This Wednesday, we didn’t just have one, but two Guest Speakers. Three actually, if one includes the letter written by Andrew M and read out by KJ. Andrew attended RYLA together with KJ and Sasha, but regrettably was unable to join us. No surprise when you consider his workload: In addition to patrolling with the Surfers Paradise SLSC as a rescue boat operator, Andrew is an Air Force Cadet Instructor, a State Emergency Serviceman and also a part of Crime Stoppers in the Brisbane Area.Sasha, who also was a Youth Exchange Student (to Taiwan), described the experience as “So special. Tough, cold early mornings…” She is quite seriously taken in with RYLA: next year Sasha will be back at the camp again, this time as a leader. “RYLA is a once in a lifetime experience” she said. “It’s impossible to go there and learn nothing.”
And KJ? Many of us know her as the hard working, no-nonsense Rotaractor, active just about every week at the Project Shed, as well as the co-developer of the new Wheelchair Trust website. So it came as a bit of a surprise to your Editor to see her becoming quite emotional, as she recounted her experiences: “I needed this camp more than I thought I did. I needed the chance to forgive and let go. Forgive me for my actions and mistakes, and forgive others for theirs. One of the quotes that has stuck with me the most after my week at camp is "You can't drink poison and expect somebody else to die." It was my time to breathe and take a moment to focus on the positives while also being pushed to other extremes both physically and mentally” she said.
Powerful. Hearing these two young women relate their Rotary Youth Leadership experience once again reaffirmed to us the huge value of Rotary’s Youth programs. Do they make a difference? I don’t think anyone who was there this morning had any doubt. The presentation was supported by a continuous slide show - too big to upload. You should have been there!
Andrew’s letter and KJ’s speech are available for download – see Download section on the right. Photo (from left): Dan Snart - Rotaract Burleigh, KJ Jewson, Sasha Kimber, President Charles Thomasson