Youth Services

Youth Director Eddy Giacomel introduced Karrinyup Rotary's 2025 Rotary Youth Exchange outbound student to Poland, Ellen de Catania. Ellen gave an interesting account of her year, highlighting why she wanted to go on a Rotary Youth Exchange year, her school in Poland, her host families, Warsaw, Milanowek, summer camp, various Rotary camps and what she had gained from her year. She expressed her sincere appreciation to the Karrinyup Rotary Club for enabling her to enjoy this amazing exchange experience.

Karrinyup Rotary has supported students to attend the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) over many years. Several Rotary clubs contributed to sponsor the 2026 students, Lara, Oliver and Harper. In their presentations, the students each described their experience at NYSF, an annual program that brings together hundreds of Year 12 students from all around Australia. The program is designed to encourage young people in their passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The students expressed their appreciation to Rotary for providing the experience.

Youth Director Eddy Giacomel introduced our graduate from the 2026 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) program. Arabella. She shared her experience of the week-long course she attended, sponsored by Karrinyup Rotary. Arabella described the experience as an intensive seven-day program focused on promoting self-awareness, leadership and personal growth, which was nothing like any typical work-centred personal development programs. She spoke of new learning experiences, making new friendships, experiencing teamwork, public speaking and gaining a huge boost in self-confidence.

RYLA Oceania ELEVATE is redefining Rotary’s leadership pathway by giving emerging and established leaders aged 20–45 the space, self-awareness and skills they need to lead with clarity, confidence and purpose. A four-day course extending the RYLA Experience was held in the Blue Mountains from 27-30 November 2025. Karrinyup Rotary sponsored Mambwe Nsanje, who originally attended RYLA in January 2025. He described his RYLA journey to the ELEVATE experience. Mambwe was featured in the Rotary Down Under News in December. Check out what Mambwe had to say, 'Strengthening Rotary's Leadership Pipeline Across Oceania'.

Rotary Youth Exchange inbound student Feli from Argentina is a keen sports fan so a highlight of his spring school holidays was an outing to the Bledisloe Cup, his birthday gift from the club. However, Sam was the only member pleased about his choice of shirt!  He also went to the Perth Royal Show and travelled to regional WA, visiting Katanning and Busselton. He was most impressed with the Australian bush. Finally, the holidays finished with a camp for the inbound students organised by Rotary Youth Exchange WA.

Youth Director Eddy Giacomel introduced Daniel Stayt, who attended the 2025 London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF). Currently studying Frontier Physics at UWA, he was Karrinyup Rotary's 2024 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) participant in Canberra, while in his final year at Warwick SHS. Daniel was jointly sponsored to participate in the London event through the collaboration of the Karrinyup and Scarborough Rotary Clubs. Community Director Jerry Pilcher from the Rotary Club of Scarborough is seen here with Daniel and Eddy.

Mambwe Nsanje introduced Zari Reed, a Karrinyup Rotary participant in the September 2025 Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN). Our 2025-2026 Rotary Youth Exchange student, Feli Villaro, also completed the program. Mambwe had completed the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program for 18-28 year olds earlier this year and has since become a coordinator for the younger participants' program. RYPEN is for Year 10 students who have leadership potential and demonstrate other positive personal attributes and who are actively involved in the community.

Youth Director Eddy Giacomel introduced our 2025-2026 Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student, Feli, from Argentina. Feli has been an active member of our club since he arrived in Perth in late July. Dressed to impress in a traditional gaucho costume, Feli told us about himself, his country and his town. He described the history, geography, climate, wildlife, some famous landmarks, sports, culture and traditional foods. As a special surprise for everyone to enjoy after the meal, he had prepared alfajores, sweet treats comprising two cookies joined with dulce de leche. They were delicious!

Karrinyup Rotary 2025-2026 Rotary Youth Exchange inbound student from Argentina, Feli has been in Perth for just under two weeks. In his first report to the club, he related some of the highlights of his first experiences. These included seeing kangaroos up close, his first day at school - where he found everyone to be very friendly, an outing to Toastmasters with Eddy and Murray, finding taekwondo to be quite different to what he is accustomed to in Argentina, visiting the Stirling Farmers Market - where he got to ring the bell, cooking empanadas for Eddy and Jenny and, best of all, going to the Eagles game with Mick. He is now a fan of AFL! 

The Rotary Club of Karrinyup was delighted this week to welcome 2025 - 2026 Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student Feli from Argentina. While Feli has been in Perth for a few weeks, this was his first chance to meet most of the club members. During his exchange year, Feli will stay with several different host families to broaden his cultural experience of our country. He is attending Warwick SHS, where he has already made friends. Karrinyup Rotary has supported Rotary Youth Exchange for most of our fifty-plus years.

Trish Lynch introduced Karrinyup Rotary's 2024-2025 Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from Austria Viki to give the final presentation on her exchange year in Australia. Viki described her expectations of Australia, how they differed from the reality, some cultural differences, what she will miss the most when she goes home, some of her amazing experiences and how her Rotary Youth Exchange year has changed her as a person. Above all, she expressed her sincere gratitude to all her host families and to the club for making this life changing experience possible.

