Chats by Rotaract Australia: Recent Episodes
Rotaract Australia
Chats by Rotaract Australia aims to fill in the gap left by dozens of cancelled in-person networking opportunities caused by COVID-19 and connect Rotaractors, Rotarians and clubs doing exciting things. Season 2 of the podcast launches on September 19 2021. The podcast is hosted by Rotaract Australia's Laura Telford and Holly Corbett. Together they have close to two decades of experience in the media industry and are passionate about sharing stories that inspire.
In this very special episode of the Chats by Rotaract Australia podcast host Laura Telford sits down with Past Rotary International President Barry Rassin.
This is part one of this chat and explore all things Rotaract.
Barry is a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, Bahamas and was the Rotary International President in 2018-2019. He was an incredibly charismatic president and instrumental in the #elevaterotaract movement which has been vital for empowering Rotaractors across the globe.
Tune in now!
In this episode of the Chats by Rotaract Australia podcast host Laura Telford sits down with Rotaractor Damien Walker - and what he doesn't know about Rotaract is not worth knowing!
Damien is a passionate advocate for Rotary's youth programs and has held almost all club roles over his time in Rotaract. He is a member of Salisbury City Rotaract Club in South Australia which is a proudly inclusive and supportive club for all. Check out this great chat now!
This episode is proudly also sponsored by Rotary International District 9650.
On the first episode after the holiday break host Laura Telford sits down with Rotaract Oceania MDIO Chair Becky Giblin to talk all things Rotaract on an international scale.
Becky is the inaugural Chair of Rotaract Oceania and over the last six months in particular Rotaract Oceania and Rotaract Australia have been collaborating and partnering in a whole range of Rotaract spaces.
Rotaract Oceania have a reputation for large scale projects and making an even bigger impact despite the very small group of dedicated humans working behind the scenes. Listen to their great chat now.
In this very special episode of the Chats by Rotaract Australia host Laura Telford sits down with the two newly appointed Rotary/Rotaract Zone Conference 2022 co-hosts Andrew Giumelli and John Mackenzie.
The 2022 Rotary/Rotaract Zone Conference will be a celebration of Rotaract and Rotary collaboration in Canberra, ACT in October find out all the details now!
We say the most important part of Rotary and Rotaract is the members - the humans that make up our great organisation and Kero O'Shea from Membership Voice reminds us of that everyday.
Founder of Membership Voice, Kero and the group is all about highlighting the great work of clubs in the membership engagement space. Listen as host Laura Telford sits down with Kero to discuss some of the great work clubs and members across Australia are doing.
In this very special episode host Laura Telford sits down with past Rotary International President Holger Knaack to talk about perhaps one of the craziest years the 2020-21 year. From COVID-19 restrictions making it impossible for German President Holger to sit in his office in Evanston, USA to virtually travelling more than any President ever.
This Chats by Rotaract Australia podcast episode is one not to miss!
If you are looking for a Rotaractors to aspire to be like, look no further than Wajan Abumustafa the 2021 President of the University of Adelaide Rotaract Club. She is passion in buckets and never sits still for too long! Wajan presides over a club of more than 70 Rotaractors and is always pushing the boundaries of what is possible with 24 hours in a day. Host Laura Telford sat down to talk to her and regardless of your role in a Rotaract or Rotary club you will find something from this chat.
On World Mental Health Day Chats by Rotaract Australia host Laura Telford talks to Australian Rotary Health's Promotions and Mental Health Research Manager Jessica Cooper. The chat spans what ARH is, what projects is supports and more. Tune in now!
The first episode of Season Two begins with a fantastic interview between host Rotaract Australia Vice Chair Laura Telford and 2017-18 Rotary International President Ian Riseley. The pair have a fascinating chat which spans leadership, Rotaract's place in the organisation and what the future of Rotaract looks like.
Welcome to Season 2 of the Chats by Rotaract Australia Podcast. We are back bigger and better than ever bringing you some incredible conversations with Rotaractors and Rotarians from across the globe.
As we countdown the final hours of the 2020-21 Rotaract year listen now to host Laura Telford talk to outgoing Rotaract Australia Chair Samantha Fewster.
