Careers and Youth Opportunities
Upcoming Open Days
ACU
Melbourne - Sunday 9th August 10am - 3pm
Ballarat - Sunday 23rd August 9:30am - 1:30pm
Federation University
Ballarat - Sunday 23rd August 9am - 3pm
Berwick - Sunday 16th August 9:30am - 2pm
LaTrobe University
Melbourne - Sunday 2nd August 10am - 4pm
Bendigo - Sunday 23rd August 9am - 2pm
Albury - Sunday 16th August 9am - 2pm
Deakin University
Melbourne - Sunday 23rd August 9am - 3pm
Geelong - Sunday 16th August 9am- 3pm
Waurn Ponds - Sunday 16th 9am - 3pm
Warrnambool - Sunday 2nd August 9am - 12:30pm
Monash University
Parkville - Sunday 16th August 10am - 2pm
Caulfield - Saturday 1st August 10am - 2pm
Clayton - Sunday 2nd August 10am - 2pm
Victoria University
Footscray Park - Sunday 16th August 10am - 3pm
City Tower - Sunday 30th August 10am - 3pm
Swinburne University of Technology
Sunday 26th July 10am - 4pm
University of Melbourne
Parkville and Southbank - Sunday 16th August 10am - 4pm
RMIT
Melbourne CBD - Sunday 9th August
Bundoora - Sunday 2nd August
Brunswick - Sunday 9th August
Longerenong College
Sunday 9th August 9am- 3pm
Upcoming Opportunities
Application Information 2026
THE PROGRAM
PART 1 Residential Course at Longerenong College Horsham, Mon 21 - Wed 23 September 2026.
PART 2 Presentation by each participant to their sponsoring Rotary Club after Part 1, to be completed by the end of November 2026
APPLICATIONS - APPLY EARLY TO ENSURE A PLACE. Early bird closes 31 July. Final Closing date August 31 unless all places are filled prior.
Students are admitted to the program on assessment of completed application, date completed application is received and number of places available. (Note that the Defying the Drift Committee reserves the right to limit the number of applicants per school if the program is oversubscribed.)
To speak with a Rotary member before lodging an application, email defyingthedrift@rotary9780.org with your contact details and a Rotary member will respond. Applicants will be notified as soon as practical whether or not their application has been successful.
Application is via online forms – separate forms need to be completed by Student applicants, Parent/Guardian, School and sponsoring Rotary club. Each person needs to record the student’s name & the email address that the student uses at school, so make sure each respondent gives the same information, or the forms won’t link up!
Step 1 - Contact your local Rotary Club to arrange sponsorship.
Sponsorship will include assistance with the course fee and a meeting date at which each student can make their presentation. (See Step 4 below)
Ask the Rotary Club representative to record their information on the Rotary Club online form.
Step 2 - Confirm School Details ask your Careers Teacher, Year Level Coordinator or other Teacher to complete their details and a brief statement in support of your application on the School Contact online form
Step 3 - Provide Family Details and Consent It is important to provide all of the following information:
Students complete Student Application online form
Parents/Guardians complete Parent/Guardian online form – including medical information and consents to attend. Please go to https://www.rotary9780.org/sitepage/defying-the-drift
(If student is 18 yrs old, they may complete both of these forms themselves)
Step 4 – Rotary club completes payment
Course Fee $350 per student. Early Bird $250 per student paid by July 31
The cost to participate in Defying the Drift is subsidised by Sponsors and Longerenong College.
A contribution towards these costs of $350 is requested from each participant to assist with accommodation and all meals for the three-day residential course at Longerenong College, tuition fees, farm visits, all course notes and a Defying the Drift shirt. It is recommended that students pay $100 and the sponsoring Rotary Club contribute $250, however, Clubs may elect to pay a different proportion of the fee.
Sponsor Clubs are requested to remit the full fee of $350 per student (or $250 Early Bird by 31 July) by Direct Credit to:
Rotary Club of Beaufort Inc. Project Account (BBL)
BSB no: 633 000 Account no: 167 195 502
Reference: Name and Sponsoring Rotary Club