"This allows DC’s to be more adaptive in helping them run a program that works well for their particular District, but also presents new ideas for consideration. A very useful exercise.”
This year over 1300 students applied for the 2019 NYSF Year 12 Program from all over Australia with nearly 600 selected.
How are we able to have such a wide reach all over this vast continent of ours? NYSF Founding Partner, Rotary Australia is on the ground throughout the country, prepping, assisting, advising, interviewing and selecting students to participate each January in the NYSF Year 12 Program.
This is a huge logistical effort with an estimated 20,000+ voluntary hours offered by Rotarians every year to give students the opportunity to attend the program.
To deliver this service and to continue to improve on the selection process the NYSF holds a biannual District Chairs Conference, which was held in Canberra in October.
There are over 1,100 Rotary Clubs in Australia divided into 21 districts and each district has a nominated NYSF Rotary District Chair (DC) that coordinates and oversees the selection of students for all of the clubs in their district. Twenty out of the twenty-one districts were represented at the conference.
The 21 Rotary Districts in Australia
The conference ran over two days and provided an opportunity for the DC’s to share their experiences, and offer insights into their selection processes.
NYSF CEO, Dr Damien Pearce said the conference was a valuable experience for Rotary DC’s to support each other, share ideas and work together to enhance the selection process.
“There isn’t anything much more inspiring than a group of passionate Rotarians who come together for a common goal. We are fortunate at the NYSF that we share a common purpose with the NYSF Rotary District Chairs to inspire young Australians to value STEM and its importance within our communities.”
NYSF District Chair for District 9455 in Perth, Allan McLean, saw the benefits of DC’s coming together for the conference.
“The DC Conference is a great opportunity for District Chairs to meet and discuss various aspects of the program. This allows District Chairs to get an understanding of the issues facing other Districts, and get to hear solutions to challenges faced by others that may assist in enabling chairs to address some issues they face. What was very clear was that each District is unique and that what works for one district may not be applicable to another. I feel this allows DC’s to be more adaptive in helping them run a selection process that works well for their particular District, but also presents new ideas for consideration. A very useful exercise.”
It was not all work and no play for the DC’s. The conference coincided with the Canberra Launch of the NYSF 2019 Year 12 Program at the Australian Academy of Science’s Shine Dome where they met some of this year's selected students, alumni and NYSF Partners. The DC’s heard from NYSF alumni who are now studying and working in their chosen fields and how their selection and participation at the NYSF had impacted on the paths they took.
With renewed inspiration, networking and the sharing of ideas we’re sure the selection process for 2019 will be even better than before!
The NYSF would like to thank all of the NYSF District Chairs for their involvement in the selections process for the NYSF Year 12 Program and all Rotarians who have given their time and knowledge to support the program.