Sam has lead the Rotaract Australia team, District Rotaract Representatives and all Rotaractors in the MIDO through one of the most challenging years with grace, kindness and passion.
Laura and Sam chat about the highlights and even through some dark and challenging times Rotaractors proved they can overcome adversity finding exciting and innovative ways to connect, communicate and serve their community.
We're baaaacccckkkkk!
This is a very special bonus episode of Chats by Rotaract Australia that is dynamic, engaging and inspirational!
Jessie Harman’s first experience of Rotary was as a participant of RYLA in 1987. Today she is Director-Elect for Rotary International (2021-2023), representing Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Listen to hear what this role actually is all about... and learn about why Jessie has an active interest in Rotaract, as well as Rotary’s youth and leadership programs.
This special episode is hosted by Rotaract Australia's Communications Director Laura Telford.
Australian Rotaract Conference (ARC) and National Training 2021 will be held on Saturday 15 May and Sunday 16 May respectively.
In this episode of Chats by Rotaract Australia hosted by Laura Telford, you’ll hear her chat with ARC co-chairs Eeshwar Rajagopalan and Helena Toscas.
Learn exactly how the events will be run, how to buy tickets and just what is in store for the 2021 event!
For more information or to buy tickets go to: https://conference.rotaract.org.au/
Chats by Rotaract Australia hosts Holly Corbett and Laura Telford have absolutely loved bringing the podcast to your ears since September 2020.
Join the pair as they reminisce about Season 1 of Chats by Rotaract Australia, the journey of starting a podcast and even a tiny teaser about the plans for Season 2!
At the date of publishing, Laura is the Communications Director of Rotaract Australia and Holly is the Vice-Chair of Rotaract Australia.
Picture this: tens of thousands of school children being taught how to wash their hands on the exact same day by Rotaractors.
Meet Varun Hariprakash, the DRR of D978 - he helped make that vision a reality.
Varun has some incredible stories to tell about his time as a Rotaractor in his home country of India, and he joins podcast host Holly Corbett to talk about one key project – Wash in Schools.
STOP - LET'S CHALLENGE AN ASSUMPTION - the Rotary Foundation is not boring.
Chats by Rotaract Australia host Laura Telford aims to demystify the Rotary Foundation - which can be a bit confusing or dry for Rotaractors!
Laura is joined for this episode by Maurie Stack, the chair of the Rotary Foundation for Australia, who explains the difference between district and global grants, what kind of projects can be supported and how to get involved.
Laura says Mauria helped to enlighten her about the Rotary Foundation - so hear exactly why and what it is all about, right from the people involved.
RYLA Oceania is the region’s most exciting and innovative program for RYLA Alumni across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands.
The goal of RYLA Oceania is to develop a network of the brightest global citizens and leaders who are engaged, educated and pushed to achieve measurable results both individually and as a group within their communities.
Hear from one of RYLA Oceania's leaders Gemma Curcio, as she chats with Holly Corbett about how the vision began and what the future holds!
Have you ever wonder how to plan a major event like a Rotary District Conference?
Hear from Tasmanian Rotarian Sandy Astill, as she talks through all the steps to planning a successful event AND why she invited Rotaractors to be part of her conference committee from the very first meeting.
Hosted by RA Vice Chair Holly Corbett.
It's WORLD ROTARACT WEEK - so here's a surprise special episode!
Hear from Chats by Rotaract Australia's first international guests, as we chat all about the online Asia Pacific Regional Rotaract Conference - which will be held on Saturday, March 13!
Join Co-Organising Chairpersons JieFie Lan and Thomas Lim from KL, Malaysia as they tell RA Vice-Chair Holly Corbett all about eAPRRC!
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/APRRC2020
To register for the free event: http://bit.do/e-APRRC_registration
DON'T FORGET THE DIFFERENT TIMEZONES!!!
eAPPRC events are at Malaysian Time - which is also Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) - Saturday 13 March.
NSW, Victoria, Tasmania & ACT: Add 3hs
South Australia: Add 2.5hrs
Queensland: Add 2hrs
Northern Territory: Add 1.5hrs
Western Australia: It's your time to shine!
Introducing 100 Trees for 100 Years - A Rotaract Australia Special Project.
