True Blue Dreaming

​Francis Winfield was the Guest Speaker at the Attadale Rotary meeting held at Tompkins on Swan last Monday, 29 October. Francis spoke about 'True Blue Dreaming' which originated as a response to alarming rates of youth suicide and poor educational outcomes among young people in rural and remote Australian communities. It is a unique, holistic, youth mentoring and community development program which aims to inspire and build capacity in 11-18 year olds living in regional and remote areas, across Western Australia. The official launch of the True-Blue Dreaming Youth Mentoring Project took place at Wyalkatchem District High School on 27th June 2004. Although Wyalkatchem remains the flagship program, since 2004 True Blue Dreaming has grown and expanded significantly. They now provide youth mentoring and support services in eight locations across rural and regional WA, stretching from Bruce Rock in the Wheatbelt to as far north as Halls Creek in the Kimberley and many destinations in between.

The mentors typically are University students often from a rural background. The mentoring programs are based on a 12 month contract between participants. Mentoring of young students has been shown to raise school attendance and completion, support transition from school to further training and employment and to help young people to feel better connected to their school and their peers and generally raise their self-esteem.

True Blue Dreaming is a registered not for profit charity and has received financial support from organisations such as the Forrest Foundation,Lottery West, Rio Tinto and the Rotary Club of Applecross.
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Francis Winfield is pictured with Attadale Rotary President Ian Pittaway and Rotarian Martin Houchin.

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​Also speaking at the Rotary Club of Attadale on Monday, 29 October, was Louise Dinnie.  Louise is a Member of the Student Emerging Leaders Group- (MSEL). 

Louise reminded Rotary members of the workshops they ran with the students from Melville Senior High School. These workshops included the following:  Resume writing; Interpersonal skills and networking; as well as Interview skills.  Panel presentations from higher education institutions and professionals from industries the students were interested in.  The team found that engaging with students in smaller groups was easier and they were able to develop a better rapport with them.  The overall feedback was generally positive from the students.  The students indicated that they could use the workshops more before they select their ATAR courses for Years 11 and 12.
Rotarian Bev Moffat is pictured with Louise Dinnie.
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Also pictured are two happy Attadale Rotarians Winston Marsh and Greg James who were recently presented with their Birthday cupcakes by Club President Ian Pittaway.