I’ve just returned from Thailand to a full inbox and some exciting upcoming events. So I thought I’d share…

• PETS is this weekend in Parramatta
• Asia Pacific Social Media Campaign – starts on Sunday. Please promote amongst members , it’s very simple to get involved and lift our profile

• Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference (APRRC) and the Rotaract Preconvention were in Bangkok. See this video for a laugh. My report will follow.

• The 10^th Anniversary of APRRC will be held in Taiwan in 2013

• Sydney City Rotaract Trivia 23^rd may
• Club Officer Training 27^th May – critical for all Rotaract leaders and board members to attend
• Mental Health Campaign  ongoing
• Como Jannali Rotaract Trivia 2^nd June
• UOW Rotaract 10^th Anniversary Changeover Dinner 22^nd June
• LNS Rotaract Ski Trip July 13-15
• Rotaract UNSW Mental Health First Aid Course 20^th July
• The Australian Rotaract Conference will be held in the nations capital 20-21 October

If that’s not enough, we’ve got many people taking on ‘Live Below the Line’; we donated books and stationary to Anjali House when I was in Cambodia; UOW held a successful ‘Clothes Swap’ event last week; we had Rotaractors volunteering at RYPEN over the weekend; and Illawarra are flying with their Urban Grown project.

There is always lots happening in Rotaract, so please join the Rotaract 9750 Facebook group and like the Rotaract Australia page. We’re always looking for news and events for the website too, so send in your articles.

Cheers

DRR Jake Weragoda

 The purpose of the night was to hear from Rotary District Governor Phil Whyte about the successes that we are having in 9750 and plans for the future. Phil is very passionate about new generations and Rotaract, and loves hearing about our achievements as well. It was also about meeting Rotaractors from clubs other than your own, and to make some new friends.

During the evening, we held a hysterical debate with the topic “Gen Y could prosper without Facebook and email”. The debate was fiercely contested – we saw Rotaractors from Sydney City, University of Sydney and University of New South Wales pitted against each other. The lively debate included pacing and friendly fire from Brendan Lim, eloquent comments from Zac Thompson, and some hot remarks from adjudicator Drew Sturgiss. Ironically, the affirmative team went down to the well oiled machine that was the negative team, who ironically organised their debate over Facebook.

All in all it was a great night

Gus McBride – Sydney City Rotaract

The event has been running for three years and would not have come to fruition were it not for the hard work of Como Jannali Rotaract and Rotary and their dedication to this worthwhile event.

The day provided an opportunity for the public to meet members of the police, fire brigade, ambulance and Surf Lifesaving NSW to name a few; view demonstrations of the bomb robot, police dogs, helicopter winch rescue; and participate in hands on activities. This event aims to raise awareness about the vital organisations that keep us safe be it on land, sea or in the air within our local community and the base relies support from such events as the open day, to continue operation.

The purpose of this helicopter service is to save lives. Since its inception in 1973, it has been involved in more than 21,000 missions, which include rescue missions and patient transfers.

On the day, Como Jannali Rotaract Club President Vanessa Fyfe co-ordinated the fundraising BBQ and the many volunteers sold 100’s of sausage sizzles and drinks. There were supporters from Como Jannali Rotaract, Sydney City Rotaract and Como Jannali Rotary.

Thousands of people rode the free shuttle buses which were donated by State Transit and drivers gave their time free of charge.  Members of the general public gave their gold coin donation to the volunteers at the gates, bought raffle tickets, hot cross buns, sausage sizzles, drinks, temporary tattoos which amounted to $7000 raised.

Vanessa Fyfe, an original member of the planning committee, was given the honour of riding in the Helicopter during the repositioning of the aircraft. “The view of Bondi Beach was amazing”, she said.

This is a wonderful community event which provides much needed funds so that the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service can continue to operate.

Co-authored by Teneal Morley & Vanessa Fyfe

Check out the photo gallery from the evening here.

Rotaract clubs around Sydney united to support this cause by hosting the cruise on Sydney Harbour; they raised over $6,600 towards polio eradication efforts.

“This is a fantastic achievement and shows what a great collaboration we have between the three Rotaract Districts in Sydney”, said District Rotaract Representative, Jake Weragoda.

Founded by Rotary International, Rotaract is a worldwide youth network for 18-30 year olds. Rotaractors, like Rotarians, support their local and international communities in a variety of ways, including joining in Rotary’s fight against polio.