This project is being undertaken to mark 100 years of Rotary in Australia, and aims to see every Rotaract Club across Australia plant at least one tree (hopefully more!) in their local community.
The project is being led by DRR for 9675 Courtney Krahe, who joins RA Vice Chair Holly Corbett for this podcast.
Excitingly, Rotaract Australia is partnering with the Rotary Social Impact Network (RSIN) for this project - one of the newest and most innovative Rotary eClubs to hit Australia. Both Courtney and Holly are charter members of RSIN.
For Rotaractor Nic Egan, Rotary pretty much runs in his blood!
Nic chats with RA Communications Director Laura Telford about growing up in the Rotary family, living with a Rotary Youth Exchange Student and his experiences in Rotary Youth Programs.
Also, have you heard of the Rotaract Games? Find out what they were and some of the other incredible opportunities Nic has had during his Rotaract journey.
Should your club have a Code of Conduct? How do you even develop one? And then, if you have to rely on it, how do you know it will actually work?
Helena Toscasa from Gateway Rotaract sits down with RA Vice Chair Holly Corbett, to talk about her club's code of conduct - which also includes a member misconduct procedure, a grievance resolution procedure, and a misconduct rubric.
Gateway Rotaract (which is based in Victoria) has also been kind enough to share their documents with the Rotaract Australia Family so that you can use their work as an example. They have also shared their incident report form and club member application form - two critical components to great club governance! These will be uploaded by the end of February to the Rotaract Australia Website, under the resources tab.
The first two weeks of February 2021 saw several District Rotaract Representatives from Australia taking part in the first online International Assembly.
DRR for 9640 Caitlin O'Connor and RA Communications Director Laura Telford both took part, and in this podcast episode share their learnings from this recent experience!
From what Internal Assembly even is about, to specifics about breakout groups and their favourite sessions - get the inside scoop!
Mathew Pham hopes to be one of the founding members of the Provisional Swan Rotract Club.
He is also the current President of the Rotary Club of Swan District in Western Australia, a club with more than 70 years of history!
If you feel like this seems like a reversal or opposite journey to most Rotaractors - this is a story you will love to hear!
This is an episode not to be missed - well, we think that about all of our episodes but for this one it really rings true!
Former Rotaract Australia Chair Rebecca Fry sits downs with RA Vice Chair Holly Corbett to talk about personal and professional development through service.
Listen to part of Bec's Rotaract and Rotary journey, and get some actionable examples of how to maximise the opportunites afford to you through Rotaract.
And - as mentioned in the show - you can learn more about Bec's next endeavour through Quarter Life Academy which is dedicated to coaching people in their 20s and 30s to help them make the most of their live
With the 2021 Rotary International Assembly a week away host Laura Telford talks to former DRR Steven Coffey about his experiences at International Assembly - the good, bad and challenging!
Steven was one of 60 Rotaractors from around the world to take part in 2020 and at one dinner even sat on a table with RI President Holger Knaack!
Hear his Rotaract story, with a special focus on his experience at the International training event. Steven was chair of the committee who hosted the most recent Australian Rotaract Conference in February 2020 and he shares some highlights as well.
In this episode, the tables are turned as RA Vice-Chair and trained journalist Holly Corbett becomes the interviewee as she and RA Governance Director Ben Hill share their Rotarct Origin Story.
Yes, the idea of an "Origin Story" kind of makes them sound like superheroes - but aren't all Rotaractors a little bit of a superhero because of the amazing things each and every one of you do??
From their biggest lessons learned, how they get through the tough days and even some favourite memories - enjoy this insight into the life of two experienced Rotaractors!
Fun Fact: Rotaract Australia's Chair Samantha Fewster and Rotaract Australia's Vice-Chair Holly Corbett both attended the Nationa Youth Science Forum (NYSF).
Hear how it shaped our careers and made us into the people we are today!
Learn what was the most impactful lessons we learned and a bit of advice for future participants!
Bronwyn Smith joined a Rotaract club when she moved to America where she lived for five years. When she came home to Perth, WA she took the reins of reviving an inactive club.
Hear her story, learn how to review the scope of your club and assess all the different options you can consider.
