Youth leadership delivers benefits

Two former participants in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program outlined the benefits it gave them when they addressed a recent meeting of Warragul Rotary.
Ashley Gillespie and Cassie Leong told members that after undertaking the program for 18 to 30 year olds they decided to remain involved by spending a further week training to become team leaders.
Mr Gillespie and Ms Leong, who were sponsored by the Warragul club, said the leadership program included a range of activities from workshops, team building exercises, outdoor activities and guest speakers presentations that helped them discover their potential and hone their skills.
Both have helped guide this year's participants, Mr Gillespie commenting that "the magic is seeing the walls come down as future leaders gain confidence and discover their capabilities".
Ms Leong spoke about "toolbox sessions" in which teams spent time reflecting on activities and their personal development.
She said she had discovered the importance of allowing silence and understanding of how it provided space for participants to collect their thoughts and give them the courage to speak.
Part of the program is an expo at which Rotary clubs that support participants present club projects.
There was considerable interest in Warragul's project to develop an indigenous art garden.