Youth Programs

The Rotary Club of Colac Otway gives young local residents the chance to participate in a range of enriching and invaluable programs, often at little or no cost to the participants or their families.

Our Youth programs include:

RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Award
The Rotary Youth Leadership Award is an inspiring and challenging personal development and leadership program for young people 18 to 25 years. The week-long camp at Kangaroobie is more than just a program — it’s a transformative journey. It empowers participants to step forward, embrace their potential, and make meaningful contributions in their own communities.

NYSF - National Youth Science Forum
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a not-for-profit organisation that runs a number of programs to encourage young people in their passion for science. The Year 12 Program gives students who are about to start Year 12 a broader understanding of study and career options available in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In 2027, the program will run two summer sessions at the Australian National University in Canberra and the University of Queensland.

Defying the Drift
Defying the Drift aims to encourage, motivate and enthuse young Australian men and women to explore options, formulate goals and implement strategies to assist in their development of a career in regional and rural Australia. The two-part program includes a Residential Course at Longerenong College Horsham, where students will learn about agricultural career pathways, from hands-on farming to research and many options in between.

Youth Exchange
The Rotary Youth Exchange is a global student program run by Rotary International for high school students aged 15 to 19. Each year, around 9,000 young people travel abroad to live with host families, attend local schools, and learn a new language and culture.