From the moment of thinking “yes, we wan to do revitalise this club” to becoming an active and dynamic club, learn the questions to ask yourself and how it worked for one club in Western Australia.
Oh – and they did a lot of this during lockdown with a special focus on using Discord!
On this episode of the Chats by Rotaract Australia podcast host Laura sits down with Immediate Past President of the Adelaide University Rotaract Club (AURC) Lenard Sciancalepore.
The chat spans the difference between university and community based clubs and Lenard talks as well as some of the great projects AURC has been involved in.
Check it out now!
On this episode of the Chats by Rotaract Australia podcast cast, current Rotaract Australia Communications Director sits down with former Communications Director Netania Lim to discuss all things communications.
From having a good online presence as a club to how and why clubs should invest time and energy into crafting the right communications strategy - it is all in this episode!
So as you are enjoying some downtime between Christmas and New Years tune into this great chat so you can start 2021 on the right foot!
In this episode of the Chats by Rotaract Australia podcast RA Communications Director Laura Telford is joined by Harrison Howick, the International Director of the Rotaract Club of Burleigh Heads in Queensland for Part Two of their chat.
Harrison explains how his club became involved with an international project and begins to talk about what that entails. This chat was SO good that it's part one of two. Come back in two weeks for the next part!
This episode is also sponsored by Rotary International District 9650 in NSW.
A club is its members but having a great club culture makes members come back meeting after meeting.
Learn tangible ways used by host Holly Corbett (RA Vice-Chair) and Ben Hill (RA Governance Director) at their clubs to evolve the membership experience.
And find out some more details about our online workshops coming in early 2021.
We're heading overseas... well, discussing internal service projects at least!
RA Communications Director Laura Telford is joined by Harrison Howick, the International Director of the Rotaract Club of Burleigh Heads in Queensland.
Harrison explains how his club became involved with an international project and begins to talk about what that entails. This chat was SO good that it's part one of two. Come back in two weeks for the next part!
Every single person in your Rotaract club should care about money. Why? Because it allows us the ability to increase our options and opportunities to serve our communities.
From your club accounts to charity funds, how to find the best bank account and... GASP... paying fees... Rotaract Australia Treasurer Clare Lawlor unpacks it all in this episode.
Hosted by RA Vice Chair Holly Corbett.
Membership data management, efficient use of cloud storage and what the heck is club runner? (yes, some of us have never even heard of it!)
Learn how to put these ideas into action and hear, for the very first time, about a series of workshops Rotaract Australia will be running to help turbo-charge your club functions!
Hosted by RA Vice-Chair Holly Corbett who is joined by RA Governance Director Ben Hill.
Meet Sally Foster. She started her Rotaract career in Canberra but after three years moved to a club in NSW as she started her career as a nurse!
Learn about how that transition process went, why free pizza is a valuable resource and why getting members involved in events early is valuable!
Hosted by RA Communications Director Laura Telford
Ever wondered how your club stayed so on track? What about how you knew about all the things happening in the club or your district? Odds are it was because you have an awesome secretary!
On this episode of Chats by Rotaract Australia host Laura Telford sits down with veteran Secretary Jack Wilson. Jack's claim to fame is that for his entire Rotaract life he has been a secretary - well up until a few months ago when he exchange the secretary role for president.
Jack became his club's secretary right from the very first meeting of the club - even before the club officially had a president, so when we say he knows what he is doing he really knows what he is doing.
So sit back (with a pen and notebook!) and enjoy this chat with Jack Wilson.
Picture this: January 2018 and all District Governors Elect (2018-19) are in a hall in San Diego listening to incoming Rotary International President Barry Rassin talk about how important Rotaract is. He puts a call to arms out to double the amount of Rotaractors in the world during the next Rotary year and the hall erupts into cheers.
Well that was the reality for the now Past District Governor, Lorraine Coffey; and did she come back inspired? Yes she did!
On this episode of the Chats by Rotaract Australia podcast host Laura sits down with PDG of 9650 Lorraine Coffey to talk all things Rotaract. Lorraine spent her year as District Governor advocating and empowering Rotaract in her district and made sure every Rotarian in the District knew the benefits of Rotaract. She believes that Rotaractors are the future of Rotary and everything must be done to ensure Rotaractors are supported, encouraged and empowered to achieve at a club, district and international level.
