Starting in September, through to the following summer, the Club supports the Ormiston Rivers Academy to take part in Rotary Youth Competitions. These may vary each year but have included:
- Young Chef;
- Youth Speaks;
- Youth Debates (District only);
- Young Writer;
- Young Artist;
- Young Musician;
- Young Photographer;
- Young Engineer.
The local winners in each category go on to a District Competition; then that winner enters the National Competition. A Burnham entrant recently went on to win the National Young Writer Competition.
Rotary provides trophies, certificates and prize money at each level. We believe the educational benefits and self-confidence generated by the competitions are good for the development of our children.
Although not Rotarians themselves, neutral volunteers judge the local competition as arranged by the Club. Other such volunteers also help local Academy children with one-to-one reading and comprehension tuition. This is but one example of how practical help can emerge from our Club activities and local contacts in the community.