RESULTS from WGM Event#9326 Australia

Rotary Club of Cairns West
District 9560
Number of participants in the event: 75
RYE Aussie BBQ
WGM December Giving Month Campaign.
Total donation to TRF Polio Plus program: US$477.50

Message from Sam Dyer

The Rotary Club of Cairns West proudly hosted an Aussie BBQ on Wednesday 11th December 2024, celebrating the spirit of Rotary and the vibrant Rotary Youth Exchange program. The event gathered Rotarians and participants from District 9560, which encompasses a vast area from Maryborough in the south to Bamaga in the north, and Darwin in the west, covering over 2.1 million square kilometres. This week, the BBQ brought together 10 current inbound exchange students and 14 soon-to-be outbound students, who are preparing for their transformative journeys overseas.

All Rotary exchange students within the district came to Cairns this week for the commencement of their outbound orientation camp. This camp gives a unique opportunity for these young individuals to connect with current inbound students, share experiences, and learn the ins and outs of the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Through activities and workshops, attendees will learn about the importance of cultural exchange, personal growth, and the invaluable lessons that come from living abroad.

Rotary Clubs play a vital role in the success of the exchange program, with each student’s experience supported by two clubs: the outbound exchange student’s “sponsor” club and the inbound student’s “host club.” This dual support system ensures that students receive guidance and encouragement from home while also fostering connections with their new host community—often found on opposite sides of the world.

The Rotary Youth Exchange program is an extraordinarily initiative committed to promoting worldwide peace and understanding. It encourages teenagers to develop a global perspective, establish lifelong friendships, and cultivate empathy by experiencing different cultures first hand. This program not only benefits the students but also enriches the communities they become a part of, fostering a spirit of connection that transcends borders.

The event featured Rotarians from across the region, including members from the Rotary Club of Cairns, Rotary Club of Cairns West, Rotary Club of Cairns Trinity, Rotary Club of Cairns Sunrise, and Rotary Club of Cairns Northern Beaches. Attendees enjoyed a delightful spread of Australian cuisine while celebrating the cultural diversity brought forth by the exchange students, who hailed from countries including Belgium, Czech Republic, Japan, Italy, Finland, Spain, and France.

“This evening was a resounding success, not only in bringing together our wonderful exchange students and Rotarians but also in reinforcing the important work Rotary does in fostering global connections,” said Sam Dyer, President Rotary Club of Cairns West and Group 2 Rotary Youth Exchange Coordinator for District 9560.

Additionally, the BBQ served as a fundraiser for a Rotary program called the “World’s Greatest Meal to Help End Polio.” In 1988, Rotary International took on the challenge of ending polio—a devastating disease that once killed and crippled 320,000 children each year. The World’s Greatest Meal initiative, incorporated and managed by Cairns local Susanne Rea OAM, has now grown to include over 9,000 events worldwide, with a remarkable total of 505,780 individuals taking part in this compelling cause.

As the event concluded, the excitement and enthusiasm among participants were clear, with many expressing their gratitude for the chance to learn and grow through the Rotary Youth Exchange program. It is through these meaningful interactions and shared experiences that we continue to build a brighter, more interconnected world.

For more information about the Rotary Youth Exchange program and the impactful work of Rotary District 9560, please follow “Rotary Youth Exchange – D9560” on facebook or view our website at www.rotary9560.org

Contribution to the polio plus fund: US$477.50, transformed into US$1432.50, with the matching of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, funds for 10,232 Polio vaccines.