Category Archives: Youth

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading on 9 March 2019!

1 in 3 Australians have literacy skills low enough to make them vulnerable to unemployment and social exclusion. Developing a love of reading in our kids can change that! We are partnering with Wheatbelt communities to help create a brighter future for country kids, but we need your support

About our Fundraiser

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading is a fun, annual event that brings together people of all ages to splash in the Bruce Rock Swimming Pool for a good cause. Funds raised support early childhood reading programs. Participating schools include Bruce Rock, Quairading and Narembeen. New schools are welcome to inquire via Swim Team Leader Jeff Anderson 0429 110 226. 

Participants can swim as much or as little as they like as it’s about getting wet and having a go – although some of the Wheatbelt young champions can’t resist a training opportunity!

https://vimeo.com/302203245

Join us at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre

Saturday 9th March

Swim starts 1:30pm

Registration from 1pm

 

Free Entry

Sausage Sizzle $5

Note all children and young people under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with authority to sign participation form.

Young people who participate in the Swim and fundraise for the reading programs that benefit early childhood students are eligible for selection for the Rotary personal and leadership program for 14-17 year olds (known as “RYPEN”) https://rotary9465.org.au/sitepage/new-generations/rotary-youth-program-of-enrichment

or the Rotary development program for 18- 26 year olds (RYLA) https://rotary9465.org.au/sitepage/new-generations/rotary-youth-leadership-awards-(ryla)

Swimmers:

Download a manual sponsorship form:

Set up an online fundraising page: https://www.chuffed.org/project/ewarotary-wheatbelt-love-reading-2019/signup

Supporters:

Sponsor an individual swimmer via their sponsorship form or make a general donation via our secure online fundraising page: https://www.chuffed.org/project/ewarotary-wheatbelt-love-reading-2019

About our Project:

Our online and offline fundraising supports reading programs in Wheatbelt schools. We partner with local schools and libraries to reward kids who meet reading goals with book vouchers. We also spread the message that reading, and storytelling is fun and important for ensuring the best outcomes in life. Schools who participate in the swim can earn bonus funds from Rotary on top of what they raise themselves.

We also run other online competitions during the year to reach the wider Wheatbelt and distribute grant funds from the Rotary Foundation to new participants. Last year, our Love of Reading Teacher Champion Award attracted video entries from schools and the champion teacher was Lauren Van Dongen from Narembeen. 

https://vimeo.com/302203245

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading on 25 March 2018

swimmers completing laps

2017 swimmers in action!

We are thrilled that three Wheatbelt schools will again participate in the Rotary Swim for Reading at Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on 25 March 2018. Quairading and Narembeen District High Schools will join Bruce Rock DHS at the swim for the second year running.

This year the Swim has been renamed as the “Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading” to help clarify the main purpose of the event. The Swim supports our Rotary Love of Reading program, which encourages young Wheatbelt children to read and be read to more, because they’ll develop better literacy skills that way.

The Swim will start at 10.30am on 25 March, with registration from 10am.

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading is a fundraising and community event for participating Wheatbelt schools. E-WA will provide reading grants to Narembeen and Quairading to top up swim fundraising by those schools. E-WA will continue to support Bruce Rock DHS by way of the successful Reading Rabbits and Reading for Life reading incentive programs, funds for which are raised via the annual Swim event. All three school communities will also have access to a number of RYPEN personal development programs (see below).

The Swim is a non-competitive event held to encourage participation by students and the community. The primary fundraising for the event is by way of sponsorship of swimmers.

Registration for the Swim on 25 March is from 10am, with swimming commencing at 10.30am. Entry will be FREE.

Incentives for Participants

Incentive #1 – Rotary Community Service Certificates

We will award Rotary Community Certificates to those who fund raise and participate in the Swim. These certificates will confirm that the recipient has supported their community and one of the participating schools by fundraising and taking part in the Swim. Community certificates are useful in many ways, including work experience and job applications.

Incentive #2– Places on RYPEN Rotary Personal Development & Leadership Programs for Young People Aged 14-17

The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) is a popular leadership and personal development program for young people aged 14-17. As in 2017, we will book a number of places on the RYPEN program for those who excel in their efforts on behalf of the 2018 Swim.  RYPEN places are in demand because the program is enjoyable, challenging and helps participants achieve their potential.

The Swim RYPEN pack, which includes RYPEN information and an application form, can be downloaded here.

Support Your School – Sponsor a Swimmer

You can support reading program development at your preferred District High School by sponsoring a participating swimmer from that school’s community in the Swim on 25 March 2017. Download sponsorship forms via these links:

Sponsorship Form for Bruce Rock DHS swimmers
Sponsorship form for Narembeen DHS swimmers
Sponsorship form for Quairading DHS swimmers

You’re welcome to come and cheer the swimmers on, too. Spectator entry to the Swim will be FREE.

We’ll have a sausage sizzle to deal with those hunger pangs, too. Only $5 per serve!

Want to Find Out More?

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact:

Jeff Anderson – Swim Coordinator: 0429 110 226
or
Kero O’Shea – RYPEN Coordinator: 0408 802 490

Prepared by:

Kero O’Shea
Secretary
Rotary E-Club of Western Australia (“E-WA”)

Meet Anthea, Our District Rotaract Representative

Anthea Charlotte McCormick is the District Rotaract Representative (DRR) for our District 9465. The DRR has a leading role in a Rotaract district and is responsible for providing support to clubs.

In this conversation with Anthea we cover a range of issues, including what she sees as turnoffs for young professionals seeking to move from Rotaract to Rotary. Clubs that throw open their doors, provide mentoring and offer early access to board roles will be seen as attractive places to be.

Here’s our interview with Anthea:

Dee Roopun: My Life-Changing LEAP

Dee Roopun was an academically gifted and high-achieving 24 year old,  who felt that she was drifting through life and lacked goals.

Dee Roopun

Dee Roopun

All that changed for Dee when she attended the LEAP development program in Los Angeles in 2014. Dee had been through plenty of training courses and personal development programs before, but this one was different.  Her exposure to high achieving young fellow students, along with content that challenged and mentors who inspired, lifted her out of her rut.

A key outcome of the program was driving out fear and instilling new form of self-confidence that has Dee looking forward to experiences that would previously have terrified her.

Hear the story from Dee:

 

Natalie Jupe: The Importance of Interact

Past President Natalie Jupe of the Rotary Club of Queanbeyan is part of the dynamic new generation of Rotary leadership that is transforming the century-old service club. Jupe, the Interact Chair for Rotary District 9710, sees the young members of Interact (12-18yrs) as vital members of the Family of Rotary organisations. She speaks fondly of the very positive impression her young charges made at the June 2014 Rotary International Convention, held in Sydney.

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interact offers young people who want to do good in our world the opportunity to come together and make a difference in a volunteer organisation tailored for them. With the option of school or community-based clubs, Interact can help bring together the youth of diverse elements in a community.

Jupe sees Interactors as the Rotarians of the future. Judging by the fundraising efforts of Telopea Park High School, who raised $114,000 for an international project, Interactors are already setting a fine example for the broader Rotary community.

Get the full story about Interact from District 9710 Interact Chair Natalie Jupe here: