Strengthening Rotary’s leadership pipeline across Oceania

RYLA Oceania ELEVATE is redefining Rotary’s leadership pathway by giving emerging and established leaders aged 20–45 the space, self-awareness and skills they need to lead with clarity, confidence and purpose.

WORDS Rebecca Fry. President Rotary Oceania RYLA Alumni Association / Rotary Club of Social Impact Network

PHOTOS @rhysmartinphotographer

Seven years ago, a group of District RYLA chairs, facilitators and supporters from across Australia recognised a growing gap in Rotary’s leadership development pathway. Each year, hundreds of young people complete their District RYLA programs, returning energised and motivated. But many found themselves asking the same question: What comes next?

RYLA Oceania ELEVATE emerged in response. Four programs on, with more than 100 alumni, ELEVATE has grown into a leadership experience that gives emerging and established Rotary leaders aged 20–45 the opportunity to deepen their clarity, confidence and capability.

This year reflected a noticeable step forward. ELEVATE grew by 50 per cent, bringing together 36 young leaders from across Australia and New Zealand – RYLA alumni, Rotaractors, Rotarians, early-career professionals, volunteers and community leaders. Many already contribute to Rotary and RYLA as facilitators, directors or committee members. Others were experiencing a Rotary leadership program for the first time. What united them was a shared commitment to service, growth and community.

From the outset, participants described ELEVATE as different from their District RYLA programs. RYLA often focuses on team-based, experiential leadership. ELEVATE provides a different perspective. The program is designed around a simple but powerful premise: to lead others well, you must first understand how to lead yourself.

Over four days, participants move through a carefully structured sequence covering strengths, values, life priorities, energy and wellbeing, habits, systems, purpose and the barriers that often sit beneath leadership challenges. The content is practical and grounded, and each person leaves with a personalised leadership plan they can apply immediately in their life, club, district, workplace or community.

But the real impact comes from the environment ELEVATE creates. In a life where community leaders are often stretched across many responsibilities, ELEVATE gives them something rare: time and space. Time to reflect. Time to gain clarity. Time to reconnect with their purpose.

Many participants shared that this was the first opportunity they’d had in years to pause long enough to understand themselves again. One described it as “being selfish – in the best possible way,” recognising that leaders can only sustain their service when they have clarity about what drives them and what supports their wellbeing.

This year’s cohort spoke openly about the confidence, motivation and sense of direction they gained. Several reported a renewed belief in their leadership potential; others said they finally had a framework to help them move forward. Many shared that they were returning home with a far clearer understanding of how to contribute effectively – not just in Rotary, but in their work and communities.

The TED-style leadership stories night remains a defining moment of the retreat. Participants share personal reflections on leadership, challenge, resilience, connection and growth. These stories create understanding across districts, ages and backgrounds, reinforcing that leadership is not reserved for a select few – it is learned, shaped and strengthened in community.

Here, we hear from some of the 2025 ELEVATE participants.

Attending ELEVATE was a powerful experience for me. After being involved with RYLA for many years, I thought I had a strong understanding of my strengths, my leadership style and where I was heading. ELEVATE proved there was much more growth available, and it gave me the space to explore that with honesty and clarity. One of the biggest breakthroughs for me was learning to evaluate my priorities in a realistic way. I realised that I often knew what I wanted, but I did not always structure my goals in a way that made them achievable. ELEVATE encouraged me to rethink how I set those goals and how I hold myself accountable in a supportive and compassionate way.

I have always believed that in order to be a successful leader at work or in your community, you first need to be able to lead yourself with intention, passion and commitment. ELEVATE did not just remind me of this belief; it strengthened it in the best way possible. I left feeling more confident in who I am, what I value and what direction I want to take next. It was motivating, energising and deeply impactful, and I am truly grateful to have been part of it.

Sally West
Rotary Club of Diamond Creek, Vic

As an international student, RYLA and RYLA ELEVATE have been essential in helping me settle into Australia. ELEVATE seemed like a reset button rather than just another leadership program. Understanding my Gallup CliftonStrengths assessment was one of the most impactful experiences for me. It helped me understand why I think and act the way I do. All of a sudden, both my areas of self-doubt and my talents made sense. As someone who has had to deal with a lot of pressure while attempting to advance both my degree and career, that insight is genuinely invaluable.

I came away from ELEVATE with a newfound sense of purpose and a toolkit that I utilise on a daily basis. The techniques we learned for forming and breaking habits have changed the way I approach all my goals, no matter how big or small. They have assisted me in gaining momentum, maintaining focus and creating a version of myself I’m super proud of.

What resonated most was the energy in the room: a diverse group of youthful leaders from around Oceania, all pushing to grow, all cheering each other on. That sense of belonging, combined with the personal breakthroughs I had, made ELEVATE a standout experience, one that will continue to impact my life far into the future.

Mambwe Nsanje
Rotary Club of Karrinyup, WA

For the full photo gallery of the 2025 RYLA ELEVATE retreat, click here.