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

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