For nearly three decades, Rotary and its global partners have been working tirelessly towards a polio free world. Not long ago, the world was paralysed by the fear of polio. More than 125 countries were polio endemic, and thousands of families watched in anguish as the disease killed or crippled 1,000 people a day, most of them children.

To date, more than two billion children have received the oral polio vaccine; five million children who were destined to be polio victims are walking and enjoying a better life today because of global immunisation.

The incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99 percent worldwide; from approximately 350,000 infections annually to fewer than 650 cases reported in 2011. This being said, the world is not yet polio free. There are still four countries that remain endemic – Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The poliovirus knows no borders; it can spread from an endemic country into polio-free areas. As long as one case of polio remains in the world, no child is safe from this deadly disease.

The greatest challenge in the battle against polio today is financial. Despite the enormous resources already committed, further funding is needed to reach the children in the four remaining polio-endemic countries.

Rotary clubs around the world have contributed nearly US$800 million to keep alive the dream of a polio-free world and will continue to raise funds until polio is defeated once and for all.

This event has demonstrated that generation Y’s CAN and DO make a positive contribution to their local and international community. “I’m constantly amazed at how willing and able Sydney’s youth are at promoting and supporting worthy causes”, said International Service Director, Laura D’Alessandri, “and they know how to have a good time whilst doing it! Who said community service has to be boring?”

Check out the photo gallery from the evening here.

Following a tour of Hong Kong University, during which the Rotaract Club members told Sun Yat-Sen ghost stories, I attended a club meeting. The club members discussed upcoming volunteer opportunities, promotional materials and international service.

I then joined all board members in attending the Joint President’s Meeting of the District of Hong Kong, Macao and Mongolia. At this meeting, clubs introduced their new board members for 2012, and discussions included the recent district service project, APRRC, and membership benefits. I was also invited to give a presentation on Sydney City Rotaract, and our recent and upcoming events, community service, international service and professional development programs.

The Rotaract Club of the University of Hong Kong is planning an international service trip to Australia in January 2013, and we look forward to welcoming them to Sydney. My particular thanks to HKUSU President Rothia Chao, International Service Directors Vivian Wong and Yoyo Ho Sin Yiu, Club Service Director Ringo Chan, Professional Development Director Lewis Mok, Treasurer Victor Cheung, and DRR Edwina Chung for inviting me to their meetings and giving me the opportunity to share and learn about Rotaract around the world.

Natasha Eves Community Service Director, Sydney City Rotaract

My travel to Hong Kong was primarily for business, and I took the opportunity to meet with HKUSU while there. 

While most people have heard of Ronald McDonald House’s charitable works, it is only when you enter one that you truly feel the warmth the House provide to the families.

Last Friday night, Rotaract UNSW volunteered to cook a barbecue dinner for families not only exhausted from their 100km+ trip, but also the mental stress of thinking about their child in hospital. While we had heaps of fun working the barbecue and preparing the salads, the best part was getting to know each family over the scrumptious meal.

It was a fantastically rewarding experience as we could see that our efforts were appreciated, and we were able to give back to the community just as countless others have helped us become who we are today. We also bonded with other members of Rotaract through cooking and cleaning up, which was rather effortless with 10 passionate people in the kitchen.

After an experience like this, any doubts about joining Rotaract you have will be extinguished! I know I speak for other members when I say that we look forward to the next event!

Rotaract UNSW’s Ronald McDonald House events happen throughout the year. If you are interested in applying for the next one, email rmh@rotaractunsw.org

On February 4^th 2012, the members of the Rotaract Club of the Illawarra celebrated the chartering of their club with an aviation themed dinner held in the awe-inspiring ambience of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) museum in Albion Park.  The event was attended by 60 guests including members from both sponsoring Rotary Clubs (The Rotary Club of Wollongong and The Rotary Club of Illawarra Sunrise) as well as numerous Rotaractors and Rotarians from across District 9750.

Guests were checked in at the door by ‘Illawarra Rotaract Club Airline’ stewards before being presented with their own personalised boarding passes. The night began with a guided tour of the museum, allowing guests to explore the grand aircraft at HARS, including the PBY Catalina, Ex-RAF Canberra bombers and the jewel of the collection, the stunning Lockheed Super Constellation.This was followed by a beautiful dinner and the chartering ceremony.

During the chartering ceremony, District Governor Phillip Whyte urged members of the fledgling Rotaract club; the eighth in District 9750, to seek the support of Rotary where required and to use their creativity to bring Rotary to today’s youth. These ideas were echoed by the Chartering President of the Rotaract Club of the Illawarra, Siddharth Yadwad.

