There are 51 clubs in District 9500 several of which were recognised for the high level of their community involvement.

The Rotary Club of Clare has carried out a broad range of youth activities involving young people from preschool upwards both in the community and overseas.

In receiving the District 9500 Youth Activities Award, the club was recognised for its many achievements, which have included giving almost $30,000 to projects in the past financial year.

The club is a major sponsor for the Clare Primary School Art Exhibition, giving $400 annually as prize money, while a member also helps students with their work, presentation and planning the display.

Each year the club gives three youth art awards at their annual Art Exhibition, totalling $950.

A major project for 2008 was donating $10,000 to the Clare Valley Children’s Centre towards the upgrade of the outdoor learning area.

A further $1000 was given to St Joseph’s School, Clare to help with the construction of a Pedal Prix car by students who competed in a State competition.

Members help with the Clare High School curriculum, such as adjudicating for the interschool debating and as panel members for the Year 9 assessments.

Clare Rotary have almost fully financially sponsored seven students from the Clare High School and surrounding high schools, over the past five consecutive years, to attend the National Youth Science Forum – the total cost being well over $9000. Two dedicated Rotarians volunteer their time preparing students for selection for the forum.

Nominations are called annually by the Clare club for local high school students to attend the Seimans Summer School, and there are usually at least three students attending each year.

For the past four years Clare Rotarians have been working with a local youth group – the History Makers – who help with the monthly newspaper collection, working alongside Rotarians voluntarily. As a result of their work the Youth Group is given financial support. An additional $880 was given recently to enable four young people to attend a Youth Group Camp.

Last year $5000 was given toward the establishment of the Clare Skate Park, and a donation of $1000 went to the Clare Scout Group to help them purchase equipment.

Each year the club sponsors two or three students to attend YMCA camps on Kangaroo Island, a donation of $500 is given to Clare Young Carers to allow young people to have respite from their demanding duty of care.

An 18-year-old girl who left Zimbabwe with her family about five years to come to live in Clare was sponsored to go back to the Kalahari Desert to work with young Africans.

Last year the club gave US$5000 for a matching grant to the Rotary Club of Bagiou for the purchase of computers for a Special School for the Deaf in a village school in the District of Bagiou, Philippines.

Local students Joel Dunstan and Emma Ayliffe were selected to attend the National Science Forum this year, forming part of a contingent of 24 South Australian teenagers. They were presented with their certificates of achievement by the Governor of South Australia, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, at a Mayoral Reception in Clare on Monday, May 5.

Although the Rotary Club of Clare has won other awards for its service to the community, president Prue Maitland said the Youth Award was by far the most satisfying.

“We were very thrilled to receive it,” she said.