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For more information please e-mail:
Calendar of Events
FORMS
YEP Application Form
YEP Long Term Application Form
Notes to assist Long Term Application Form
Travel Request Form
YEP Brochure
YEP Brochure - Invitation to Become a Host Family
1st Night Questions
Map of District 9640
YEP Monthly Report Form (Word doc.)
D9640 YEP Bulletin Page
D9640 Youth Programs Page
 We
seek suitably qualified young people to participate in a program which offers students aged 16 - 18 years, an opportunity to live in another country for up to 12 months and participate in the
family, academic and community life of that country. The committee selects
and trains out bound students; organises and counsels inbound students
and counsels rebound students who participate in the program.
For information contact
ChaIrmaN
Mal Strachan
07 5543 8171..........Jimboomba
Secretary
Denise Payne (Ken)
07 5539 1041.......... Ashmore
Treasurer
Claudia Anstey (John)
07 5598 6885 .......... Kirra Currumbin
DGN Sandra Doumany
COuNTry COuNSEllOrS
Brazil & Mexico
Rick Jewson (Ingrid)
0433 173 648 .......... Hope Island
Belgium/Switzerland
Gary Knuckey (Meralyn)
0419 960 966 .......... Mudgeeraba
Canada/USA
Rhonda Doherty (Kieran)
0407 619 024 .......... Warwick
Denmark/Ecuador
Ken Payne (Denise)
0414 791 195 .......... Nerang
France/South Africa
Daniel Spry (Michelle)
07 4661 9699 .......... Warwick Sunrise
Germany
Kieran Doherty (Rhonda)
0407 619 024 .......... Warwick
Sweden/Norway/Japan
David Thompson (Leila)
0409 902 538 .......... Grafton Midday
aaSES (Acceptance Advice for Secondary Exchange Students)
Sue Lloyd (Robert)
0429 395 336 .......... Alstonville
CERTIFICATION
Youth Exchange Requirements for Rotary Clubs
Youth Exchange Information for Host Families
Youth Exchange Certification Summary
Rotary Volunteer Information & Declaration Form
Queensland Volunteer Declaration Form
NSW Volunteer Declaration Form
Hopping Mag contact - Russell Morgan
or go to
Hopping Mag Web Site
ROTEX
Returned exchange students alumni. Provides assistance to District
Youth Exchange committee as well as being a contact for rebound students.
Archived articles:
July 2010
April 2010
November 2009
September 2009
August 2009
April 2009
February 2009
January 2009
August 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
October 2007
May 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
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Sat Jul 10, 2010
Youth Exchange Student named Paul Harris Fellow
The Changeover night for the Rotary Club of Murwillumbah Central was notable for the recognition of Youth Exchange Student Mikkel Norinder as a Paul Harris Fellow, the first award to be given to an exchange student by the club which has named sixty-one Paul Harris Fellows over the life of the club.
The naming of a Youth Exchange Student a Paul Harris Fellow appears to be rare in Rotary, at least in Australia.
Mikkel has been hosted by Murwillumbah Central for his twelve months on exchange in Australia from his home in Denmark.
"His participation in all activities of the club and the Youth Exchange Program has been excellent," said President Tony Worrad at the Changeover Dinner.
"Mikkel has been an outstanding representative for Rotary, his sponsor club, and for the Youth Exchange Program," said President Tony. "He showed interest in every activity of the club, worked at every working bee we held, and helped at our regular weekly sausage sizzle whenever he was available. He assisted our Sergeant-at-Arms at meetings, regularly proposing fines and participating in every club meeting when he was available. He initiated and assisted with fund-raising for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal, and at Youth Exchange camps and events he seemed a natural popular leader among the group of students."
"When discussing plans for the Changeover, we arranged the date to be prior to his departure home, to ensure every member and partner could farewell Mikkel, such is his popularity with members," said President Tony.
"We wish him a long connection with Rotary as he has potential to become a natural leader, with his personality and his ability to mix with people of all ages, as well as his peers. Mikkel has made lifetime friendships with his host families and with many in our local community," said Tony.
Several members made personal presentations to Mikkel prior to his departure, and he plans to return in the future as he has not visited Uluru, which remains an ambition to complete.
Photo caption - Mikkel proudly displays his Paul Harris Fellow certificate, wearing the PHF pin on his youth exchange jacket.
Mon Apr 26, 2010
Youth Exchange student experiences Anzac Day in France
ANZAC Day. Villers Bretonneux. France. 2010.
It was simply one of those moments that takes your breath away. As the Last Post sounded, followed by one minute silence you could have heard a pin drop amongst the tens of thousands of Australian and French citizens. As an Australian I felt incredibly honoured to be able to stand on the battle fields of the western front to mark ANZAC Day 2010 at dawn. The townsfolk of Villers Bretonneux in nothern France are forever grateful for the sacrifice that Ausralians made to save their town in the Battle of the Western Front. It was an incredibly moving ceremony and thanks to my host family who made it possible for me to attend. Look out for me on tv, I also had an interview with channel 7. Simon Locke, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Warwick Sunrise to Belgium.
