RSL Youth Development Alumni Program

The RSL Youth Development Alumni Program allows past recipients to share their success stories and news on their recent achievements.

If you have a story you wish to share with the RSL YDP Team, please email RSLyouth@bond.edu.au.

Learn more about how some of our recipients are using their grant below.

Kimberley Day - 2011 RSL YDP Recipient

Kim was awarded an RSL YDP grant to support her community achievements, and had this to say about her award: 

"I'd like to start by saying Thank You. Thank you so much for the incredible oppourtunity you have helped to give me. I have just returned from my Nepal trip which I won the 2011 grant for and it was amazing. I had so much fun and learnt so many things about other people, cultures, countries and myself.

"We spent 3 weeks travelling around Nepal starting of at our community project at Nyamgal Monastic School, just outside of Pokhara. We worked together shovelling dirt and rocks to make a basketball court for the numerous young monks that study there. The children were absoloutley gorgeous and I really enjoyed the study sessions with them. We then spent a few days in Pokhara before heading off on our trek. we spent the next 6 days trekking through the Himalayas getting some amazing views of the snow capped Annapurna mountains. After the trek we headed down to Chitwan national Park where we enjoyed a boat ride through a crocodile infested river, an awesome elephant ride where we spotted some rhinos and also some cultural tribal dancing. It was really fun. We spent our last day sightseeing in Kathmandu before heading home. I had such a great time in Nepal and it was a truly amazing experience that I will never forget!

Keren Leiman - 2011 RSL YDP Recipient

Keren, from Good Shepherd Lutheran College, went to New York and danced at The American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive in early 2011. She then flew to Holland where she danced at The Nederlands Dans Theater for 2 weeks. Keren has now been accepted fulltime into Theater Basel Ballet School in Basel Switzerland and began her training on 10 October 2011.

"Thank you for your support RSL YDP, we wish all the other people that receive this grant as much success as Keren has had."

Caitlin Micallef - 2011 RSL YDP Recipient

Caitlin sincerely thanks the RSL QLD and Bond University for the generous contribution to her attendance of the Global Young Leader’s Conference, convened by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, which was held in July 2011 in Europe.

"This invaluable, once in a lifetime experience, which I would not have been able to attend without the help of these organisations, allowed me to develop leadership skills by canvassing solutions to some of the world’s current political, social, economic and humanitarian issues with outstanding young leaders from around the globe, whilst travelling through Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Germany. The contacts I was able to make through this conference were remarkable and ranged from a former Hungarian Minister, responsible for transitioning his country from a communist regime to democratic elected government, through to a student from Kuwait who has established an organisation in order to help stop sex trafficking in the United Arab Emirates, at the age of only 15 years old.

"Leadership, which was the topic of the conference, leans itself to many definitions and interpretations, however through this experience I came to realise that in some way or another, we all play leadership roles, and no matter how big or small, these roles do make an impact on other people’s lives. The biggest lesson gained from the conference was that youth have a right and responsibility to take an active interest in the welfare of our community, the national community and the international community, as one day it will be us youth who will need to make decisions regarding these and all aspects of society."

Bill Bain - 2010 and 2011 RSL YDP Recipient

Bill Bain, a student at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, has been a recipient of the grant whilst completing both years 10 and 11. In 2010, the grant paid for a new canoe, and this year Bill put his well deserved grant towards attending the K1 World Marathon in Singapore.

"The racing in World Junior Sprint Titles in Germany was a strong base to work from and supported my preparation for the World Marathon Championships in Singapore last week. With great support from the Australian team we managed to pull a kayak together just in time for me to race. It was a team effort and I stood on the podium knowing that Australia had won gold not just me."

Alexandra Fannin - 2011 RSL YDP Recipient

Carrara high achiever, Alexandra Fannin has started the new school year as a recipient of the RSL Youth Development Program, a grant given for excelling in her area of community achievement.

Alexandra, a student from Emmanuel College, will use her grant to participate in a mission trip to Thailand, better an Asian community and bring knowledge back to her own. She plans on learning about another cultures whilst embracing the one that she lives in everyday.

Alexandra has displayed talent in the community area, having been awarded a Bronze level Duke of Edinburgh award.

“If it were not for the RSL YDP grant I would have missed the opportunity to travel overseas to help others, in need of educating myself on life other than my own and gaining valuable life skills all before completing my high school career.”
 

Ashleigh Knight - 2011 RSL YDP Recipient

Ipswich high achiever, Ashleigh Knight has started the new school year as a recipient of the RSL Youth Development Program, a grant given for excelling in the sport of Futsal.

Ashleigh, a student from Bremer State High School, will use her grant to travel to Brazil, where she will represent Australia playing Futsal.

Ashleigh has displayed talent in the sport of Futsal having been awarded Sports Women of the Year 2008, 2009, and 2010.

“Take the time [to apply for the RSL YDP Grant] and give it a go. Along the way, you will learn about the great things that the RSL do for the community”
 

Jacob Pedersen - 2011 RSL YDP Recipient

Jacob, a student from Whitsunday Anglican School in Mackay, will use his grant to participate in the National Youth Science Forum.

Jacob has displayed talent in academics and leadership having been elected Vice Captain of his high school.

“The RSL Youth Development has helped me make the most of possible career opportunities and helped me access lab equipment,”