Reyna Sommerville has returned to Bellingen after spending 12 months in France.  While on exchange, Reyna also visited Spain, Switzerland, Monaco, Austria, Germany and Italy.  While there Reyna had the opportunity to visit many of Europe’s famous historical sights as well as its picturesque landscapes, museums, chateaux and art galleries.  She spent time in Paris but her favourite city was Venice and she loved the turquoise mountain lakes in the Alps.

Reyna spent most of her exchange in the Jura region of France where she lived with four different families.  Her first host family was in the town of Foncine-Le-Haut which is high in the mountains.  While there Reyna learnt to cross country ski and to speak French as the family spoke very little English.  Her second family lived in Le Nans, and they took Reyna to Italy for a holiday to a small lake town north of Milan.  She was also hosted by families in Arbois and Le Pasquier, and spent time living in a chateau built before Captain Cook reached Australia.

Reyna attended a senior high school, a Lycee, while on exchange and was very proud that, at the end of her stay, she passed her exam in French literature based entirely on French texts.  She also ate frog’s legs and snails and really enjoyed absorbing the entire French cultural experience, particularly shopping in Paris for clothes.

Reyna was guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Bellingen, her club sponsor, and told the members that her exchange was the greatest experience of her life.  After the 12 months she wanted to return to her family but she did not want to leave France or rather that she wanted to bring France back to Australia.

Reyna has had a unique experience that will stay with her for ever, an experience that is available through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program (YEP) for students aged between 15 and 19.  Information about overseas exchanges can be found on the Rotary web site.

During the January break from school, local girl Megan Telford attended the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), held in Canberra each year as part of the Rotary Youth Program.  Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bellingen, Megan attended the two week forum which aims to give very talented senior science students an introduction into the possibilities of a career in modern science.

On returning to Bellingen, Megan spoke to the Rotary Club telling the members that the forum was an amazing experience - an experience that allowed her to meet like-minded students and world-renowned scientists.  Megan was also able to explore facilities like Geoscience Australia and the labs at the Australian War Memorial and ANU, attend lectures given by scientists who are world leaders in their field, and even debate the ethical issues raised by many new discoveries.

As well as attending lectures, exploring facilities and participating in laboratory experiments, the students participated in a video conference with CERN (home of the world’s largest particle accelerator) - an exclusive opportunity which allowed them some insight into the ground breaking research being undertaken at the facility.  They also attended a Climate Change Forum with Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg who is a globally recognised expert, particularly on the effects that climate change is having on coral reefs.

The aim of these very select forums (three were held this year; two in Canberra and one in Perth) is to present the possibilities of a career in science to high calibre students.  Megan was selected from over 7000 candidates from the 23 Rotary Districts in Australia, one of only 150 selected from NSW.

After the Forum, Megan reported that she had an amazing experience - one which opened up the endless possibilities of the diversity of a career in science.  She is not yet sure which area she wants to study and, as she very excitedly told the members of Rotary, her field might not yet be discovered, and that in five years she might be involved in ground-breaking research in a totally new field.  However, after participating in the National Youth Science Forum, this exceptional young Bellingen student is convinced that her future lies within the ever-evolving realms of Science.

The photo shows Megan receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for her presentation, from Vice-President and Treasurer, Diana Christian.

Rotary ShelterBoxes are a compact unit developed so that emergency equipment can be supplied to any area around the world where a disaster has occurred.  So far over 2000 Shelter Boxes have been dispatched to Haiti but many more are needed.

A Rotary Shelter Box is a sturdy plastic box that includes a ten-man tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, water purification tablets, tools, supplies and protective gear, all designed to provide the basic necessities for a family to last until further assistance can reach the devastated area.  Each box can be carried by a man, or a small woman and a child, and is designed to bring immediate relief.

The disaster in Haiti has left thousands of people without essential basic needs.  They need shelter, clean water, food and all the basic requirements of life.  Rotary ShelterBoxes can provide these needs until more permanent help can be established.

Shelter Boxes are purchased by Rotary Clubs around the world and stored at convenient locations ready for use.  The Rotary Club of Bellingen has purchased Shelter Boxes for previous disasters including the horrific ‘Victorian Bush Fires’.  At present the club is raising funds to assist the people of Haiti and to replace the stock of standby Shelter Boxes.  Each Shelter Box costs $1200 and the Rotary Club of Bellingen would welcome any donations towards this very needy cause.  Donations can be made through BCU.  Please make sure that it is specified that the donation is for ‘ShelterBoxes’.

Applications are now open for the 2010 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) to be held at Port Macquarie in April 2010.

 RYLA is a 7-day residential program for young people between 18 and 25.  The program aims to encourage and develop leadership and social skills that will assist participants make a contribution to their community.  The program is designed to encourage leadership of local youth by their peers and to encourage local youth to put something back into their community.

The course provides skills in many areas including understanding human behaviour, social interaction, committee functions, human values, leadership, presentation skills and public speaking, lifestyle issues, communication and organisation.  These skills help the participants become better community members, more productive individuals and better employees.

The object of RYLA is to empower each participant with management and leadership skills, which will assist them to become effective leaders within their own communities at youth level and beyond.

In 2009 the Rotary Club of Bellingen sponsored local girl, Rebecca Newcombe, to attend the program.  Rebecca is a very active member of the Urunga SES.  Rebecca found the experience to be amazing and she learned a great deal about herself as well as learning new leadership skills.  Rebecca has been able to bring the skills that she acquired back for the benefit of the whole community through her work in the SES, whether it is attending car accidents, working with flood victims or merely getting a cat out of a tree.  Rebecca has since earned an award for her work with the SES and has taken on a leadership role within the organisation.

The Rotary Club of Bellingen is proud to have sponsored Rebecca and is looking for any committed young person who would benefit from Rotary Leadership training who is interested in attending RYLA in 2010.  Nominations from employers or community group leaders or from young locals will be accepted.  Please phone 6655 0217 for more details.