Emma Pritchard
It was an exciting time for Grafton Midday Rotary last week.
After formally welcoming their newest member, Jake Kroehnert from Elders Real Estate in Grafton to the club, 2021 Jacaranda Queen Hanna Craig was invited to share her recent experiences following her participation at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) earlier this year at the Bornhoffen PCYC in the Gold Coast hinterland.
An educational and motivational program that aims to promote proactiveness along with personal and professional development, RYLA offers an intensive leadership experience and encourages participants to build successful communication skills and unlock their potential in a supportive environment.
Organised by Rotary clubs for youths and young adults aged between 14 and 30, RYLA participants are nominated by their district clubs after being identified as inspirational representatives of their local communities.
Speaking with members of Grafton Midday Rotary during their recent meeting on April 27, Ms Craig said she was proud to be selected to attend RYLA and to have been sponsored by the local club.
“I utilise the skills I learned from RYLA every single day in my work, home, and professional life,” she said.
“These include associating healthy boundaries with family, friends and work colleagues, and also dealing with uncomfortable confrontations and changing my mindset to achieve a positive outcome.
“We had some amazing motivational speakers share their experiences with us, including a holistic health coach, and it was one of the best weeks of my life.
“Thank you to Grafton Midday Rotary for making it possible.”
2021 Jacaranda Queen candidate Ella Gilbert also participated in RYLA but was unable to attend the meeting last week.
In her absence, Ms Craig shared a message with attendees on her behalf.
“RYLA was honestly a once in a lifetime experience,” she read.
“I feel like a part of myself has been opened up which makes me feel confident and comfortable in myself.
“I know I have the ability to achieve great things and RYLA has made that happen.
“With all the amazing people I met there, I know they will sincerely be lifelong friends.”
For more information about RYLA, please visit www.rotary.org