Over the past several weeks, Karrinyup Rotary members have been preparing a welcome banner for the arrival of our 2025-2026 Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student. A group of club members, together with his first host parents, gathered at Perth Domestic Airport for the arrival of Feli from Trenque Lauquen, Argentina via Buenas Aires, Santiago and Melbourne. Feli was delighted to be here and is looking forward to spending an amazing year with us. See Facebook photo.

Youth Service Director Eddy Giacomel introduced Mofya, a Karrinyup Rotary participant in the May 2025 Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN). This program is for Year 10 students, who have leadership potential and demonstrate other positive personal attributes, who are actively involved in the community. In thanking the club, Mofya spoke positively about her experience saying that she had gained good leadership and problem solving skills to help her grow in confidence and work better when out of her comfort zone.

Karrinyup Rotary's Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student, Viki from Austria, shared highlights of her amazing experience on the Northwest Safari, which took her to Mount Magnet, Karajini, Coral Bay, Monkey Mia, Kalbarri, Sandy Cape and the Pinnacles. As well as forming lasting friendships with fellow exchange students from all over the world, she celebrated a birthday to remedber, while on the road.

Youth Exchange student mentor Trish Lynch introduced Karrinyup Rotary's 2024 Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student to Germany Ewan Upson. Ewan, who is the club's first post COVID outbound student, described his amazing year outlining some of the different aspects and the highlights. Ewan also described how he had changed during the year. He mentioned that around the six month mark, the language just clicked with him. He has also become more confident and independent. He said he will be eternally grateful to Rotary for this amazing experience.

Currently the Rotary Club of Karrinyup Youth Services group has a small budget to provide funding for local youth organisation volunteers, who reside or volunteer in 'our patch'. The purpose is for them to complete initial or refresher training to gain or maintain such qualifications they may require to perform their volunteer role. Audrey Repsevicius completed the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program through Karrinyup Rotary in 2021 and serves the community as a volunteer Girl Guide Unit Leader. She used the grant to fund a required update to her First Aid qualfication. Audrey thanked the club for the support. 

As part of our Youth Service, Karrinyup Rotary again sponsored three students to attend the 2025 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). Our 2025 students, Isobel Gomez, Joshua Polmear and Toby Iglio, all currently attend Warwick SHS. In their presentations, the students each described their experience at NYSF, an annual program, which brings together hundreds of Year 12 students from all around Australia. The program is designed to encourage young people in their passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Youth Director Eddy Giacomel introduced our graduates from the 2025 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) program. Mambwe and Shaun shared of their experiences of the week long course, which they attended in January, sponsored by Karrinyup Rotary. The pair spoke glowingly of a jam packed, sleep deprived week with many highlights. These included new learning experiences, the amazing diverse group of thirty nine participants, making new friendships, experiencing teamwork, public speaking and gaining a huge boost to their self-confidence.

Currently the Rotary Club of Karrinyup Youth Services group has a small budget to provide funding for local youth organisation volunteers, who reside or volunteer in 'our patch'. The purpose is for them to complete initial or refresher training to gain or maintain such qualifications they may require to perform their volunteer role. Recently, the club provided funding to local Girl Guide leader Hannah Woodward on the completion of a Remote Area First Aid qualification. Hannah needed this to retain her certification to run overnight hiking expeditions.

In 2018, our club sponsored Caleb from Warwick SHS to participate in the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) program. From there he continued to excel, becoming Dux at WSHS and during his university studies was selected to spend a month in Israel, working alongside PhD students at the Weizmann Institute. Caleb updated the club at the end of his first university year. He has now been named 2024 WA Rhodes Scholar. Well done Caleb - we are very happy to have been just a tiny part of your journey!

 In addition the club supports participants in the following programs:

• Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE)
• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
• Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN)

Karrinyup Rotary Youth Services has set aside funds for financial assistance for young people from families in need to attend Girl Guides, Scouts or similar pursuits (other than sports). The scholarship will cover the annual fees to be a member and participate in a youth development activity. Western Australia resident children aged 5 to 18 years participating, or wishing to participate in approved activities, whose parents/guardian have a Health Care/Pension Concession Card or members of Ukrainian refugee families are eligible.

Currently the Rotary Club of Karrinyup Youth Services group has a small budget to provide funding for local youth organisation volunteers, who reside or volunteer in 'our patch'. The purpose is for them to complete initial or refresher training to gain or maintain such qualifications as Senior First Aid, Mental Health First Aid or Bronze Medallion, that they may require to perform their volunteer role.

Youth Director Trish Lynch introduced new District 9423 RYLA and RYPEN Chair, Ian Ball (RC Como), who addressed the club on the benefits and operation of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN). Ian explained how the programs will work going forward following the merge of the two districts to Rotary WA. Karrinyup Rotary has long been a supporter of both programs and this year had three participants in the RYPEN program. We also directed funding support towards the RYLA camp, when our participant was unable to attend.