responsibility of food and lodging with arrangements made for regular monthly living allowance and school requirements.

As this is an exchange program, Rotary clubs wishing to nominate students should be prepared to arrange reciprocal hosting. It is usual for hosting over the twelve-month period to be shared by several families (they can be non-Rotarian families) with the Rotary club offering support and guidance throughout. A Rotarian counsellor is appointed to co-ordinate activities as well as providing advisory and counselling support.

The district YEP committee provides an overall support structure to assist club exchanges. They initiate international contacts, select and brief outbound students, welcome and orientate inbound students, provide district counsellors to monitor the progress of both in and out bound participants, organise district functions for exchange students and are available for consultation by families and clubs alike.

In today’s society all persons who have contact with students or young people under the age of 18 are required to sign a declaration as to their suitability to work with students under the age of 18.

This will be organised through the local Rotary Club by the District Child Protection Officer. Those people who will need to have their particulars checked to ensure a proper Rotary Duty of Care are Rotarians, host parents and host siblings over the age of 18, district and club counsellors.

Volunteer host families

If your family is interested in hosting a Rotary Youth Exchange student, please contact your local Rotary club. Once you have made contact with your local Rotary club, they will then refer you to the district Youth Exchange chairperson, for the screening process.

To ensure the safety and well being of students, as well as the success of each exchange, host families are carefully screened. All host families are required to fill out an application, which will then be reviewed by a committee of Rotarians in your area. The district Youth Exchange chairperson will conduct an in-depth interview. During this interview, all family members are expected to be present. The interview helps the chairperson determine the enthusiasm and willingness of all family members to host a student.

Become a part of the ever-growing number of Rotarians who send thousands of young people each year to new and unusual places for the experience of a lifetime. Exposure to new cultures and ways of life can foster a better understanding between people from different lands. That understanding can be the foundation on which lasting peace and harmony can someday rest.

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Veronica Necyporuk

Introduction

The awards seek to recognise the achievements of students in vocational courses in years 11 and 12. Courses include Business Services, Construction, Information Technology, Metal and Engineering, Primary Industries, Retail, Tourism and Hospitality. Students doing these courses do some of their HSC subjects at TAFE and perform work experience in business places. These are the students who may not necessarily want, or indeed be able, to go to university but who also need their achievements to be recognised. The awards are much sort after for their CVs.

The awards cross into Vocational Service, Community Service as well as Youth Service. The classroom teachers and High School Principals judge the recipients based on their work placement assessments as well as classroom and examination results. A presentation night is held at one of the schools involved where the awards (certificate etc) are made and the hosting school’s hospitality students serve refreshments prior to the formalities.

Some schools also choose to provide entertainment by way of their music/dance/drama students. The District Governor and inspirational guest speakers who have achieved success in their chosen vocation speak to the assembled students.

The event is usually held in September each year.

District 9690 Chair 2009-10 .... Marilyn Mercer

Introduction

This program (Rotary Supporting Young Carers) evolved in 1997 after the viewing of a T.V. documentary on young children looking after sick and/or disabled parents or siblings, with little or no assistance. After a meeting with Carers N.S.W. the Rotary Club of Hawkesbury decided to raise money to provide holiday camps to give these children relief from their everyday lives, which includes feeding, bathing and medicating family members, subsequently having an impact on their emotional, social and noticeably, educational development.

These Camps are a fantastic opportunity for Young Carers to ‘connect’ with other young people who know what it’s like being a Young Carer (as well as knowing what it’s like being a young person in general). It is a place where Young Carers make friends with each other, hang out together, support each other and have heaps of fun!

All this is done in an environment that is ‘safe’ and caring. Lots of Young Carers also say that they get tips on how to deal with ‘stuff’ that comes up in life. Young Carers realise that when they come to Camp, they are not alone A help line has been developed as a follow up to these Camps, where carers can have discussions with qualified counsellors.

A number of camps are held each year for different age groups, including young children. Carers’ camps are conducted these days by Carers NSW, a non-government agency. However, Rotary Clubs wanting to sponsor a young child to a Young Carers’ Camp are encouraged to do so via the Rotary Club of Hawkesbury Young Carers’ Assistance Program.