In late 2019, rural communities in NSW were devastated by drought. No stock, no feed, no water and plummeting morale. Rotarians from Turramurra Rotary Club adopted three towns in the Upper Hunter region, providing vouchers redeemable in local businesses, assistance with community events like a bike ride and a Cuban dance event. Dr Parry Monckton explains where they went, who they met, what they did, why it mattered and its impact. 

Right now around 88 million people around the world have been made homeless by natural disaster and conflict. Shelterbox Australia is working to change this. By providing emergency shelter and tools for families robbed of their homes by disaster, Shelterbox is transforming despair into hope. Mike Greenslade CEO of Shelterbox Australia and a member of Alstonville Rotary Club  is joined by Johanna Johns current President of Beecroft Rotary Club as they explain how the process works, how and where relief is distributed, how it gets there and the role of Rotary in making it all happen. www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au

The National Youth Science Forum delivers immersive and transformative youth-led experiences for young Australians to encourage life long literacy in science, engineering, technology and maths. Lyndall Pearson from St Ives Rotary Club explains how the NYSF works and Kira Trahana, student at Barker College, Sydney describes her experience at NYSF in early 2020, what she did, who she met and the impact that the program has had on her career thinking.

For 26 years Belrose Rotarians have provided a unique opportunity for Yr 11 and 12 students from Peak Hill Central School to spend five days in Sydney, experiencing the attractions but significantly, gaining an insight into the world of work by visiting local businesses and government. They are billeted with local Rotary families. Later in the year a group of Belrose Rotarians reciprocate by visiting Peak Hill and providing insightful career advice as well as guidance on how to apply for a job, resume writing and interview techniques.

Dress for Success provides a network of support, professional attire and the development tools  to help women thrive in work and in life. Through the program, women from all walks of life can acquire thoughtfully curated clothing, shoes and accessories to create the best impression at job interviews. Women also receive career guidance, counselling and training. Online resources like Zoom are used at this time to run workshops including advice on make up. We meet Tanya Jackson-Vaughan, CEO of Dress for Success and also Sue Hayward, a past Rotary  District Governor who explains the link between Rotary and Dress for Success and the development of pop up fashion stores.

Sydney schoolgirl Grace Colville spent 2019 as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Chaumont, northern France. Knowing no French language she quickly immersed herself into the French way of life, staying with host families, attending school, meeting fellow exchange students and travelling widely within Europe. Grace shares her impressions, the lessons learned and the cultural differences between the French and Australians. Her mother Cath Colville provides a parent's perspective and explains how Rotary's history, culture and values assured her that Grace would be in safe hands while overseas. https://rotarydistrict9685.org.au/sitepage/ryep

We meet Kalma McClellan current governor of a large Australian Rotary District, north of Sydney. We learn how and why she joined Rotary and how Kalma  and Rotary have responded to a string of natural disasters occurring in Australia over the summer period. We consider the role of contemporary communications technology and their use as an adjunct to traditional face to face meetings.

We meet Peter Kipps who manages the international projects portfolio for Kuring gai Rotary Club on Sydney's upper north shore.  We learn about Shelterbox, the School for Life in Uganda, the Fiji Electricity project and the club's support for RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, in East Timor. All excellent examples of Rotary quietly going about making a huge difference to people in need. www.kuringgairotary.org 

During the Rotary Program of Youth Enrichment (RYPEN) young people develop increased motivation, improved life skills, better self image, pride in themselves and an understanding of setting and achieving goals. In this episode of Rotary Matters we meet Beau Seale from Empire Bay who not only attended RYPEN  2018 in the Blue Mountains near Sydney but went on to spend 2019 as a Rotary Youth Exchange student, in Austria with a host family, meeting other young Rotarians and even cycling 500 km in five days from Lake Constance back to Vorarlberg in Austria! Amanda Barnes local RYPEN coordinator and International Service Director for Rotary District 9685 tells us how RYPEN is structured, the application process and the benefits. She also explains the emergence of Rotary E-Clubs and reasons for their popularity. www.rotarydistrict9685.org.au Here is an edited version of the program

Successful Australian businessman on a visit to PNG came across piles of unused and unusable medical equipment donated in good faith by Australians. Determined to fix this he arranged for new equipment such as ultrasound and diagnostic machines to be supplied from China and the USA. This generosity has now extended to 63 countries around the world, many in Africa. We meet Dave and his daughter Marnie who explain how it all works, the impact that it has and the way this selfless  gesture changes lives. We also hear about other initiatives in eye surgery and women's health. An inspiring story. www.dak.org.au and www.rawcs.org.au