Tag Archives: narembeen

Announcing the Arnold–Strange Rotary Community Challenge

We’re excited to share some wonderful news ahead of the Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading in Bruce Rock on 28 March.

Chris Arnold and Stephen Strange recognized for supporting the Rotary Wheatbelt Love of Reading Project

The Rotary E-Club of Western Australia Inc. Board has resolved to rename the Rotary Community Challenge, in perpetuity, as the Arnold–Strange Rotary Community Challenge.

For more than a decade, Stephen Strange and Chris Arnold have provided tremendous support to the Swim, our Rotary Love of Reading Project, the RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) youth development program, and the many community efforts that make these initiatives possible in Bruce Rock and Narembeen.

Their commitment to strengthening opportunities for local young people — especially through supporting school reading programs — has made a real and lasting difference.

We’re proud to recognise two outstanding community leaders in this way.

How You Can Help

The poster for the Arnold–Strange Rotary Community Challenge is attached — please share it widely with friends, neighbours, past swimmers and RYPEN alumni. Let’s see the community get behind the Challenge in 2026!

Because in the end, the real winners of the Arnold–Strange Rotary Community Challenge are the children of our Wheatbelt communities.

See you at the Swim!

A certificate for the Arnold-Strange Rotary Community Challenge

Recognizing two local legends as we continue to support Bruce Rock and Narembeen kids

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading 2026

An image of a woman sitting by a pool, recording information, with swimmers in the pool

Rotary in action supporting Wheatbelt schools through community engagement in our annual event

Twelthth Annual Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading

Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre
Saturday 28 March 2026
Registration from 12 noon

This annual event enables the community to fundraise for reading programs at Bruce Rock and Narembeen District High Schools. Importantly, young participants will earn places on Rotary youth programs through their participation in the swim.

We have vacancies for volunteers in a number of categories on the day and will welcome assistance from community members.

Register for the swim and/or to volunteer

Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/DKCVL

The Rotary Swim is a fun event that brings our Rotary team, schools and the community together, promoting a love of reading and fundraising for reading programs, as we enable future leaders to earn Rotary youth program places. Both adults and children are encouraged to swim, and the focus is participation and fun.

Donate to support reading programs at Bruce Rock or Narembeen District High Schools

This year we have again partnered with Rotary Australia World Community Service so that we can offer tax-deductible receipts.

Donate via https://donations.rawcs.com.au/49-2020-21

Donors who enter their details in the form can choose to pay by credit card, bank transfer or cheque. All the instructions are in the form. In the Request(s) to Project Manager box, please name the school and swimmer the donation is supporting. The online form is also great for encouraging family and friends living outside the region to support local kids.

Questions? Email us at swim@rotaryeclubwa.org.au

2025 Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading

 

Poster to promote the Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading to be held at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on 15 February 2025, starting at 12 noon.

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading! See You in Bruce Rock on 15 February 2025

Eleventh Annual Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading

Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre
Saturday 15 February 2025 
Registration from 12 noon 

This annual event enables the community to fundraise for reading programs at Bruce Rock and Narembeen District High Schools. Importantly, young participants will earn places on Rotary youth programs through their participation in the swim.

We have vacancies for volunteers in a number of categories on the day and will welcome assistance from community members.

Register for the swim and/or to volunteer

https://events.humanitix.com/rotary-wheatbelt-swim-for-reading-2025

The Rotary Swim is a fun event that brings our Rotary team, schools and the community together, promoting a love of reading and fundraising for reading programs, as we enable future leaders to earn Rotary youth program places. Both adults and children are encouraged to swim, and the focus is participation and fun.

Donate to support reading programs at Bruce Rock or Narembeen School

This year we have again partnered with Rotary Australia World Community Service so that we can offer tax-deductible receipts.

Donate via https://donations.rawcs.com.au/49-2020-21

Donors who enter their details in the form can choose to pay by credit card, bank transfer or cheque. All the instructions are in the form. In the Request(s) to Project Manager box, please name the school and swimmer the donation is supporting. The online form is also great for encouraging family and friends living outside the region to support local kids.

Questions? Email us at swim@rotaryeclubwa.org.au

One Banner to Rule Them All?

Our number 1 banner promoting literacy development

Supporting Reading via Reading Rabbits

Our Number One Banner

One banner to rule them all? Maybe not, but our number one banner – promoting literacy development – has pride of place in our visual storytelling.

Our most important banner was born in 2016. Crucially, that banner addresses two themes that are vital to what we do in Bruce Rock, Narembeen and Quairading:

  • Firstly, the core theme is obvious. We made literacy improvement our prime aim in 2015, knowing that it wasy not going to be easy . Lots of research points to the ongoing challenges of literacy and how a literacy deficit adversely impacts people. We wanted a better future for all kids, so we took on what is now our Rotary Love of Reading program with the help of our wonderful partner schools.  Together we will make a difference.
  • Secondly, the banner depicts another theme that we also value highly: our sponsorship from Bruce Rock Shire.  The Shire has helped us progress the Rotary Love of Reading program in very important ways. Crucially, the Shire enables our use of the facilities at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre for the annual Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading.  Additionally, the Shire sponsors our Rotary Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) a development seminar for 14 to 17 year olds.  We offer RYPEN to those students who take part in the Swim and raise funds for their schools.

Have You Spoken with Alison?

Importantly, our number one banner also depicts our 2020-21 president-elect Alison in the kids’ library.  Alison arranged the first Rotary swim in 2014, soon after she arrived in Bruce Rock. Alison, a keen supporter of our reading and youth development programs, still lives in Bruce Rock and still plays a crucial role in the annual Rotary Swim for Reading.

