The not to be missed Event: Clubs WA Industry Forum!

Clubs WA Industry Forum is fast approaching! Come and be inspired by guest speaker Peter Kenyon, who after working with over 1000 communities in the past 20 years knows how to expand your business by involving the community and resources in your area. After hearing these motivating stories, be amazed by comedian hypnotist, Matthew Hale. Using just the power of his mind, watch Matthew captivate his audience and laugh at the hilarious antics and participation of the crowd. The Industry Forum is Monday, October 21st and tickets are on sale now! Visit clubswa.com.au for more information!

Looking to complete your RSA, simply visit www.workbehindabar.com.au, or any of our alternate domains below that are live and link to www.workbehindabar.com.au through the button that says ‘Start Training NOW’. 

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Clubs WA 2012 AGM, Club Industry Forum and Trade Expo is coming up!

Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge Interview with the 2012 Winner- Benjamin Jerez

Walk in the Footprints of Heroes

Australians walk the Kokoda Track in memory of more than 2,000 soldiers who died during World War II while defending Papua New Guinea from the invading Japanese army. Walking the Kokoda Track is both a mental and physical challenge that has the potential to draw out previously unseen leadership skills. 

“You can read about it, you can watch

 documentaries, you can watch the

movies, but until you have walked the

footsteps you’ll never understand it.”

Charlie Lynn – former Australian Soldier

& NSW Upper House Politician

Our Interview with 2012 winner - Benjamin Jerez

What does Kokoda mean to you?

Kokoda is the most significant WW2 location and event in our ANZAC history. It is very important to me that we always pay tribute and respect to those soldiers, as they are what saved our nation from invasion.

I know how much of an honour and privilege it will be to walk and endure the trek. Completing the trek with other young people nationwide, would mean the world to me! I keep the ANZAC spirit close to me as it gives me a sense of pride and belonging to who I am today.                                                                                                    

What sporting activities / hobbies are you involved in?

I love sport, I always have. 

I started Taekwondo at the age of four and have pursued it to this very day. It is my passion and I plan to continue Taekwondo for the rest of my life. 

I also play football for my local club the South Bunbury Football Club. I play for their colts team and I also coach an Under 13s side full of young boys who share the same passion for football as me. 

They are both sports that I play at competitive level. Cricket, tennis and volleyball are sports that I play at a social level, and appreciate more for their welcoming community and social nature.

Tell us about your community contributions / volunteer work.

I have been part of my community’s Youth Advisory Council ( A group of young people who have concerns about the issues teenagers face today, and also a bunch who love to host events for people in our community), since the age of 12. We volunteer for other groups such as the over 50s, Group TENG (an environmentalist group) and the local Lions Club. I am now the President of the group and we have huge goals for the upcoming year.

What drives your passion for your community?

I really believe in giving to the community because the joy and success that comes out of it is really worthwhile. This passion started when I volunteered coaching and teaching taekwondo for my club. Seeing the appreciation from the parents and kids was priceless and it creates an addictive buzz that keeps me

going. 

I emphasize the satisfaction and joy that is the result of volunteering and helping, and also highlight how important volunteers are to our community. If I ever see a teenager who is lonely, isolated or wanting something more I always suggest to join a group, club or to volunteer because the environment is always very welcoming and supportive.

What are you looking forward to most on the trek?

I hope to achieve a better understanding of my nation’s history and ANZAC spirit. 

I also am hoping to grow friendships throughout the trip, where we support and encourage each other to push to the limit. I hope that the friends I make will be friends for a lifetime. 

I also hope to have a better understanding and appreciation for the Papua New Guinean culture and traditions. They are such a fascinating culture with very interesting beliefs and traditions.

Is there anything you’re apprehensive about for the trek?

I am cautious about the extreme weather; I have never been in such harsh conditions so that is one aspect I am a little apprehensive about. 

Also my health while I am over there - I am hoping I don’t get any stomach bugs and chronic migraines. The incline and altitude of some of the track is quite intimidating too, as I have heard from people who have completed the trek; that the incline of some of the terrain will be my biggest challenge.

How are you preparing yourself, mentally and physically, for the trek?

I have been going for runs at a high intensity for a distance around five to six kilometres. Extended walks have also been on my training program - These, I consider important, as I have tried to simulate many variables the same as what will be like on the trek. I often take a bag or weights and walk through areas with coarse tracks and incline. I do many different core exercises, as the core is important for keeping all muscles such as the back and abdomen strong and stable. Mentally has been a bit more of a challenge, however comes into practice when I am found having to ‘push’ myself to complete a run or bridge (core exercise).

Anything else you’d like to say?

I would really like to give my heartfelt thanks to Clubs WA for choosing me to go on this life changing experience. I am thrilled to represent Western Australia and Clubs WA on this trek and I look forward to being back and sharing my stories with everyone! 

Clubs WA wishes Benjamin a safe journey! 

This article can also be found on our website at www.clubswa.com.au

Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge- WA Representative Selected!

Thank you to all the clubs that encouraged your junior members and family members to apply for the Clubs WA Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge. Six applicants were short listed from the extensive number of high calibre applications that came in:

• Samuel McKeon, Albany
• Vivien Mathews , Geraldton
• Brendon Scott, Seville Grove
• Benjamin Jerez, Bunbury
• Campbell Simpson, Yerecoin
• Philip Clegg, Mosman Park 

Clubs WA is proud to announce that 16 year old Benjamin Jerez will be representing Western Australia and Clubs WA in the 2012 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge!

Below is an introduction to Benjamin :

My name is Ben. I turn 17 this August. I am in Year 12 at Bunbury Catholic College and heavily involved in their leadership groups. Ever since the age of 12, I have been a part of my community’s Youth Advisory Council, where we always are volunteering for community events, other groups such as the Over 50’s, other youth groups, the surf life club and local schools.

I volunteered to coach a junior team at my local South Bunbury Football Club and where I have played for 9 years and I love it. In 2009, I was one of 6 candidates for West Australian
Youth of the Year. In 2010, I received the Long Tan Defence Force Leadership award from my school Principal.

I am heavily involved in sport and love to volunteer anywhere in my community. I hope to stay involved in my clubs for as long as I can.

Every year I put my hand up to help out in any way on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day because I am and always have been fascinated and appreciative of these men who went to war. My great grandfather was enrolled during the months of Kokoda, stationed somewhere in Northern Queensland. I would love to walk the track in memory of him but also for self fulfilment.

I am at a stage of my life where I don’t know what exactly I want to do with my future and the kind of person I’m going to be as an adult. I have many ambitions to travel to countries such as Cambodia and assist and help the children suffering there, which is where my cousin is now and is doing.

I believe through conquering the track, I will learn even more about my cultural and historical context and also grow tremendously as a person.

I continue to strive in everything I do and one day dream to make an impact in this world, and what better way to start that journey than by tackling the Kokoda track on its 70th Anniversary!

This article is an extract from the July 2012 Clubs WA Service Bulletin. Please visit our website for more information: http://www.clubswa.com.au/

2012 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge Finalists

Congratulations to the applicants of the 2012 Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge who have made the short list and will be interviewed in the coming week!

We would like to wish our congratulations and good luck to Samuel McKeon, Vivian Matthews, Brendon Scott, Campbell Simpson, Philip Clegg and from South Bunbury Football Club, Benjamin Jerez!

National Volunteer Week has now come to an end.

Last week was National Volunteer Week. Without our hard working volunteers so much of what our clubs do would not be possible.

Let us know if your club got involved to recognise your hard working volunteers or comment to tell us about volunteers at your club that continually go above and beyond the call of duty!