The whole purpose of the evening is to open up the school to the wider community, parents, carers and prospective students who can come and see what Keira has to offer.

The Interactors had a stall highlighting some of the key features of Interact such as fund-raising initiatives (for which they are renowned); opportunities they receive to go to conferences, and leadership camps/programs sponsored by and through Rotary. These opportunities would not normally be available.

Also, Interact helps to promote a strong link between Keira HS and the wider community through the support of the Director of Youth Programs, Debbie Petreski of the Rotary Club of Wollongong who visits and supports the students and their Interact co-ordinator where possible and mostly on a weekly basis.

Last year, students attended RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) held on a weekend over 2 days, and the Model United Nations Assembly held at Parliament House, Sydney where they won the award for the best dressed team, their country being Afghanistan.

They also attended the National Youth Science Forum - NYSF, which led to two students being funded to attend the National program, followed by selection to travel to London in August.

The School, the P&C, local members of Parliament, the community and the Rotary Clubs of West Wollongong and Wollongong, raised the funds for them to attend this most prestigious event.

They met other young budding science enthusiasts - approximately 500 - from all over the world, attended workshops and events hosted by world-leading scientists and visited the leading universities in and around London, including Oxford. This was a real honour for the school and Rotary, and one that will be forever a life-changing experience each of the students will treasure for the rest of their lives.

The Keira High School Interact Club is the oldest in this Rotary District and has operated for more than 52 years. The Rotary Club of Wollongong is now working with the Interact co-ordinator to finalise applications for RYPEN, MUNA (to be held at Parliament House, Sydney on June 1, 2019) and NYSF, all of which are funded by the local Rotary Clubs.

This week is very busy with the Interactors hosting a UNO Competition to celebrate Harmony Week. More on this in coming weeks.

For further information about Rotary projects including the youth programs, contact Dot Hennessy on 0412 120 314 or email to dothennessy@gmail.com.