Youth Services

RYLA is an intensive eight-day program designed for 18-28 year olds with leadership potential and a commitment to community service. This a unique opportunity aimed to bring participants out of their comfort zone and challenge them to think outside the square, while actively using and building on their existing skills and knowledge. RYLA 2024 will be held at the Serpentine Camping Centre from Saturday 6th January – Saturday 13th January 2024. Karrinyup Rotary prefers to sponsor young people who are already volunteering in the community. Contact Trish Lynch.

Youth Director Trish Lynch introduced Karrinyup Rotary's 2024 Rotary Program of Enrichment participants Elena and Olivia, who completed the May course, to receive their certificates along with Karolina, who completed the September course. This program is for 14 - 18 year old students, who have demonstrated leadership potential and other positive personal attributes, who are community minded and actively involved in the community. In thanking the club, the girls related that they found the program inspiring and said they were pushed out of their comfort zone.

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!

RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) is a weekend camp for 14 to 17 year olds, with a focus on “Fun with a Purpose”. Develop skills around team work, communication, goal setting, problem solving. Participants are encouraged to push their boundaries and challenge themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Karrinyup Rotary is keen to fund this program again. The next RYPEN camp is from 15th - 17th September 2023. Contact Youth Director Trish Lynch for further information.

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.

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.

The Karrinyup Rotary Youth Service team established a ‘Back to School 2023’ grant to assist children of Ukrainian Displaced persons living in Western Australia. Its purpose is to help cover the expenses of funding their back-to-school requirements for 2023. Families can apply for a grant of $200 for local children, who have settled here after fleeing the war in Ukraine. To be eligible, they must have the 769 visa that applies to DP’s from Ukraine. Applications have now closed. 

Alta-1 offers learning pathways to disengaged students across Australia. Alternative education programs – in class and online – deliver solutions that include community involvement, therapeutic support and education outcomes. In recognition of the support Karrinyup Rotary provided to Alta 1 School in Mullaloo during the year, Tess Gardner and Geoff Inman were invited to attend the 2022 Graduation Night at the Mullaloo campus.

Alta-1 offers learning pathways to disengaged students across Australia. Children come into the Alta-1 program because they have been damaged by trauma. Teachers at the ConnectEd Middle School Campus in Perth felt there was a need for a day that provided practical skills and learning in a fun environment, as many of the students are in need of support with basic day to day living skills. Another Wellness Day was held recently with Karrinyup Rotary again providing support.

As part of our Youth Service, Karrinyup Rotary again sponsored two students to attend the 2022 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). Eddy Giacomel introduced our 2022 students Julyanna and Jagriti both from our link school Warwick SHS. In their joint presentation, the girls 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).

Jane Wake introduced Luka and Rocco Obradovich, who were the Karrinyup Rotary participants in the 2022 Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment. This program is for Year 10 students, who have leadership potential, demonstrate other positive personal attributes, who are community minded and actively involved in the community. In thanking the club, the boys told us they found the program well organised, inspiring and said they were pushed out of their comfort zone. Both also completed twenty hours of community service at the Stirling Farmers Market. President Jenni presented the boys with their certificates.

Past District Governor Fred Marsh (RC Scarborough) made a belated presentation to Abdiwahab Hillow from our link school Warwick SHS, winner of an inaugural Stan Perron Award. Abdiwahab was nominated by his school as a student, who met all the criteria. The award seeks students, who excel both academically and at sport, make a contribution to the school community service and who emulate the elements of Rotary’s Four Way Test in their relationship with their teachers and fellow students. The award provides a medal and a scholarship of $500 towards further education.

Robyn Cleaver introduced Caleb McKenna, whom our club sponsored to attend the 2018 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). Caleb last spoke to us on his return from that event. This week, he related how this experience was a beginning and indeed a catalyst for a whole series of opportunities, which continue to come his way. He repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the club for the enabling him this initial opportunity which has had so many long term effects.

 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)
• Rotary Adventures in Citizenship
• Conoco Phillips Science Experience