On July 20, 2025, we gathered at St Aidan’s Girls Anglican School in Corinda, to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Interact Clubs throughout our District at the D9620 Interact Conference 2025.
Held annually, the Conference is a celebration of each Interact Club’s projects and endeavours in the past year, culminating in the Interact Showcase Presentation which takes the form of a three-minute elevator pitch. 
The day was alive with inspiration as clubs shared stories of their incredible projects, including the Noosa District School's Sleep Rough fundraising event, Mount St Michael’s Got Talent, and the Krispy Kreme and Zooper Dooper Drives from Redcliffe State High School. Mansfield State School were the winners of the 2025 Interact Showcase presentation and Albany Creek State High School won the inaugural Photo Competition prize which their Action photos in a collage of their annual Breast Cancer cricket match fundraiser!
Students from 15 High Schools across Queensland and Students from Interact Clubs in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, heard from our amazing guest speakers Christine West from the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital, entrepreneur, Consolate Kabaliza, Ryan Chapman, founder of Yellow Dive Australia, and Bernie Wilson from D9620 Rotary Youth Exchange. Consolate grew up in a culture where women typically didn’t dream of being athletes or owning businesses. She spoke to students about how she defied expectations and founded a thriving sportswear brand and how she learnt to develop a growth mindset. Christine spoke about her amazing advocacy for the Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital, that could have fund-raising and volunteer opportunities for Interactors and Rotarians. Students heard from The Honourable Sam O’Connor, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth and heard about his journey as a young person in public service.
Students also found time to be in the sun with Rotary Youth Transition Seminar in an engaging breakout session. A highlight of this year’s conference was the House of Friendship. Students enjoyed engaging with our record 15 exhibitors and learning more about amazing Rotary programs and initiatives such as Rotaract, D9620 Rotary Youth Exchange, School Kits for Congo, Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group, ROTATE, Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment, Teacher in a Box, Food Plant Solutions and BeefBank – Great Australian Charity Cattle Drive, Australian Rotary Health and more.
This year held special significance as we celebrated 40 years of the Interact program at St Aidan’s Girls Anglican School, highlighting the dedication of both students and teachers. A special mention to Keith Rogers, Graeme Buntain and all members of the Rotary Club of Jindalee for their longstanding support, and to Kristen, Nat, and Kate from St Aidan’s for their crucial role in organizing the conference.
Sunday was a celebration of growth, commitment, and the steadfast dedication of every school and Interact Club to serving their communities. The Interact Committee are especially grateful to DG (and former Interactor) Mark Williams for spending the day with our amazing Interactors. Special thank you to IPDG Sue Mulraney and DGE (and former Interactor) Ian Hope and to all Rotary Clubs who sponsor Interact Clubs for you valued support of the program.
Myles Waugh, D9620 Interact Vice-Chair & Communications Director
