How a chance conversation at work changed my life: My Rotary journey
“It all started in the most unexpected way. I was working in the print department at Officeworks in Port Macquarie when a customer recognised me. He knew my dad through the local progress association and was also a member of the local Rotary club. They were seeking applicants for RYLA, and he thought I might be a good candidate.
For those unfamiliar, RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is an intensive leadership development program run by Rotary that brings together young people aged 18-28 for a transformative week of workshops, team challenges, and personal growth. It’s designed to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and create a network of socially conscious young leaders. I ultimately accepted the invitation, not really knowing what I was in for. That decision changed everything. From the moment RYLA began, I was hooked.
Finding my Rotary home: When I completed RYLA, I knew I needed to find a Rotary club to join, but which one? I wanted to work with youth and bring a young adult’s perspective to what was ultimately deemed, at the time, an older person’s game (this really needs to change!).
Along with some friends I’d made at RYLA, we were invited to attend Hastings Rotaract. For context, the Rotary family consists of three types of clubs: Interact clubs for secondary school students (typically ages 12-18), Rotaract clubs for young adults aged 18-30 focusing on leadership development and service projects whilst building professional networks, and Rotary clubs for adults of all ages committed to community service and global impact. All three work together under the Rotary umbrella, creating a pathway for lifelong service and leadership.
We joined the Rotaract club, but little did we know this was one of its last meetings. The club was about to fold as members needed to move on due to life commitments. This left an opportunity. I was asked if I would be secretary of the club. Always up for a challenge, I accepted, marking my first Rotary board role. I eventually became president and went on to grow the club by over 10 members. Along with my incredible members, we hosted the 3rd Annual Mental Health Ball at Panther’s Port Macquarie, welcoming 150 patrons and raising over $4,000 for youth mental health and homelessness through YP Space.
A new chapter in Newcastle: Life eventually led me to plan a move from Port Macquarie to Newcastle. At this point, I knew I needed to step back from bleeding my soul to Rotary, and I took a six-month hiatus. Then one day, I got a call from a Rotary member in Maitland who had heard about the Hastings Rotaract transformation. They asked if I could assist a Rotaract club in the area that was also struggling with membership. Though only to be short-lived, I accepted to assist the club in an interim capacity and set the path forward, rebranding the club, widening the membership reach, and engaging the club with the community and other local Rotary clubs. It was at this point that I was awarded my first Paul Harris Fellowship pin for the work I’d done with Hastings Rotaract, one of Rotary’s highest honours recognising significant contributions to the organisation.
When great became incredible:
District members invited me to facilitate at RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment), a weekend leadership and personal development program for secondary school students aged 14-17. RYPEN focuses on building confidence, communication skills, and helping young people discover their potential through interactive workshops and team activities.
Running group activities and inspiring the next generation was such an incredible experience that I returned to facilitate the following year. This ultimately led to an invitation to join the RYPEN District Committee for District 9660, where I now serve as the RYPEN South Coordinator. The program has been such a success that we’re now looking at running two RYPEN camps in our district per year, doubling our impact on young people’s lives.
This is when I joined the Rotary eClub of District 9660. This club meets online twice a month via Zoom, which is incredible for fitting life around Rotary. The club actively encourages all ages, demographics, and people in all locations (a key benefit of an eClub) to join. I currently serve as the club’s Technology Chair, managing our website and social media presence.
My involvement has continued to grow across the district. I sit on the District Technology Committee, helping to modernise how we connect and communicate across our clubs, working with M365, district and club websites, and databases to streamline our operations across our district of over 100 clubs and more than 2,000 members. As a 2023 RYLA alumnus and past Rotaract President from 2023-24, I’ve been able to give back to the programs that shaped me.
Looking ahead: I’ve been selected as the incoming District Public Image Chair for 2026-27. In this role, I’ll be working on an ambitious project to transform how we tell Rotary’s story across District 9660. This includes overhauling our social media presence, redesigning district and club websites, modernising our databases, and creating strategic communications that showcase the real impact Rotary has in our communities. The goal is to make Rotary’s incredible work visible, accessible, and inspiring to the next generation of leaders across our network of over 100 clubs and 2,000+ members.
