The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a nomination process for residential seminars which began in Australia in Brisbane in the 1950s and is now run by Rotary clubs for young people throughout the world.

The benefits of developing leadership skills and making connections are felt at the intensive retreats with inspirational speakers and community leaders contributing to what amounts to a week-long personal development course.

Building communication and problem-solving skills, learning from community leaders by discovering strategies for becoming a dynamic leader, and turning motivation into action is the core aim.

Participants from ages 14-30 are nominated from localities around the globe.

Typically the retreats last between 3-10 days and include presentations, activities and workshops covering a variety of topics.

At this year’s RYLA event, brother and sister duo Angus and Imogen Taylor from Narrabri attended the Rotary District 9660 RYLA camp held at Lake Keepit Sport and Recreation Centre from April 29 to May 6.

Imogen, 20, was attending the camp for the second year running – this time as a leader.

Currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing, Midwifery at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney, Imogen was delighted to be invited to return to the Lake Keepit camp.

“I had to fill out an extensive application form to return as a leader”, explained Imogen.

“Applications go to the RYLA management panel for discussion and a vote for who they think is best suited for the role. I was one of four leaders selected from a group of 40 applicants.

“Returning to RYLA as a leader in 2023 has been an absolutely amazing experience.

“Coming away from RYLA in 2022 I had felt like a totally different person,” she said.

“I had an increased sense of self and my direction in life, and the person that I aspired to be became much clearer.

“I met so many absolutely amazing people from all over the district, many of whom I consider to be some of my closest friends.

“Reflecting on my time at RYLA, I have many fond memories.

“Having attended RYLA for the past two years, I have had so many great experiences and opportunities.

“I feel better equipped to tackle any challenge that might come my way.

“I have learnt to deal with different personalities, a skill that will be extremely beneficial and will follow through into my chosen career.

“This year’s event has been a great opportunity for me to continue my own personal development.

“I’m so grateful to be able to have all of these amazing opportunities at such a young age.

“Self-reflection and goal setting are two things that really stood out to me at RYLA.

“These are often the last thing on our busy minds. Something that most of us don’t think twice about.

“Returning to Sydney after my week at RYLA I now have goals set that are steps towards my ‘big’ picture – what I hope to achieve in my life.

“I now take the time every night before I go to bed to reflect on my day – what I achieved, anything that stood out to me, and the things I hope to achieve the next day.

“Attending RYLA in both 2022 and 2023 highlighted to me that I’m on the right path and it has encouraged me to keep going.

“To keep striving to be the best version of myself, to try new things, put myself out there and to really live life to the fullest.”

Angus, 21, is currently undertaking his second year of study in Bachelor of Construction Management at Newcastle University whilst working for his father’s earthmoving business.

Attending the RYLA camp this year with sister Imogen as a leader, Angus feels the leaders provide an environment that facilitates self-growth, awareness of one’s own leadership skills, and realising your full potential.

“On arrival we were greeted by our team leaders and shown to our rooms.

“My inability to pack appropriately was highlighted when it took around half an hour to carry three bags and a wardrobe of clothes on coat hangers into the room,” Angus said.

“At first, my other roommates were quiet and reserved.

“This was an easy first challenge I tried to resolve by joking around with everyone trying to break the ice,” he continued.

“Over the coming days we would all become great mates and were able to open up to one another about what we liked or didn’t like that particular day.

“We also shared the learnings and experiences we had already been through in our personal lives.

“Being surrounded by such a great group of blokes made the week a lot easier and took the edge off any daunting tasks that we were faced with.

“During the RYLA camp I had the opportunity to complete a range of activities including building towers with newspaper, tape and straws, rafts, sailing, mud runs as well as listening to a range of guest speakers surrounding mental health, life experiences and the importance of developing self-confidence.

“These activities demonstrated the importance of working in teams and evaluating the strengths and weaknesses, of yourself and others, to effectively delegate tasks.

“A highlight of the week was sailing with three other team mates on the lake.

“The windy conditions allowed us to get our little vessel motoring along the water.

“During the sailing activity it was important that all of us worked together to make sure we didn’t capsize, or alternatively sit still on the water for two hours.

“The annual RYLA dinner held at Tamworth West Leagues Club was one of the best experiences of the week, as all participants had the opportunity to meet other Rotarians and community members who had a keen interest in RYLA.

“It was amazing to hear everyone’s different life experiences.

“Being chosen as one of two people invited to deliver a three-minute speech at the dinner was an honour and a great experience for me,” he said.

“At RYLA I made myself a goal to meet with other community leaders and Rotarians who are also passionate about seeing change in our local area.

“I started this off by meeting with Murray O’Keefe in Gunnedah, who is a Rotarian and local councillor.”

Angus also received a call from the NSW Cancer Council with an invitation to attend as one of the judges at the dancing ‘Stars of Narrabri’ event which was held on Saturday, June 24.

“This came about after I was introduced to a member of Cancer Council Australia at the RYLA dinner, who later contacted me about the opportunity.

“Attending RYLA was an honour and I sincerely thank the Rotary Club of Narrabri for my nomination, it was an experience I’ll never forget.”

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