Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)

The RYLA prograam began in Australia in 1959, when young people throughout the state of Queensland were selected to meet with Princess Alexandra, the young cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.  The Rotarians of Brisbane, who hosted the participants, were impressed with the quality of the young people and decided to bring youth leaders together each year for a week of social, cultural, and educational activities.  The RYLA program gradually grew throughout all the Rotary districts of Australia and New Zealand.  In 1971, the RI Board adopted RYLA as an official program of Rotary International.