Rotary Club of Richmond
On Monday the 3rd of October, a group of MGC students were asked to attend the Rotary Club of Richmond. We were all asked because we had participated in different external youth leadership activities through the school. One of MGC’s college captains, Monique Selcuk, and I were chosen as we attended the Nelson Mandela Youth Leadership Summit at Parliament house. The point of the evening was to hear the views of students on how those leadership experiences influenced us as young people. As an extension of that, the Rotary club wanted to know our thoughts on what the world needs to create positive leadership.
Being able to attend this evening made myself and I am sure the other students as well, feel that our voices are being heard. We were able to speak out minds and were asked mature and educated questions by the members. The club was genuinely interested in what we had to say, and that inspired me. It helped me to realise that even though I am young, I can still make an impact. There is no minimum age to start making the world a better place.
As a result of the evening, the Youth Services Director for the Rotary Club of Richmond, Maria Makris, now wants to revive the MGC Interact Club. She believes that our cohort of students have the maturity and ability to start making a difference before we graduate.
I encourage students to listen as it opens your eyes to a world of opportunities, we did not believe were open to us at such a young age.
Abigail Grigg 8C
Interact is revived
Friday the 21st of October marks the revival of the MGC Interact club. After years in lockdown, the club is back in action, already with its first goal after only one meeting. The first MGC Interact charter was established on the 1st of June 2016. Since then, the group has helped a range of people both locally and internationally.
As our group in 2022 is small, we are starting locally. We have chosen to help the RSPCA. Since the beginning of lockdown, there has been a rise in pet adoptions, as we needed adorable companions in a troubling time. Unfortunately, some new owners were not equipped to properly take care of their furry friends. The RSPCA has been jerked around between new arrivals and new adoptions over the past three years. They are running low on funds and need support. With the help of caring MGC members, the Interact club hopes to raise money for better beds, toys, food, and shelters for the poor animals.
The MGC Interact club works closely with the Rotarians from the Richmond Club. Attending our meeting was Maria Makris the Youth Services Director of the Rotary Club of Richmond (RCR). As was stated by Maria, “we are partners in service.” Rotary clubs help people around the world, some RCR members are currently on a project in Nepal. The Interact club hopes to build up to having such a wide reach and big impact.
Although we receive mentorship and support from the Rotarians, all funds for the causes are raised on our own. That is why we rely on the good students of MGC to assist us during fundraisers. Every little bit counts.
The club is open to and welcomes new members from any interested students who want to help us make the world a better place, starting with the pets at the RSPCA. If you are not able to be part of the club, we implore you to look out for our emails notifying you about our fundraisers and activities. A little help goes a long way.
Our current Committee members are Leanne Leong Year 10, Emily Carrol from Year 9, and Dorothea Lam from Year 11. Our next Interact Club Meeting is on Friday the 4th of November, Room 105. We look forward to welcoming you.
Abigail Grigg 8C