Tue Nov 17, 2009
Youth Exchange is very popular in Warwick
Youth Exchange is very active in Warwick. Last weekend a number of Outbound and Inbound students held a special sausage sizzle to support Youth Exchange in the town.
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In our photo Outbounders Sophie Williams, Amy Barclay, Danielle Dwan, Simon Locke, Olivia Wornham, Jarien Long and Aaron Stevens. Belgium Inbounder Sara Van Lergberghe and a friend also helped out
More...
Wed Sep 02, 2009
The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands - It may well be that the future of Rotary is in our wonderful youth programs
SEPTEMBER is NEW GENERATIONS MONTH
A fortnight ago, in mid August, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting in Evanston, Ill., of the four Chairs of Rotary’s youth programs: Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Youth Exchange. As Rotary International’s travel budget cuts had prevented the full Committees of the four youth programs meeting, President Kenny considered it important enough that if the Committees couldn’t meet, the four Chairs should. It turned out to be a very productive meeting but nothing lesser could have been expected.
I encourage you all to read President Kenny’s remarks at the commencement of New Generations Month in the September 2009 edition of The Rotarian, Rotary Down Under or online. In it, he rightfully observes that our youth programs “are some of the most important programs of Rotary.” Through these programs, we have a unique opportunity to impact upon the lives of young people in so many ways – students in schools and communities who belong to Interact Clubs, Rotaractors in one of 7,500 Clubs around the world, as a participant in a RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) program or as one of 8000 young people who are youth exchange students in any given year. Lifelong connections and enduring relationships are formed, many of them cross-cultural, through participation in these programs which, in turn, have a lasting impact on peace and harmony between the nations of the world and their people.
Rotary has thirteen official programs and four of them are youth focused. But each of them should not be viewed in isolation. The four youth programs cover an age range of 14 to 30, the years of adolescence and young adulthood, and each is linked with the other in so many ways. Interactors can become Rotaractors as well as being youth exchange students or be a member of a youth exchange host family. Some RYLA programs around the world automatically include youth exchange students in their program whilst we hope that all our youth alumni will become Rotarians. They are our Rotarians of the future.
President Kenny has chosen as his theme for the year “The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands”. It may well be that the future of Rotary is in our wonderful youth programs. Let’s integrate our youth programs into our Clubs and our lives as Rotarians. Talk to your District New Generations Chair about Rotary’s four youth programs and sign up with Rotary International to receive the New Generations and Youth Exchange e-newsletters. Not only will we help shape the lives of these young people, we will enrich our own lives and the life of our Rotary Clubs.
DGN DAVID ANDERSON
Chairman, RI Youth Exchange Committee 2009-2010
Fri Aug 07, 2009
YEP student Jeanne Pienaar (hosted by Burleigh Club) meets Princess Mary
I am over half way in my exchange year in Denmark and my Danish is fluent enough for me to have felt confident in speaking to PRINCESS MARY in Danish when I saw her at the Royal Danish Ballet Company’s performance recently.
The performance was in the gardens of a palace, the audience sat on picnic rugs while the ballet took place on a stage in front of this beautiful old palace with the sun setting on them. It was just such a beautiful setting and experience. Talking to the Aussie/Danish Princess in Danish in front of a beautiful palace has been the absolute highlight of my exchange thus far.
Below is the front page of my town’s newspaper. The royals are seated with Princess Mary on the far left. I’m in the red jacket sitting next to her on the grass.
Thu Apr 30, 2009
Another proud Australian YEP student
Jenna Arnold, a YEP student in Belgium, hosted by Burleigh Heads Club, sent us the following email describing one of the most amazing days of her life.
"Yesterday I had an incredible expeience, I went to the most AMAZING ANZAC day service in my life. It was in Flanders Fields where the poppies grow and it was incredible! From the time the first service started at dawn (6am) to the time I left the last service (I went to 5 different ones) at 2pm I was in tears at the incredible way that they salute our soldiers here and the amount of respect that they show them.
There are many nationalities who fought in the battle of Ypres, but it is the Australian Soldier who is recognised and saluted above all the rest. Not only on ANZAC day, but all year round. "They shall not grow old, as those who are left behind grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them. Lest We Forget." This along with the Last Post and the Australian, New Zeland and Belgian national anthems are performed in Ypres every night at 8pm, every day of the year, without fail, as a constant reminder of the war that was said to be the war to end all wars and the soldiers who died to protect the rights and liberties of Australians.
Yesterday I felt more pride than I ever thought I could feel to be an Australian. I wore my Rotary jacket along with the other Australian students who thought that it was important to go. Only seven of us out of over 20. I was very disappointed at the turn out, but I suppose you can't force patriotism on those who just don't understand. The seven of us were asked to march in the parade with the Official Party and were escorted by bagpipes and a brass band. After this myself and two other Aussies were given the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the Australian exchange students. We also had our photo taken for the local newspaper due to our Rotary jackets and the way that we conducted ourselves in the ceremony.
