The award started as a need to build resilience in young people, as seen by teachers and parents in Bairnsdale; to involve them in a direct and positive way; and to use their skills and abilities to benefit both themselves and the local community.
A pilot program called the Community Relations Education was set up.
The results were so positive that the Rotary Club of Mitchell River developed the award as a Rotary project in 1997 targeted only to Year 6 students.
Seymour Rotary Club initiated the award in 2019 and is the only club in the Rotary district stretching from Strathmore to Deniliquin to offer this award.
So what did the students have to do?
• One hour per week community service for 10 weeks.
• One hour per week learning a new skill for 10 weeks.
• Two hours per week physical activity for 10 weeks.
• Maintain their diaries.
• Attend a community meeting and write a report.
• Experience a different culture and write a report.
• Undertake a religious/spiritual experience and write a report.
• Investigate an arts event and present a poster.
• Take part in an environmental project and write a report.
• Attend a community commemoration and write a report.
The five girls who did an amazing effort to complete all requirements and achieve the award were Lilly Fanning and Summer Carrington from St Mary’s College and Chelsea Cummings, Olivia Farley and Bridget Carson from Puckapunyal Primary School.
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