Recently, Parliament House in Canberra hosted a gala dinner to celebrate the beginnings of National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) 40 years ago. Alumni, past Rotary District Chairs and politicians attended the event where Governor General Sam Mostyn spoke of the organisation, its importance and the achievements of its alumni.
At the conclusion of Science Week at NYSF a gala dinner was held to raise funds to support diversity in STEM and celebrate the 40 year history of the program. The setting for event was Parliament House in Canberra where 240 guests heard from Governor General Sam Mostyn, the Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, Retd. Air Marshall Warren McDonald of Lockheed Martin, Shadow Minister for Industry and Science Paul Fletcher, Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Monro and, 2021 alumni Vaishnavi Muddam who is undertaking a Bachelor in Philosophy in Science, as well as the Chair Patricia and CEO Melanie of NYSF. The Master of Ceremonies was ABC News Breakfast weather presenter, meteorologist and science communicator, Nate Byrne, a NYSF alumna. Aunty Violet Sheridan welcomed all to country.In 1984 Rotary was the founding partner (with passionate support from then Prime Minister Bob Hawke) to establish National Summer School (later named National Youth Science Forum). It began that year with 200 students and today hosts some 500-600 students at the Australian National University and the University of Queensland. Over those years Rotary was a major financial contributor to the program by way of the sponsorship of students attending the NYSF summer programs as well as managing much of the organisational and administrative aspects of the January programs. This included promoting the program to schools and selecting and supporting students whilst attending the programs. Along with Rotary, NYSF partners with many other organisations including the Australian Government, Lockheed Martin, CSIRO, CSL, DST, several other universities (Uni NSW, Melbourne, Monash, Adelaide, Canberra, Newcastle and Griffith, as well as GHD Foundation, Organon, ResMed, ACPSEM and Australian Space Agency, with support also from the Australian Academy of Science, Australian Academy of Technology Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Australia, Questacon and Parliamentary Office Australia.
Attending the dinner from District 9800 were stalwarts and D9800 NYSF royalty Gabrielle Morgan and Anne Brown both of whom have supported the program for many 
years as Committee Chairs. and as ‘aunties’ at the 2011 program. They continue to support District activities and current co-chairs Bronwyn Fanning and Chris Richardson. Several former chairs from Australia-wide and NYSF alumni attended the evening, including long term CEO of NYSF and Rotarian, Dr Geoff Burchfield.
years as Committee Chairs. and as ‘aunties’ at the 2011 program. They continue to support District activities and current co-chairs Bronwyn Fanning and Chris Richardson. Several former chairs from Australia-wide and NYSF alumni attended the evening, including long term CEO of NYSF and Rotarian, Dr Geoff Burchfield.