Rotary District 9690

New Generations (Youth) Documents

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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.

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
Carnarvon St Wakeley
(Wetherill Park)

Moorebank High School
Wednesday
Bangalow Ave Moorebank
(Liverpool Greenway)

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

» MUNA 2011 information

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

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.

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.

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.”

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.

Road Safety Education Limited (Rotary Clubs Fostering Youth Driver Awareness) is a not-for-profit company (limited by guarantee), that has developed a road safety education program delivered to the youth of our community through Rotary Clubs. The Program is directed towards our young people enlightening them about road safety and the traumas that can be encountered as they approach the period in their life when they start driving a car or ride as a passenger in a car driven by one of their peers.

Road Safety Education program mission

To provide first quality road safety information to youth

To help ensure that when young people commence driving they have had the best road safety education possible

PROFESSIONALISM

The Road Safety Education Program is developed by experts in the field of road safety and
education of young people and is:

• Kept up to date by professionals
• Presented by professionals

VOLUNTEERS

The delivery of the Road Safety Education Program is managed by Rotary Clubs. Rotary Clubs have many links with their communities in Australia and the Road Safety Education Program forms a part of its community service to Youth

As a community based volunteer organisation, Rotary Clubs are supported by many sectors of society including governments, local councils and the business and philanthropic community

Road Safety Education is supported by professional management whose responsibility it is to manage the Program under the direction of the Board of Directors of Road Safety Education. Road Safety Education is able to fund these paid officials from the support of its Founding Sponsor, BOC along with its business partners

THE PROGRAM

Road Safety Education focuses on attitude and awareness with the aim of helping young adults become better people on the road. The program highlights the privilege and responsibilities of owning and driving a motor vehicle and also illustrates their rights and responsibilities as passengers and pedestrians. It is a one-day event held at a non-school site which co-ordinates the efforts of local road safety experts, driving instructors, the Police, recovering survivors of road crashes, drug & alcohol educators and financial services personnel

The Road Safety Education Program is a road safety education program aimed at reducing death and injury amongst young people on Australian roads. The Program targets 16 to 17 year olds who are at the stage of their lives where they start to drive or ride in a vehicle driven by their peers

Road Safety Education is a community-based initiative of Rotary Clubs, partnering those organisations in our community that have a responsibility for, or interest in, road safety for youth. It has been developed in consultation with relevant Government Departments and is designed to complement and supplement the school curriculum and government road safety messages

PROGRAM DAY

Students are divided into 6 groups with approximately 25 people in each group and move through the 6 session program. Each session lasts for approximately 30 minutes and includes the following topics

Stopping Distances:

Students are shown the impact of differing speeds, reaction time and vehicle traction on the length of time that it takes to stop a vehicle. They are given the opportunity to travel in a vehicle, driven by a licensed driving instructor, as well as observing from the roadside. The importance of the condition of the vehicle is emphasised along with the impact of road conditions

Hazards, Distractions & Risk:

A high energy session aimed at familiarizing students with the most common crashes involving young people and how to prepare to avoid or minimize their impact. Students also identify distractions that they can control or remove in order to prepare them better for circumstances outside their control. This part of the session explores the role of mobile phones, passengers, music, etc. The session is presented with the aid of video footage and involves students taking part in several fun 'hazard perception' tests

Plan B - Alcohol, Drugs, Fatigue and Driving:

An interactive workshop focusing on the impact that alcohol, drugs and fatigue have on driving ability. Through small group work and student presentations, students identify planning strategies for travelling safely, even when their original plans go wrong and they need to implement “Plan B”

Police:

An open discussion with student’s local Police contact (usually the Liaison Officer attached to their school), this session gives students the opportunity to ask questions and hear about the role of Police in motor vehicle crashes, common offences and the penalties that come along with them

The themes for discussion are framed around a powerful film which is shown at the beginning of the session. The film tells the very real and raw story of a vibrant young woman taken too soon, as told by family and friends still learning to cope with the loss and make sense of her death. It is beautifully shot and presented. It is hard hitting and unashamedly emotional. There is no gore, no crash scenes, no blood, no mayhem – but the real consequences of road trauma – the stillness of death; the desperate pain of sorrow and the despair buried deep in loved ones hearts which causes young people attending RYDA to stop, reflect and to act

Crashes Do Happen:

Personal stories from road crash survivors:

A powerful presentation by a crash survivor affected by a brain injury as a result of a vehicle crash. The session demonstrates to students that car crashes can happen to anyone and that such crashes can leave permanent trauma for the survivor, their families and the community at large

My Wheels:

Being safe on the road involves more than just attitude. It also concerns the types of vehicle in which young people are travelling. In this session, the facilitator leads a group discussion helping students to identify what a safe car looks like, how to research their options before purchase and how to make sure that the car they are travelling is in good condition. The session covers such topics as ANCAP safety ratings, safety features such as ABS brakes and traction control, car maintenance and safety checks and insurance and registration

COST

Every effort is made to keep costs to a minimum, including securing financial support from sponsors and donations from Rotary

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.

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.

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.

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

Key Dates in the Inbound Youth Exchange Calendar

• 8_th and 9_th October - Overnight Hike in the Royal National Park. Contact is Jackie Blazak on 0421 206 690
• 22_nd October - Hawkesbury River Cruise - Contact Len Winter 9636 5753
• 13_th November - Surf Day at Manly Beach contact Shireen Ryan on 4729 4308
• 2_nd December - Jamberoo Action Park, Inbound and Outbound student day, Contact Shireen Ryan 4729 4308
• 25_th March - White water Rafting with Rotaract
• 18_th April to 9_th May - Australian Safari - Contact Shireen Ryan 47294308

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.

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.

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.