Chair for this evening was our Youth Chair, Chris George who welcomed the winner of our Primary School Essay Competition, Leah and her parents and sister, and well as Carmel Wood, a teacher representing Leah’s school, St Leonards Primary School. Also with us was Chris, the Wellington Secondary College School Captain, Cameron, Liam and Matt -3 leaders from the recent Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and also Vidya, Leisl and Nicole, our sponsored attendees at RYLA.
First up, Bev welcomed Leah and teacher Carmel up to the podium. Bev explained that the essay competition was for years 3 and 4 students and that this type of activity not only encourages students to write but also encourages them to become avid readers and expand their horizons through these activities.
This competition is now in its 16th year. the 2025 Schools Writing Competition. Previously, Rotarians Neridah Wilson, Chris George, Don Kerley and Bev Leishman had made presentations of awards to the winners and runners up at each of the 7 schools who participated in this evenly contested competition.
The Grand Champion writer, Leah, of Year 4 at St. Leonard’s Catholic Primary School attended with her family and received her Certificate and Book Voucher before reading aloud her diary form story entitled ‘A Fight for Girl’s Rights’. (See her story attached to this Bulletin). Leah’s teacher, Carmel Wood, accepted the Winning School Award Perpetual Trophy and a $250 Voucher for Library books on behalf of the school.
Next up was Chris, School Captain at Wellington Secondary College who gave us a wonderful talk about his experience this year in his leadership role at WSC. Leadership to him means listening and acting on students’ views, and encouraging students with their exams, He found it to be a tough year, but very enjoyable. It has been an honour to represent his group, helping behind the scenes with the recent Rotary ‘Peace Poles’ project. Also mentoring other (6) international students in year 11. He also mentored Grade 6 students from a local primary school about student leadership and moving from Primary School into their Secondary School environment. Chris acknowledged Connie’s support, and said she was like a second Mum, and he also thanked RCMGW and Chris George for their encouragement. He told us he has learned that leadership is not about being ‘in front’ but being ‘alongside’.
After Chris’s impressive talk, we then heard from our RYLA sponsored attendees Leisl and Vidia told us about their experience at RYLA. They worked in colour groups to do 6 challenges and found that working together gave them the opportunity to gain self-confidence and are much more confident in speaking in public. After RYLA they felt bonded, and it was a very challenging and rewarding.
Leisl volunteered at our Op Shop, and after finishing her PhD started her first job and had been there only 1 week before RYLA. When she returned, she felt very strongly about the environment, and suggested to her new boss that instead of using disposable cups for their coffee that they purchase washable mugs for everyone. He was very impressed with that, and that she felt confident enough to suggest the move.
After Leisl and Vidya’ great presentation about how they were inspired by their RYLA experience, Cameron who was one of the leaders of RYLA, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Judy Hasnat, on behalf of the RCMGW in gratitude for our support of RYLA and sending young potential community leaders along to this special activity. Cameron told us that around the world, over 10,000 young people have been trained through RYLA. The overall results every year is a new batch of ‘Rylarians’ going forth into their careers and community activities with self-confidence and many skills to help them along the way.
It was great to see the RYLA leaders come along to this Youth Night to support the recent batch of wonderful young leaders that have been supported by Rotary