If you live in Bruce Rock and would like to know more about our reading and other programs, look Alison up. She’s always ready to help and keen to talk about what we have to offer.

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

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Needs You!

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Needs You - image shows a couple of kids sitting on a bean bag readingThe Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading needs you!

The Swim is on at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on Saturday 22 February 2020, starting at 1pm.

The formula for the Swim is pretty simple.

Firstly, the Swim supports three schools:

Secondly,  we promote a love of reading and raise money for reading in local schools via the Swim.  Importantly, we ensure that all funds donated go to the nominated school(s). There is no overhead deduction. We’re all volunteers.

Thirdly, we recognize the efforts of young people who fundraise for their local school and participate in the swim. We value the efforts of these young leaders. Those who fundraise and participate will be in the running for a Rotary youth development program for 14-17 year olds. We’ve nominated more than 20 teenagers for the youth program since 2017.  In 2020, we’re planning to send lots of youngsters on the program.

Want to raise funds for your school’s reading programs? You can!
It’s easy as 1-2-3:

  1. use the accompanying Sponsorship Form  to collect sponsors or go to https://www.chuffed.org/project/ewarotary-wheatbelt-love-reading-2020 to contribute online. The online option is brilliant! It enables friends and family anywhere to sponsor swimmers
  2. register for the swim (see attached form) – Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading)
  3. participate in the fun on 22 February at Bruce Rock pool.

Questions? Email us at swim@rotaryeclubwa.org.au or have a chat with our Bruce Rock-based president-elect Alison Lockwood.

Let’s back our schools at the Swim!  Don’t leave it to others – the Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading needs you!

Kero O’Shea
Swim Director
Rotary E-Club of Western Australia inc. (“E-WA”)

 

2020 Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Less Than 4 Weeks Away!

To: All Our Friends in
Bruce Rock, Narembeen and Quairading

The Rotary E-Club of Western Australia Inc. (“E-WA”) is pleased to invite you to our 2020 Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading.   This will be our 6th Swim and we’re planning our best ever!

We’re holding the Swim at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on Saturday 22 February 2020, commencing at 1pm.

The Swim is a fun event where our Rotary team, schools and the community come together to promote a love of reading and fundraise for reading programs in participating schools. We raise funds through sponsorship of swimmers, with funds going to school(s) nominated by the donor.

E-WA is proud to have increased support to school reading programs again this year and with your help we can do even more in future.

Alison Lockwood, our Bruce Rock based president-elect, is busy organising catering and local support for the Swim in preparation for her year as the leader of E-WA in 20-21. Chat with Alison about her plans if the opportunity arises!

We hope you can join us on the day to enjoy another successful Rotary Swim for Reading.

Want to know more?  Click here or contact us on swim@rotaryeclubwa.org.au.

See you at the Swim!

Kero O’Shea
Swim Director
E-WA

Shogo Williams – Matsuoka “
President
E-WA

Poster for 2020 Swim for Reading

Our 2020 Rotary Swim for Reading is on 22 February.

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading on 22 February 2020

The Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading is on again in 2020!

The Rotary E-Club of Western Australia Inc. (“E-WA”) is pleased to invite you to our 6th annual Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading in 2020. We’re planning our best Swim ever!

We’ll be holding the Swim at the Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre on Saturday 22 February 2020, commencing at 1pm. A huge “thank you to our partners and sponsors at the Shire of Bruce Rock for their continuing support for our Swim.

The Swim is a fun event where our Rotary team, schools and the community come together to promote a love of reading and fundraise for reading programs in participating schools.  We raise funds through sponsorship of swimmers and all funds go to the nominated school(s).

We in E-WA are proud to have increased support to school reading programs again this year and with your help we can do even more in future.

Alison Lockwood, our Bruce Rock based president-elect, is busy organising catering and local support for the Swim in preparation for her year as the leader of E-WA in 20-21. Have a chat with Alison about her plans if the opportunity arises!

We hope you can join us on the day to enjoy another successful Rotary Swim for Reading.

See you at the Swim!

Kero O’Shea
Swim Director
E-WA		 Shogo Williams – Matsuoka
President
E-WA

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading Poster 2020

Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Reading 2020 is on 22 Feb 2020 at Bruce Rock Aquatic Centre

 

Rotary Wheatbelt Teacher Champion Awards – Vote in the People’s Choice Award for your School Video!

The people’s choice award is open for voting! To have your say our Rotary Wheatbelt Love of Reading Teacher Champion.Award, check out the entry videos and *like* the story of your favourite champion(s)

love of reading header promoting voting

Links to the Entry Videos!

Bruce Rock: https://youtu.be/gaZb81o1Gq4

Narembeen: https://youtu.be/7Kl1g2vH5AU

Quairading: https://youtu.be/R5IP83q_V8k

Tammin: https://youtu.be/Cx-ylnsFWZU

Wagin: https://youtu.be/n3sVr7OyXe8

York: https://youtu.be/4XSjQMejvX0

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”)

Bruce Rock Swim 2017: All Three School Swim Posters in One Place

Here are all three Swim posters (Bruce Rock, Narembeen and Quairading).

Poster showing details of the Swim in Bruce Rock on 25 March 2017

Our 2017 Swim Poster for Bruce Rock

Narembeen poster promoting 25 March 2017 Bruce Rock Swim

Our 2017 Rotary Wheatbelt Swim for Literacy poster for Narembeen

Bruce Rock Swim Quairading Poster

Our Quairading Swim Poster