Clubs usually meet once a month or once a fortnight. As a member of a club, you have full voting rights on any decision made in the club and election of members to office.
ACTIVITIES
Activities in a club are many and varied. They include educational opportunities (guest speakers, farm tours, visits, etc.) social activities, self-development activities and competitions. Clubs may become involved in running seminars or become involved with community efforts. What each club does is up to the members of that club, as each club formulates its own program.
As a member, you should not be frightened to suggest new ideas for, often, clubs are seeking spice and variety in their program which you can give them. As a taste here are some examples of possible programmed activities.
Mystery car tour, dance dinners, camps, cabaret, exchangee reports, look through local gaol, factory, college, farm tour, guest speakers, bush walk, orienteering, Sports challenge, fun days, progressive dinner.
EXCHANGES
This is one of the most exciting aspects of the Rural Youth Organisation. There is a wide range of exchange trips, both interstate and overseas with countries such as USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland or Japan. On all trips, exchangees are hosted by affiliated Rural Youth Organisations.
Exchangees are selected with great care as they represent both the Organisation and Tasmania. These trips are generously sponsored and are an opportunity of a lifetime for all those selected to go. We also receive exchangees from other states and countries.
EXCHANGES AVAILABLE
Queensland and Western Australia (3 year rotation) 4-6 weeks
Victoria 4-6 weeks
New Zealand (2 year rotation) 3 months
USA, Canada and Sweden (3 year rotation) 3 months
Switzerland (3 year rotation) 3 months
United Kingdom 6 months
Young Endeavour 10-12 days
Selection of these awards is based on personality and ability to speak – on Rural Youth and general knowledge. Assessment is made by means of interviews. Exchangees act as ambassadors for the Organisation to the other Organisation and the personal benefits of learning are enormous.
EVERY MEMBER IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR AN EXCHANGE TRIP
Training and development opportunities exist throughout the year, including:
- Media training
- Agricultural training. Eg. welding
- Leadership
- Various training weekends.
Members also have the opportunity to be selected and take part in other organisations’ activities, representing Rural Youth at hese events. For example:
Country Women’s Association
TFGA General Council and Industry Councils.
COMPETITIONS
As a member you are able to enter all competitions at club, region and State level. On a state level, there are a number of competitions run each year.
These include:
Debating, Quiz, Cooking, Welding, Ploughing, Tractor backing, Public Speaking, Drama, Farm Bike Trials, Stock Judging, rifle Shooting, photography and craft.
Some of these are team effort, while others are individual competitions.
PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDY
Rural Youth pays all registered Rural Youth members a 5% subsidy on the cost of Private Health Insurance. In addition to the Rural Youth subsidy, St. LukesHealth is providing a further 2.5% discount who take out a St.LukesHealth membership – either a new membership or transfer from another fund.
To claim your subsidy, all you need to do is send a copy of the statement you receive from your fund to the head office, and a cheque will be forwarded to you.
Just one of the many benefits of being a member of the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania Inc.