“Our goal is not to motivate and inspire those already within Rotary and Rotaract because that is simply not necessary. What we need to do, and the challenge I put to the Rotarians and Rotaractors here tonight, is to draw the wider community into what we do and to show them what it means to act beyond oneself.”

The new Rotaract club, which has formed over the course of a year, has already demonstrated its’ enthusiasm and drive to make a difference, with a portfolio of projects ranging from organising sports tournaments for underprivileged youth to building community gardens. Joe Baez, MC for the charter night and a chartering member of the club, captured the excitement of the club perfectly; “We’ve only just started our journey, but we’re ready for the road ahead and we’re looking forward to what lies around the next corner”.

Wollongong’s flash floods come and go quickly, and on this occasion nobody was hurt and little property was damaged. Representatives of eleven Rotaract Clubs from three states and the ACT began arriving in the city the following night for an informal Welcome event hosted by the University of Wollongong Rotaract Club.

The Games were organised by the Rotaract Club of the Southern Highlands (District 9710) and the Rotaract Club of the University of Wollongong (District 9750). They were held as a way of bringing Rotaractors together to demonstrate the friendship of Rotaract, and allow networking opportunities in a more relaxed environment. The winner would be awarded a $500 donation to Rotary’s Polio Plus campaign, plus a perennial trophy.

On Saturday morning, Games participants convened at the University of Wollongong for a series of indoor events instead. They included drama games, silent ball, building towers from straws and marshmellows, and YouTube trivia. A trivia event was conducted on Saturday evening. In addition to Games participants, other Rotaractors and Rotarians from the Wollongong area joined in. The Wollongong City Surf Lifesaving club generously provided free staff for the night.

On Sunday morning, participants were invited to the participate in the Wollongong Challenge, which included a series of five activities and fifteen questions to answer about the city. They were given maps and set loose, with instructions to arrive at the University of Wollongong by midday. The Rotary Club of Corrimal provided volunteers to supervise the activities, and also cooked a barbecue lunch each day.

Each Games event had up to 50 competition points available, with the overall winner being decided at the conclusion by the team with the most points. The Rotaract Club of Lower North Shore was victorious. It is hoped another district and club will take up the challenge of hosting the Games in 2013.

Travis Holland – Rotaract Games organiser

The event was a success, engaging eight competing teams, raising over four thousand dollars for Wollongong Hospital, providing a fun spectacle for a large proportion of the Australia Day crowd and gaining significant local and state wide media coverage.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said the event was always entertaining and encouraged local organisations to consider entering a team.

“The Bed Run is one of the many events on the day. It’s a great team bonding exercise and also a good way to raise some money for WollongongHospital”

Illawarra Rotaract Club president, Siddharth Yadwad said the funds from this year’s event would be directed to the Patient Recovery Unit at the Hospital.

“We’re glad we could help out with this very worthy cause in a way that was so fun and engaging for the wider community. We’ve already started working hard to ensure that next year’s event is bigger and better!”

Identify your passions before you pursue them. That’s one of the messages that I not only took away, but learned how to implement at the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) camp. Being an ambitious young person, as many Rotaractors are, attracts the responsibility to work hard towards achieving your goals. To turn your passion into success you need to challenge yourself – and challenges were plentiful at RYLA! Going to a remote location with a group of strangers and being told very little about the events of the week was a little outside of the comfort zone of most participants. The experiences however, pushed even further us to discover our motivations and capabilities.

The experience is different for every individual, and many people came out with a clearer sense of direction. Whether a person is more comfortable with physical or mental, individual or interpersonal experiences, every person is challenged in their own way. Achieving goals involves more than just passion, it requires action; and it requires more than just focus on tasks, it requires interpersonal interaction, and RYLA taught me how to find the right balance. If this description seems vague, prepare yourself for elusive discussions with past RYLArians, for the surprise factor is a major part of the experience.

Many bonds were formed, many tears were shed and many reunions have already been planned, making for an unforgettable RYLA experience. We all dream big. It’s about time we challenge ourselves and realise our goals.

RYLA is a week-long residential program held annually in January. It is generously sponsored by local Rotary clubs as part of Rotary’s commitment to youth development. For more information about how you could attend RYLA email development@rotaractunsw.org

By Palak Thaker

Via Rotaract UNSW