Wagga Wollundry

Lauren Slater spoke at Wagga Wollundry Rotary about RYLA. 

 

Lauren began her presentation by saying that RYLA is a youth programme that she is very passionate about.  She said that when she attended RYLA, it was a week that changed her life. She went on to join Rotary and wanted to make a difference.

 

It is a program that is for young people, 18 to 28. It is a week long programme, very intensive, very tiring, but very rewarding.  It is a combination of speakers, day trips and physical activities. 

 

This year RYLA will be held April 13th to April 18^th.  It is the last year for some time that it will be held in Wagga. 

 

RYLA is about leadership, fun, teamwork and community.  RYLA is a good opportunity to recruit young people into Rotary. It encourages participants to get involved in knowing people. She spoke about the anthem for the week as being written to the tune of “I am, You are, we are Australians!”  By the end of the week, they are singing it in their sleep! Some of RYLA’s favourite speakers are John Egan and Mark Hillis. She spoke of Charles Hardy from Century 21 Realty who flew in from Sydney and has spoken at the last 17 RYLA functions. He is one of the most inspiring speakers that RYLA has heard. The week also included one day at Kapooka Army Base.