One year ago, Tasmanian senior secondary student Aisha Bissett had little knowledge of what Rotary did. Now, she is one of the organisation’s inspiring young advocates.
By Amy Fallon
Responding to a social media alert, Hobart College student Aisha Bissett discovered Rotary via the prestigious National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), of which Rotary is the founding partner.
Every year, Rotarians support the program for Year 12 pupils, promoting it in local communities, managing students’ applications, and helping with funding or fundraising so they can attend. Since 1984, more than 15,000 young Australians have progressed through the NYSF. Local Rotary districts across Australia conduct the participant selections for the program, which runs every January.
“I had been to some other Rotary programs like the Driver Awareness program at my school,” said Aisha, adding that the statistics on road safety presented during the program have always stayed with her. “So the word Rotary was sort of familiar, I just didn’t really know what they did.”
“I had been to some other Rotary programs like the Driver Awareness program at my school”
All that changed in May when, looking for new opportunities, she approached the Rotary Club of Salamanca and District Governor Nominee Pam Scott presented her with information about the NYSF.
Her application was successful, and on commencing the immersive program she was allocated to a group – Tagai – named after the star constellation. Tagai is a key figure in the creation stories of the Torres Strait Islander people. For their homework assignment the Tagai participants came up with a waste reduction solution and discussed how to sustainably eliminate computer waste.
A film featuring Aisha encouraging other students to put themselves forward for the NYSF program has been released for Rotary Reconnect Week this October. Throughout Reconnect Week clubs are encouraged to reach out to their alumni and ask them to reconnect with Rotary.
“Rotary is an international organisation that just really cares about helping people, promoting peace in the global world, reducing poverty and making sure people have the things that they need – basic human rights,” said Aisha. “But they also operate on local and national levels, where they do different things in your local community.”
Hobart College student Aisha Bissett, right, shares insights into the National Youth Science Forum with fellow student Konan Masuda and Hobart College sustainable living teacher Jenny Dudgeon. (Photo: Adam Reibel)
Today, Aisha is viewed as a new Rotary climate leader. She is currently the student mentor for southern Tasmanian students participating in the Tasmanian Youth Climate Leaders Program and Conference. She was selected for this role because of her energy, knowledge and commitment to making a difference in her community and beyond.
Among her role models Aisha lists Deputy Mayor Toby Thorpe – Tasmania’s youngest Deputy Mayor, a gifted public speaker, the 2021 Young Australian of the Year TAS, and the 2020 Premiers Young Achiever of the Year TAS. It was Toby who encouraged the Rotary Club of Huon Valley to sponsor her for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program, which she took part in after reaping the benefits of the NYSF.
In turn, Aisha is spreading the word to others, paying it forward. She encouraged her classmate Konan Masuda to apply for the NYSF program.
“Aisha told me how great the program is, why I should attend, and why it’s such a great opportunity, and she convinced me to sign up,” said Konan, who has been selected to attend the NYSF in 2024. He will join hundreds of other gifted science students from around the country. Running January 5-13, the program will involve lectures, workshops and professional visits, as well as being mentored by researchers and peer supporters who have graduated from the prestigious extension program. Aisha has been selected as a peer support leader for the NYSF in Canberra, before moving to Sydney to complete her tertiary studies.
After missing out on the Rotary Science and Engineering Challenge because of COVID restrictions when he was a Taroona High School student, Konan was excited to learn that he was eligible to apply for the NYSF.
“At the moment I want to become an electrical engineer or environmental engineer, but the program might challenge that perspective and maybe change my pathway into something else that I’m more interested in,”
“At the moment I want to become an electrical engineer or environmental engineer, but the program might challenge that perspective and maybe change my pathway into something else that I’m more interested in,” he said.
Hobart College teacher Jenny Dudgeon and Acting Assistant Principal Marjorie Morgan encouraged Konan to complete his application, which was supported by school Principal Dr Elizabeth Robinson and President of the Rotary Club of Kingston, Ewen Cameron. The club sponsored half the fees for the course.
Marjorie said that Aisha and Konan are an incredibly proactive pair, always there when she puts out a call for somebody to go above and beyond.
“With the full support of the school, we’re incredibly proud that they’ve got the get up and go to take advantage of these opportunities and incredibly proud that they’ve also come back to the school and shared that with other students,” said Marjorie.
In September, Rotary District 9830 Public Image Director Roslyn Teirney met the two participants and the teachers who encouraged them to learn more about Rotary vocational and leadership opportunities.
“Thank you for the warm hospitality,” said Ros. “Rotary Tasmania appreciates all the colleges and schools that partner with us to promote the youth programs funded by Rotary clubs.”
PICTURE: A film featuring Aisha encouraging other students to put themselves forward for the NYSF program has been released for Rotary Reconnect Week this October. Hobart College Assistant Principal Simone Cunliffe captured Adam Reibel filming Aisha for the feature.