Held at the Royal Hotel on Monday, November 17, the presentation has been praised as an amazing and vibrant celebration of the awardees’ endeavours, with the room packed with Rotarians, guests and family members.
The Rotary Club of Seymour is the only club in District 9790 to stage this particular award, with the club’s New Generations (youth) director Fiona McCarthy implementing it in 2018.
To achieve the award, which is open to local students in Year 6, participants must complete one hour of community service and of learning a new skill each week for 10 weeks, and two hours of physical sport each week for 10 weeks.
They must also write a number of reports after attending a community meeting, experiencing a different culture, undertaking a religious or spiritual experience, attending a community commemoration and taking part in an environmental project, as well as presenting a poster after attending an arts event.
The students must complete these tasks over nine months to achieve the award, recording their efforts in a special diary they maintain over the period, which are signed off by supervisors along the way.
During the presentation, the students reported on their experiences, and were asked many questions by Rotarians and guests afterwards.
Harriet, who helped at a local horse stable, said the process was a valuable learning experience.
“Although this award was challenging, and sometimes I wanted to give up, I was determined to challenge myself and learn how and when to prioritise spending time with my friends and completing the award,” she said.
Vader’s 10 weeks of community service were spent reviewing footage of feral cats at a national park near Yea – work that aims to protect native wildlife – and she was also able to attend Mackillop Early Learning Centre which, she said, “was an honour”.
Yenui learnt the piano and achieved level two after the 10 weeks, and, for her community service, spent time at Barrabill House.
She said she planned to continue to attend the aged care facility.
Ariana, whose highlight was tree planting in Boho South with Strathbogie Landcare, said, “completing this award has been such a rewarding adventure, being an experience of growth and appreciation”, and Mia agreed that she, too, had been shaped by the experience.
“Overall, the Rotary award helped me grow personally,” Mia said.
“This experience reminded me that when we give our time and effort to others, we don’t just change our communities, we change ourselves.”
19°C