Sydney Rotary launches Youth Encouragement Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Sydney, NSW, in partnership with PCYC NSW, initiated the perpetual Youth Encouragement Scholarship (YES) as part of Rotary’s centenary celebrations in 2021.

A committee was formed in October to develop and formulate the criteria. There are four categories in both urban and rural areas: Arts, Music, Sport and Education. The urban area covers the Local Government Areas of Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle.

The first eight awards scholars from across the state were announced at the club’s meeting on April 7 during Youth Week, with extremely diverse areas of choice and focus for their scholarships.

Each scholar will receive up to $3000 for their chosen project. The nominations are circulated throughout NSW through the partnership of Rotary and PCYC to continue to connect with the local clubs of both organisations. PCYC club managers have provided encouragement and support to the program, which is targeted at youth between the ages of 12 to 17 years.

Nominations for the inaugural scholarship were very strong, with the judging panels comprising of members from both the Rotary Club of Sydney and PCYC.

The committee is looking forward to the opening of nominations for next year’s scholars on November 16, closing February 28, 2022. The announcement of all winners will be held during Youth Week on April 5, 2022, at the Rotary Club of Sydney’s weekly meeting.

For further information on the project, contact Chair of the Rotary Club of Sydney Youth Committee Dr Sonu Bhaskar via drsonubhaskar.rotary@gmail.com or Rose Cepero from PCYC NSW via rcepero@pcycnsw.org.au or Rotarian and PCYC NSW Board Member Dorothy Hennessy OAM via dothennessy@gmail.com.