Australia Day commendation for RYDA

ogramme (RYDA) run by local Rotary clubs has received high commendation as part of the state’s Australia Day Awards.

Awarded under the category of South Australian Community Event of the Year, Governor of South Australia, His Excellency Hieu Van Le AO, acknowledged the efforts of Rotary Club volunteers during a presentation held at Crowne Plaza, Adelaide on Monday.

RYDA was introduced to the Barossa region in 2007 in response to the over-representation of local youth in road crashes and fatalities. Since then, more than 2,600 young people have been provided with driver education.

Mrs Sue Fuller, president of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley said the success of the programme was a combined effort.

“It’s the three Rotary Clubs, the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley, Rotary Club of Barossa District and the Rotary Club of Kapunda – the volunteers come from those three clubs.

“It is a programme we just believe in so strongly.”

Describing the one day driver safety programme as practical and powerful, Sue said Year 10 and 11 students from Nuriootpa High School, Faith Lutheran College, Kapunda High School and Eudunda Area School have all benefited from its strong message.

 For the full story see this week’s edition of The Leader.