Katey Halliday is a past president and charter member of the Adelaide City Rotaract Club and recently joined the Rotary Club of Adelaide Light.
She has also served as a team leader, coordinator, and trainer for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), and now a participant in the inaugural RYLA Oceania Program.
She is a project officer and training facilitator in the Diversity and Inclusion Branch of the South Australia Police.
Katey said down with Chats by Rotaract Australia host Laura to talk all things Rotaract, Rotary and next step.
Learning from and being inspired by people who have done things you want to do is one of the best parts about going to conferences and events, and as a Rotaractor listening to Liz Gardner will certainly do that!
Liz is a former District Rotaract Representative for South Australia , has held a number of club and district positions and chaired the 2018 Australian Rotaract Conference in Adelaide. By all standards Liz is all round excellent human who sat down to be interviewed for the latest episode of Chats by Rotaract Australia.
Liz is passionate about giving back to the community and helping others. On this episode Liz chats to host Laura as they take a trip down memory lane.
Meet Rotaract Australia's secretary Madi Biggelaar. She joins fellow Tasmanian and RA Vice-Chair Holly Corbett to discuss the key deliverables and change created in their Rotaract Club after both attended Vic/Tas Board training.
Learn how Rotaract-specific training led to better outcomes, sustainability and increased confidence.
Note: They don't even wax lyrical about how good Tasmania or Tasmanian wine is, so you know the topic is really interesting to maintain their focus.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a Rotaractor in India? How about in the US? Canda? Germany? Well, Western Australia's double district DRR Eeshwar Rajagopalan has the answers for you.
Join RA Communications Director Laura Telford as she helps to highlight just some of Eeshwar's Rotaract adventures and learn how you could be next!
Do you have a new potential member of your club who wants to know a bit more about Rotaract?
Are you new to Rotaract and want to learn more?
Have you heard someone you love going on, and on, and on about this thing called Rotaract and you need to "get it"?
This episode is for you. Join hosts Holly and Laura to learn more about the "Why" of Rotaract and what different members get out of their clubs.
For existing Rotaract members - this is also a good refresher and we also talk about how to create the perfection "elevator pitch" to explain to people exactly what Rotaract is.
If you have a question about Rotaract and you live on the East Coast of Australia odds are you will be told to contact the guest of this podcast episode.
One way or another Rotaractors and Rotarians around New South Wales, Australia hear about the mighty Amanda Barnes.
A Rotary resumes which spans five pages, Amanda had been active in the Rotary and Rotaract space for the last decade - and she says a partnership with Rotary on some level was inevitable.
The only role Amanda hasn't had is that of Treasurer but over her time she has seen so many positive changes and on this episode she talks us through some of the highlights.
The Adelaide City Rotaract Club is maybe the first club in Australia to initiate a Reconciliation Action Plan also known as a RAP.
What is a RAP? Well it is a document that outlines how a club is going to be mindful of the traditional owners of the land and agreed upon strategies to ensure positive and meaningful collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the community.
The club is excited and proud to have partnered with an Aboriginal artist for the project and are actively seeking opportunities to walk the walk when it comes to inclusion and diversity in the club.
For more information about Adelaide City Rotaract Club head to their Facebook page.
It's September 2020, and most of us can't plan big events or fundraisers right now.
But you know what we can do to help us kick goals into the future? Get our club governance in order! But why...... it can be so painfully bland... well, this episode might just inspire you.
Listen to RA Governance Director Ben Hill talk all things constitution and bylaws (with a special announcement at the end!).
After months of #isolife Rotaract Australia is getting on the front foot actively seeking to engage with Rotaractors and Rotarians across the country through its new podcast.
Chats by Rotaract Australia aims to fill in the gap left by dozens of cancelled in-person networking opportunities caused by COVID-19 and connect Rotaractors, Rotarians and clubs doing exciting things.
The podcast is the brainchild of Rotaract Australia’s Communications Director Laura Telford and Vice President Holly Corbett and, as former journalists, both bring their own flair and passion for storytelling and sharing.