Neil Simpson was awarded the prestigious Toyota Community Award for running the RYDA program to students.
John Elliott from Road Safety Education Ltd presented the award to Neil on Changeover night along with Jade Cowan the Dealer/Principal of Batemans Bay Toyota and all the team from the local Toyota dealerships.
I see this as a community award recognising the tireless work Neil has done since the committee was first formed in 2007. Neil has organised RYDA since 2016.
He receives terrific support from all volunteers involved. The program requires 30 people each day for a 2-day period in April, being held at the local Moruya Jockey Club. RYDA could not happen without their commitment to the youth in our area.
We cater to five high schools in Eurobodalla Shire, the course is available to all year 11 students each year. We have now presented to nearly 3000 local teenagers to date.
It involves local bus companies to transport the kids from all the areas to and fro, and we need great caterers from Moruya Rotary to feed these hungry young people on the day.
And we require costs to be kept to a minimum, so no one misses out.
This is a joint Rotary project run by the three local clubs of Batemans Bay/ Moruya/Narooma.
On behalf of the club, I would like to say thank you for recognising the tireless work that Neil does each year in running this program, and to all the volunteers that have supported Neil, one who travels from as far afield as Queensland each year.
This award is for all volunteers who make things happen and for the youth who we have made a difference to.
