Rotaract Club of Narrabri roars into action

The new Rotaract Club of Narrabri has roared into action, holding its first event.

Young Rotaractors organised a trivia night recently at the Tourist Hotel to introduce the community to the organisation.

The club has also now been granted its certificate of organisation and will be officially chartered by the Rotary Club of Narrabri at a later date.

Executive officers have also been elected, with Sam Werleman serving as president, Sophie Scott as secretary and Shaigh Thompson as treasurer. James Duncan is Rotaract’s RYLA committee chair and other club members include Joe Roy, Jenny Fowler, Eden Rozendaal, Will Sharpe, Rachael Scott, Jesse Strong and Immy Taylor.

Rotaract president Sam Werleman, who spearheaded the club’s formation in Narrabri, said their first event was an enormous success with 60 people attending.

“We were blown away by the response,” she said.

“We had to turn groups away.

“We are going to look at doing more social events like this, just to get people together and talk about what Rotaract is and what we are doing.”

Shaun Donnan, Steven Rees, Kent Baker, Louise Monticone, Pita Alconda and Jake Tester. Shaun Donnan, Steven Rees, Kent Baker, Louise Monticone, Pita Alconda and Jake Tester.

Will Guest, Doug Bruce, Natalia McInnes and Dos Bruce. Will Guest, Doug Bruce, Natalia McInnes and Dos Bruce.

Jane Phillips, Blake Jarrett, Jake Brayshaw and Matthew Edmonds. Jane Phillips, Blake Jarrett, Jake Brayshaw and Matthew Edmonds.

Stephan van Heerden, Daniel and Tara Whiley, Luke Kelly, Katie Broughton, Tim Boehm and Nick Buchanan. Stephan van Heerden, Daniel and Tara Whiley, Luke Kelly, Katie Broughton, Tim Boehm and Nick Buchanan.

George Scilley, Bonnie Mayers, Kirsty Kneale and John Affleck. George Scilley, Bonnie Mayers, Kirsty Kneale and John Affleck.

Emma Whitton, Robbie Davies, Will Dryer, Declan Ackers and Kinlee Hill. Emma Whitton, Robbie Davies, Will Dryer, Declan Ackers and Kinlee Hill.

Beau Tomlinson, Cooper Brayshaw, Danny Laws, Neil Brayshaw and Steve Lubke. Beau Tomlinson, Cooper Brayshaw, Danny Laws, Neil Brayshaw and Steve Lubke.

Joshua Killerby, Courtney Noble, Jack Squire, Mel Brown, Lilly Cruckshank and Xavier Dean. Joshua Killerby, Courtney Noble, Jack Squire, Mel Brown, Lilly Cruckshank and Xavier Dean.

Alex Pay and Dave Reinke. Alex Pay and Dave Reinke.

Rotaract Club of Narrabri members at the club's recent trivia night - Joe Roy, Jesse Strong, Sam Werleman and Will Sharpe. Rotaract Club of Narrabri members at the club's recent trivia night - Joe Roy, Jesse Strong, Sam Werleman and Will Sharpe.

The group is especially interested in encouraging young people to take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).

RYLA is aimed at personal and professional development, as well as developing leadership skills.

Ms Werleman is a past RYLA participant and has described the experience as eye-opening.

Fellow Rotaractor James Duncan is also a past RYLA participant.

“We already have members who are keen to go to RYLA,” Ms Werleman said.

She will return to RYLA this year in a leadership capacity and is looking forward to the experience.

Following on from the trivia night, Ms Werleman said Rotaract has had people inquire about the group.

“I’ve been quite surprised about people’s interest,” she said.

“People want to know what it is about. Word is definitely getting out there.”

The next step for the club is for it to become incorporated so it can become an official body and start working on some exciting projects.