YouthNews

Reach For the Stars - Rotary Diamond Creek (continued)

“I am going to tell my brother about going on exchange!” important to be curious, have full and ongoing conversations! Share what you love doing and find out if they are interested. Ask them what they love dong – we could all learn more and our lives may become richer. Ensure language is not a barrier!

I heard this comment while we were viewing Tamara’s Rotary Exchange blazer. All the girls loved all of the “bits and pieces” attached to Tamara’s blazer. Many questions were asked and the two other exchange students were offered extra bits to add to their blazers and added information about their own blazers.

The Youth Exchange is a cultural exchange that develops lifelong leadership skills, learning about adapting, accepting and personal growth, opportunities to learn a new language (and the slang), and culture, build lasting friendships with young people from around the world and becoming a global citizen.

From the birthday party of high school friends, Youth Exchange students and five Diamond Creek Rotarians – all supported the outcomes of Youth Exchange all in a few hours.

The lasting impression Pam is that there might be a generation of young women that will be the best versions of the last few generations for women, they will be wise, empowered, caring and future inspirational world leaders.

To quote Host Mum Pam –“I felt honoured and very privileged to experience this glimpse into a possible new World of Leadership and felt that Peace in our World can be truly possible!”

Linda Gidlund District Youth Chair

Pam Wood, Host Mum

Note: All videos and images edited to comply with Child Safe Standards exchanging phone number, social media tags and many new friends made that night.

Tamara with her two exchange student friends who were staying the night totally cleaned up the kitchen as best they could whilst they shared deeply about themselves and their lives. They felt safe to share personal stories, shared stories about their exchange experiences, both positive and not so, and were open to discussion to future solutions. It was an incredibly special moment for us both to be part of.

One notable lesson is that when asking a Youth Exchange student “What would you like to do during your exchange?” This is too broad a question because most of the exchange students only know a small part of our amazing multicultural nation. It is

Inaugural Rotary Youth Challenge Sailing Program

Invitation to Victorian District Clubs on the One & All

South Australia’s ship the One & All will be in Melbourne in May/June 2023 following her official selection by Rotary International to participate in the Melbourne World Convention.

There are two opportunities to sail aboard a tall ship-training vessel for young people:

· The first longer 7-day special Sailing Challenge will be voyaging around the rugged SA/Vic coastline when the One & All departs Adelaide on Friday 26th May 2023 bound for Melbourne

· The second special 7-day Sailing challenge will be voyaging back to Adelaide from Melbourne departing Sunday 4th June 2023

· Victorian and South Australian young people will be involved in both of these special voyages.

The expansion of the program into Victoria where a Youth Challenge Sail Committee has just been formed offers the opportunity to commence the program into Victoria.

How to participate? Firstly, explore the resources provided on the website and the video, see below. Secondly, have a conversation with your club and decide to be a financial sponsor and thirdly, seek a young person between 15 – 18 years of age to participate.

Website https://youthsailing.com.au/

For further information contact, Youth Challenge Sail Committee Members:

Linda Gidlund M 0418 173 279 lleegidlund@gmail.com

Malcolm Watt M 0439 158 274 watt.malc@gmail.com

Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) 2023

Dates: Friday, 31 March, Saturday, 1 April & Sunday, 2 April 2023

Venue: Kinglake Forest Adventures Camp

Application closing date - Friday, 17 March 2023

Contact your local secondary college now for students.

Financial obligation of $250.00 per student. Applications are available from the District Website – Youth Services - RYPEN or directly from the committee at watt.malc@gmail.com.

Transportation to and from venue is your club’s responsibilities.

Kinglake Forest Adventures Camp is situated at: 1419 Yea Road, Kinglake West.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this vital youth program.

Yours in Rotary Youth Service

Mal~

PP Malcolm S. Watt PHF District Chair