RYLA is an internationally run Rotary week-long residential program for 18 to 25 year olds, with a focus on encouraging and strengthening young people's leadership skills and personal development. Rotary Melbourne annually supports new young people to participate in this program, as we have since the 1960s.
It encourages emerging and experienced leaders to reflect on their own skills and personal strengths to effectively contribute to their communities in a practical manner. RYLA provides opportunities to share leadership experiences within a diverse group to understand the unique qualities, abilities and skills of others and how this diversity can empower and encourage participants to facilitate teamwork and greater understanding.
As early as the 1940s, members of Rotary Melbourne assisted the YMCA in its leadership courses, and the YMCA was associated with the beginning of RYLA when Rotarian Alex Symons, General Secretary of the Brisbane YMCA, established the first RYLA Seminar in 1960 in Brisbane.
The first RYLA Seminar in Victoria was directed by Rotary Melbourne's John Mitchell, who held the camp outside of Moe in May 1968.
In 1970, the club invited 20 Melbourne youth organisations to nominate applicants and held a week-long seminar at Ormond College, University of Melbourne.
Rotary Melbourne has been involved ever since for over half a century in nominating and supporting young people to be part of RYLA.
For more information or to apply to RYLA, please click on the button below.
