By Sue Roger
Community Services Director – Greater Springfield Rotary
On Saturday, September 30, our District Governor Paul Roger and his wife Sue attended the annual Bordie Awards 2023 for Borderline.
Rotary International received the ‘Create Impact Award’.
This is a new award given to an individual, business, organisation, or group who has made a major contribution to Mental Health awareness and education in Australia.
The winner is recognised for creating a huge impact through their work, shining a bright light on mental health especially with teenagers across the nation.
What is Borderline?
Borderline founder and CEO Cody Schaeffer started Borderline in 2019, because he saw a lack of FREE projects and programs dedicated to empowering young people in a relatable way, mental health education, and smashing the stigma involved with talking about youth mental health for teenagers and society.
Through education and programs like their Borderline Youth Camp they aim to help teenagers all over Australia find themselves and the fantastic future ahead!
Borderline is similar to Rotary youth programs (i.e. RYPEN, PYTS, and RYLA), but different in that the Borderline Camps have a focus on mental health of teenagers, and they are free, through Borderline obtaining sponsorship and raising funds to provide the courses.
Youth development
There are never enough programs or camps of this nature to meet the need so Borderline is a welcome addition to this important area of youth development. The Borderline program also aligns with Rotary’s focus on mental health and reduction of the stigma associated with mental illness.
Borderline currently has 38 incredible volunteers working all year round on programs that push boundaries, start conversations, and completely change lives! It is interesting to note that among these volunteers are past Rotary Youth program alumni and Rotaractors.
It seems a no-brainer that a partnership between Rotary and Borderline makes perfect sense. DG Paul hopes that as Borderline grows, its involvement with Rotary clubs will grow, and we will have a long and enduring partnership for the benefit of our youth.
– Sue Roger
Community Services Director
For further information, email hey@borderlinecamp.com or call 0435 170 669.
The Greater Springfield Rotary Club meets every Thursday from 6:30pm at the Aveo auditorium, at 2 Symphony Way, Springfield Central.
Meat tray raffle fundraising night takes place Fridays from 6:30pm at Ballistic Beer Springfield.
See also: Lions Australia’s first Multiple District Council chairwoman: Kim Forrest
