The University of Wollongong Rotaract Club, chartered by their sponsoring Club, the Rotary Club of Corrimal in September 2002, has celebrated 15 years of long and lasting friendships, achievements and satisfaction that they are getting stronger every year.
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The club attracts young people from ages 18 to 30, with Rotarian Alf Harley, fondly called their “Grandfather”, who chaired the forming committee meetings stretching over 18 months before the club could commence.
The club’s membership, largely university students, meet every fortnight. Outgoing President Audrey Vu outlined the successes of the year at the recent changeover.
“I believe with a tremendous diversity of nationalities, personalities, capabilities with a solid consolidation in views and passion, we are looking forward to an exciting year,” Audrey said.
“The club is fully developed above and beyond its potential, for Rotaract to truly become the platform for any changes we want to make in the world. With everyone being a part of this success, not only for today, but tomorrow and every day after.”
On receiving the traditional Rotaract collar, incoming President Deeksha Balaji said she wanted to build on their current achievements.
“Put more FUN into fund-raising, building on the project to date, to carefully plan, continue with hosting those quality fund-raisers over the next year whilst continuing Rotary’s motto ‘doing good in the world’! After all, fund-raising is the main facet of Rotaract or Rotary.”
Present at the changeover were Charter members including past members from the USA, local and District Rotarians, including Past District Governor Stephen Humphreys and his wife, Judith who officiated and congratulated the members of the Club on their achievements and longevity.
Rotaract speakers included two Past Presidents and members who shared their experiences, each attributing Rotaract as having an impact on their achivements.
Their major fund-raiser, Humans -V- Zombies, is held in April every year when over $2000 is raised and donated to Rotary’s Polio Plus. When matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 2 to 1, this results in $6000 plus. This vaccinates approximately 5000 children in the countries where eradication is still the challenge.
In this last year, $14,000 was raised with the majority being donated to Rotary’s Polio Plus campaign.
The Rotaractors’ ongoing commitments support the Cancer Council in Daffodil Day, Relay for Life, Biggest Morning Tea, plus they join the Rotarians in their community events and BBQ’s mainly from the Rotary Club of Corrimal, where they also regularly attend the club’s meetings. They also assist other local Rotary Clubs, Wollongong and West Wollongong, Illawarra Sunrise on request.
Major support from the local Rotary Club to the Rotaractors is sponsorship to attend the life-changing Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program – RYLA, which is held in the first week of January each year, as well as mentoring these young enthusiastic Rotaractors.
This is the only Rotaract Club in the Illawarra. Any young person in the community, including students studying at the university are very welcome to join, learn and share the FUN of volunteering, making a difference out in our local community.
Anyone interested in joining and or learning more about Rotaract, please contact Deeksha Balaji, President, phone 0401 015 958 or Alf Harley, Mobile 0414 869 366.
