Rotaract Young Professionals Northern Territory (RYPNT) in District 9560 signalled the welcome return of Rotaract to Darwin

Article by PDG Merewyn Wright, Assistant Rotary Coordinator

The chartering of Rotaract Young Professionals Northern Territory (RYPNT) in District 9560 on 15 August 2022, signalled the welcome return of Rotaract to Darwin after a break of many years, and brought 14 young people into the world of Rotary.

However, this new Rotaract club has a different look and focus from the club that previously existed. RYPNT brings together a group of community minded young people working together to support young professional leaders and emerging young leaders in the Territory under the leadership of President Nilesh Dilushan.

With a focus on developing and delivering personal and professional development opportunities tailored for young professionals and graduates that combine learning, networking and work-specific takeaways, RYPNT is dedicated to helping young professionals and Territory graduates step up as leaders in their respective industries and communities.

Rotary Area Governor Allison Hooper, whose area includes the Greater Darwin Area, Katherine, and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, as well as Timor-Leste, said, “The club’s vision is to be the most connected and largest service-minded young professional community in the Northern Territory. The mission is to bolster the Northern Territory's young professional community by providing opportunities for early career professionals and recent graduates to connect, grow and lead through the framework of fellowship and service.’

Through its four key pillars:

• community service projects
• personal and professional development
• social engagement and inclusion
• and industry and community engagement

... the club aims to promote community service by leveraging Territory young professionals’ skills, knowledge and expertise and act as a conduit for young professionals and graduates to gain access to experts in government, business, not for profits, and other national and international industry groups.

The club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Darwin Sunrise, hosted an official launch in Darwin on 6 October, with Minster for Youth, Lauren Moss, Member for Casuarina, community leaders, university lecturers and department heads, representatives from various industries, organisations and professional bodies, public and private sector executives joining Darwin area Rotarians to get the club off to a flying start.

The club held its first event, Coffee Connect, an informal networking gathering of young professionals over coffee and with furry friends in late October and is planning a Red Carpet Masquerade Ball in partnership with Women's Collective for Innovation and Change, for early December. This will provide an opportunity for young professionals and young people to enjoy a formal occasion.

Also coming up is Territory Ambition - a mentoring program for young professionals in the Northern Territory, with leading professionals and business executives in the Northern Territory.

This club has an exciting future ahead of it: follow its progress via this link: linktr.ee.rotaractnt