Chair 2024 - 2025 Dale McIntyre
 
 
Defying the Drift aims to encourage, motivate and enthuse young Australian men and women to explore options, formulate goals and implement strategies to assist in their development of a career in regional and rural Australia.  Their website is www.defyingthedrift.org
 
Members:
Kevin Stuart: Belmont, Peter Oddie: Ararat, George Kirsanovs: Beaufort, Tony Sutherland: Beaufort, Geoff Eagle: Horsham East, Helen Teakle: Nhill, Martin McKay: Maryborough, Deb Robertson: Alfredton.
 
Application information 2025
 
THE PROGRAM
 
PART 1 Residential Course at Longerenong College Horsham, Mon 22 - Wed 24 September 2025.
PART 2 Presentation by each participant to their sponsoring Rotary Club after Part 1, to be completed by the end of November 2025
 
APPLICATIONS - APPLY EARLY TO ENSURE A PLACE. Early bird closes 31 July. Final Closing date August 31 unless all places are filled prior.
Students are admitted to the program on assessment of completed application, date completed application is received and number of places available. (Note that the Defying the Drift Committee reserves the right to limit the number of applicants per school if the program is oversubscribed.)
To speak with a Rotary member before lodging an application, email defyingthedrift@rotary9780.org with your contact details and a Rotary member will respond. Applicants will be notified as soon as practical whether or not their application has been successful.
 
This year, application is via online forms – separate forms need to be completed by Student applicants, Parent/Guardian, School and sponsoring Rotary club.
Each person needs to record the student name & school email, so make sure they know it!
Step 1 - Contact your local Rotary Club to arrange sponsorship.
Sponsorship will include assistance with the course fee and a meeting date at which each student can make their presentation. (See Step 4 below)
Ask the Rotary Club representative to record their information on the Rotary Club online form.
 
Step 2 - Confirm School Details ask your Careers Teacher, Year Level Coordinator or other Teacher to complete their details and a brief statement in support of your application on the School Contact online form
Step 3 - Provide Family Details and Consent It is important to provide all of the following information:
Students complete Student Application online form
Parents/Guardians complete Parent/Guardian online form – including medical information and consents to attend.
(If student is 18 yrs old, they may complete both of these forms themselves)
Step 4 – Rotary club completes payment
Course Fee $350 per student. Early Bird $250 per student paid by July 31
The cost to participate in Defying the Drift is subsidised by Sponsors and Longerenong College.
A contribution towards these costs of $350 is requested from each participant to assist with accommodation and all meals for the three-day residential course at Longerenong College, tuition fees, farm visits, all course notes and a Defying the Drift shirt. It is recommended that students pay $100 and the sponsoring Rotary Club contribute $250, however, Clubs may elect to pay a different proportion of the fee.
Sponsor Clubs are requested to remit the full fee of $350 per student (or $250 Early Bird by 31 July) by
Direct Credit to: Rotary Club of Beaufort Inc. Project Account (BBL)
BSB no: 633 000 Account no: 167 195 502
Reference: Name and Sponsoring Rotary Club