It was really a very emotional day for me and I am so very glad that I had the chance to see it. It pulled at the strongest of my heart strings to see just how much the Autralian soldier is respected here and made me feel so very lucky and proud to call myself an Australian. I also managed to speak to a man who is a foreign affairs officer from Australia and he was so impressed by the initiative we took going all the way there off our own steam and not saying it was too hard. I was so impressed by the conduct of every other Australian there, even the loud drunk ones who just came for the weekend shut their mouths and seemed to be really moved by the service. It was the most amazing experience of my life and I am so glad to have had the chance to do it.
Fri Feb 20, 2009
Kahli, our YEP student from Yamba is having a great time in Paris
One of our current Outbound YEP students - Kahli Dawkings from Yamba has only been in France for four weeks but has already seen a lot of Paris. Kahli sent the following email and photos: After only 2 weeks at my new French school I then had 2 weeks school holidays (because of the different school year, it is the half term break!). The first week was fairly quiet catching up on sleep, practicing my violin, reading, craft, catching up with friends, and a very small amount of homework!
But then my holidays got very exciting! I had a 4 day intensive " tourist destination exploration" trip to Paris and Versaille. This was excellent! With my host family, the Gauthier's I visited: The Eiffel Tour, The Arc De Triomphe, the Louvre, The invalid, Monte Marte, the Gendarmerie, Notre Dame of Paris, the grounds of the Museum of Arms, and the Versaille Palace. I can tell you that it was A LOT of walking, but truly amazing to see these famous, historically and culturally important sites!
One of my favourite visits was the Arc de Triomphe. We climbed the many stairs to the top where there is a panoramic view of Paris. It is one of the only places that you can see most of the city and really gauge it's immensity! I also enjoyed the tour of the Gendarmerie (basically a gaol) as it had re-creations of each type of the cells (for the lower class, the upper class and the famous prisoners) and also a re-creation of the cell of Queen Marie Antoinette!
Sat Jan 03, 2009
January is a very busy month for Youth Exchange....
In the next three weeks the YEP Committee members will all be very busy travelling to and from the Brisbane Airport.
There are 19 students from our District preparing to return home to Australia after their 12 months exchange - a further 25 packing (and weighing) their bags ready to depart on their 12 months exchange - as well as 6 more students (from Brazil, Mexico and Switzerland) about to arrive in the District to commence their exchange.
These are just some of the 8,000 strong contingent of students that travel overseas each year to experience a different culture through a Rotary Youth Exchange..... “What a wonderful opportunity I was given, from both the Rotary club and my family, to spread my wings, taste the culture, and live the life.” – U.S. exchange student to Australia
In February it all starts again with Clubs seeking applicants for exchange for the 2010 year!!! The YEP Committee is seeking Expressions of Interest from clubs willing to be involved and host both an outbound and inbound student in 2010.
YEP student Aidan May experiences his first White Christmas in France
Aidan May, hosted by the Rotary Club of Mudgeeraba is about to finish his 12 month exchange in France and he has written to us to tell us about his experiences at Christmas in a different culture on the other side of the world.
"Attached are some photos of my Christmas in France - the first one is my extended host family preparing our Christmas lunch, there was 21 of us. It was very nice to meet all the family. It reminded me of home because we also usually have our numbers in the late 20's at Christmas meals also. Everyone was very happy and chatty, it was a very nice atmosphere to have on Christmas Day.
The second is me with my host mother and brother. We were out visting the parents of my host dad. They lived further out in the country and the scenery was very beautiful because we had a small coverage of snow just that morning - so I was very lucky to have a white Christmas. This winter it has snowed more than usual, and I am very happy to have these memories to take home with me to keep me cool as I will be going back to 35 degree heat!
One week left!!
A bientot,
Aidan May
Tue Aug 12, 2008
YEP student Ella Horton becomes a 'Citizen of the World'.
The opportunities that come with being a Rotary exchange student are really so wonderful. How else would I have had the chance to wave the Swedish flag proudly in a parade through the middle of a small sea town on the west coast? I am truly in awe of all the wonderful things I am doing and seeing in Sweden.
When I made the decision to become an exchange student last year, I knew that I would get the opportunity to discover a completely new country, not just as a tourist, but as a local. What I didn’t realise was that I would also have the opportunity to discover other countries, so far removed from my previous life and experiences at home in Australia. I truly have become a ‘citizen of the world’ and am enjoying my new found internationalism.
I feel that I now have a deeper understanding, not only of myself as a person, but of others and the world around me. I know, however, that I have only just scraped the surface. There is so much out there for me to see and be a part of – it is just waiting for me to find it and capture it. So yes, after this month I have most definitely caught the so-called ‘travel bug’. While I am still so excited about living in Sweden and discovering more of what it has to offer, I now have the drive and passion to visit other countries.
This month we joined Lars-Magnus, the president of the Ljungskile Rotary club, to celebrate Sweden’s national day. After Swedish flags were handed out to all, we began a small march through the town towards the local community centre. We then spent the next hour listening to traditional Swedish folk music, watching traditional Swedish folk dancing and listening to a few speeches including one from Lars-Magnus
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