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President Rohan opened the meeting with the Welcome to Country greeting and welcomed our guest, Lauren Marquet, Mercy in Action Leader and Languages Teacher at St Aloysius College, North Melbourne. President Rohan then ushered Chairperson Kerrie to the lectern, and she reminded us of the important work we do as Rotarians and acknowledged our parent organisation: Rotary International. Unexpectedly, our guest speaker, youth worker, multidisciplinary artist, community facilitator based in Melbourne’s western suburbs, 2024 RMIT Vocational Education Student of the Year, recipient of the Ian Angus OAM Prize, and the 2025 RMIT Vocational Education Award winner, Akwal Magek did not attend our meeting. We hope she did not encounter any mishap which prevented her from presenting at our meeting. This paved the way for our very own Therese Robinson, Youth Service Committee Chair, to present and share with the meeting her committee’s plan for 2025/2026. The Rotary Central Melbourne Youth Service Committee supports the following District 9800 programs: Program | Target | 2025-2026 | Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) | - Held annually
- Weekend camp for 15 – 17-year-olds in years 9 – 11 at school
- Focused on participants developing their potential
| 5 – 7 Sep | Rotary Youth Leadership Program (RYLA) | - Held annually
- 7-day residential leadership seminar for 18 – 25-year-olds
- For aspiring young leaders
| Dec 2025 | National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) | - Held annually
- Two-week residential program at Australian National University
- Provides a broader understanding of study and career options in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
| Jan 2026 | Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) | - Held annually
- Weekend event, years 10 – 12 students represent UN countries
- Helps build research, debating and public speaking skills
| Apr 2026 |
Requests for financial support to participate in these programs are received from all corners of the country and the Board of Rotary Central Melbourne direct a portion of the club’s funds to be set aside as budget items to assist with financial support for applicants. The club manages the following existing youth projects and partnerships: Project/Partnership | Program | About | Silk-Miller Scholarship | Victoria Police | Provides a scholarship to a serving member to study | Hope for the Future Scholarships | Concern Australia | Provides scholarships to support disadvantaged children to stay in school | Ian Angus Scholarships | RMIT | Recognises outstanding young people in VET |
As with all endeavours, and especially within a non-profit organisation, run by volunteers, there are challenges but also opportunities. Therese shared but three of the more salient opportunities and pressing challenges: Challenge | Opportunities | Supporting young people for the youth program | - Relationship with St Aloysius in its infancy
- Exploring Victoria Police Legacy
- District ‘orphans’
- Multicultural Youth Network
- RCM Members
| Alternative funding sources | - District Foundation grants being explored for Silk-Miller, Ian Angus bequest
- Balwyn Centenary Grants being explored for Silk-Miller
| Expand selection of youth programs | - Consider if other district programs might be of value and interest to stakeholders, eg. science experience
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This detailed and comprehensive dive into the Youth Service plan for this Rotary Year, prompted several questions and comments from attendees, including reference to program alumni being sought to act as potential mentors an guides to current participants (John Ilott), a question about potential Rotaract initiatives which may lend support to participants (Peter Duras), and additional supporting input about mechanics and logistics of the program (Neville John). The meeting greatly appreciated the detailed plan and overview presented, in addition to Therese’s insights regarding both challenges and opportunities, as well as the potential for broadening the offerings with scope for additional partnerships. At this point, the Chair deftly segued to introduce our guest visitor. Lauren joined St Aloysius earlier this year 10 years of teaching French and Italian at Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidelberg. She started in the profession in her early 30s after a fun career in International Tourism Marketing with Tourism Victoria and living in various countries. Lauren is all about action and collaboration. With a current student population of 680, expected to grow to 800 by 2026 and swell to 1,000 in three years, collaboration with partners will be crucial to sustain the school’s delivery of programs that benefit its students. Lauren shared with us her Rotary “pedigree”: her father was a Rotarian, she travelled to Belgium on exchange, she was president of a Rotaract Club and all-round veteran volunteer. In 2023 the college opened its doors to its first co-educational Year 7 cohort, receiving overwhelming support from parents, students, and staff. This united effort is creating an environment where students can thrive academically, personally, and socially. As a Catholic school in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, St Aloysius Catholic College exemplifies the wide-ranging benefits that extend beyond academics. Grounded in the Mercy Education values of compassion, justice, hospitality, service, respect, and courage, students are empowered to flourish in mind, body, and spirit. These values shape them into well-rounded individuals who are equipped to competently navigate the ever-evolving complexities of the modern world. It is rather timely to have Lauren attend as a guest of Rotary Central Melbourne and talk about the work St Aloysius does; our members are now exposed to added opportunities to make a difference and improve the young lives of these school children. And for Lauren, who sees the critical channels that partner networks provide, sharing her and the school’s plans, goals and vision creates an exciting opportunity for sustained engagement between RCM and St Aloysius. Lauren’s overview prompted an insightful Q&A session: 1. Peter Duras: In an age of increasing sensitivity with careful use of language, how is much-needed resilience and self-confidence nurtured in young lives when faced with over-sensitive parents? Lauren Marquet (LM): Very carefully and delicately; some nascent programs fail to thrive due to an offended parent. This makes the work of the school that much more difficult. 2. Peter Duras: What has been the effect of the transition to a co-ed environment (from a once girl-only school)? LM: The transition has been fascinating but teachers need support to manage it effectively. 3. Neville John (comment): A reminder that next month Mental Health Week will function as a reminder of the need to develop resilience and support others in building resilience. Resilience is not only “being able to cope” and mental resilience is built on social cohesion. 4. Russell Rolls: What do the current crop of year 12 students aspire to be? LM: We are identifying trends in further studies (University and VET) in health, commerce, and international relations mostly. 5. Doug Robertson: Are you seeing a change in demographics at the school because of the departure of residents from the neighbourhood public housing towers? LM: Definitely; it is concerning that we may not be able to maintain connections with families and students as they are required to move away from the school. Lauren thanked the club for the opportunity to share her journey and work at St Aloysius, and the meeting was equally grateful. |
