It was a million times crazier than I'd imagined

Ascot Rotary Club provided sponsorship funding to enable Amelie to attend the NYSF in Canberra in January this year.  She was blown away at how amazing the whole experience was.  She and a group of other young people from Western Australia joined a number of other people from all over Australia to engage in activities and experiences that would make make them really think about their understandings and beliefs about many things to do with science.  Amelie and 13 others formed a group  of young people interested in learning more about the earth and the environment.  Her favourite activity was to go fossil hunting, and it must have been successful too as she said her suitcase was full of them when she got home.

 

She really enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with a Rotarian family who looked after her one day in the middle of the program.  There were lots of other highlights too.  She made mention of a couple of speakers who she really enjoyed listening to. 

 

Overall it was an unforgettable experience which was made even more so because of the people she met and interacted with.  Amelie found that it has challenged her to re-think her future plans.  Before going to NYSF she thought she'd become a General Practitioner Doctor, but having been involved in the experience she has now been able to re-focus her energies and ideas.  She wants to combine the passion that she has for sustainability, with her view of health from a holistic viewpoint, and her interest in working with people - in particular young people.  We know that she will be able to do that. 

 

It sounds like you had a fabulous time; made lots of new friends; and more importantly were able to redefine the direction you want to take in life.

 

We also heard that you were invited to return as a Youth Leader at next year's NYSF - so congratulations and well done.

 

Thanks for coming and sharing with us this morning.  We really enjoyed it.