For young leaders (and anyone curious about Rotary): This isn’t a publicity plug, but more of pulling the curtains open for young people who don’t know what Rotary is or what it can offer. And honestly, this post is only scratching the surface.
Rotary offers something genuinely rare in today’s world: authentic opportunities to lead meaningful projects, develop real-world skills, and create tangible change in your community. Whether you’re passionate about community service, mental health advocacy, youth development, environmental sustainability, or professional networking, there’s a place for you.
What makes Rotary unique for young professionals is the genuine investment senior members make in your growth. You’re not just volunteering, you’re being mentored by experienced leaders across every industry imaginable. You’re given responsibility, trusted with leadership roles, and supported when you need it. The diversity of involvement is incredible too. Love event planning? There are major fundraisers to coordinate. Passionate about technology and digital strategy? Clubs need people who understand modern communications. Interested in youth mentoring? Programs like RYLA and RYPEN are always looking for facilitators. Prefer hands-on community projects? There are endless opportunities. The flexibility is there too, with traditional clubs meeting weekly and eClubs meeting online, you can make Rotary work around your life.
And here’s what really matters: we’re actively working to make Rotary work around you, not you around Rotary. The days of rigid meeting structures and one-size-fits-all approaches are changing. We’re modernising, we’re listening, and we’re creating spaces where young people can contribute in ways that align with their skills, interests, and schedules.
That being said, if this does pique your interest, please contact me! I LOVE talking about Rotary, how different people with different skill sets can be involved, and how we can make Rotary work for you. Whether you’re a young professional exploring options, a student interested in youth programs, or someone who’s been curious about Rotary but never knew where to start, I’d genuinely love to chat.
My gratitude I’m deeply grateful to that Rotary member who saw potential in a young person working a retail job. I’m grateful to every Rotarian who has mentored me, every fellow Rotaractor who has collaborated with me, and everyone who continues to invest in young leaders through this organisation. You’ve helped me grow in ways I never expected.
The journey from that conversation at Officeworks to where I am today has been nothing short of life-changing. If you’re reading this and wondering whether Rotary might be for you, I encourage you to reach out. You might just find, as I did, that it changes everything.”
“Every month at the Foreshore Markets in Port Macquarie, the E-Club’s Krispy Kreme donut sales have become a community institution. What makes it special isn’t just the delicious donuts – it’s knowing that every dollar goes directly to youth development programs like NYSF, RYLA, and RYPEN. We’ve raised thousands of dollars while bringing the community together. The Harry Potter themed donuts sold out in minutes! This is grassroots fundraising at its finest.”
“The E-Club’s sponsorship of students in the district public speaking competition gives young people a platform to develop confidence and communication skills. Watching our sponsored student Rudy deliver his speech about social media at the regional competition was inspiring. The club doesn’t just write a cheque, they turn up, they volunteer to provide morning tea, and they genuinely invest in these young people’s success. That’s the Rotary difference.”
“As an e-club operating across New South Wales from Newcastle to the Gold Coast, the E-Club of District 9660 proves that Rotary can adapt to modern life without losing its heart. Hybrid meetings mean members can participate from anywhere, international partnerships like the one with our South African sister club happen seamlessly via Zoom, and projects reach communities across the entire mid-north coast. The E-Club model isn’t the future of Rotary , it’s Rotary meeting the present where people are.”
“The Rouse Kids Program has been absolutely transformational for our primary school. Our students have learned what it means to serve others through projects like fundraising for the Koala Hospital, tree planting for koala habitat, and even supporting families in Chiang Mai through the international pig donation project. Beyond the state championship wins in soccer and netball, the kids have developed confidence, leadership skills, and a genuine sense of social responsibility. This is Rotary making a real difference in young lives.”
