Interact's purpose is to help other people, in our school, the Cessnock community; Nationally and Internationally.
We are tracking our impact through the following Google map site
We are learning more about how to use google maps to showcase our work and will update with new places
President - Liam Smith & Emma McLennan
Secretary - Heidi Richardson & Paige Gallagher
Treasurer - Zarlia Burns & Ella Bowers
In 2026 we have
Provided a information stall at Bunnings Cessncock for the Easter Market
Provided the canteen at the Athletics Carnival
Provided a drink station at the Cross Country
Given 75 packets of pencils to the John Hunter Hospital School
Provided 1000 items of clothes, toys and books to We Care Connect
Provided 1500 childrens books to the Fiji project
Recycled cans for PCYC Cessnock total $750
Created 250 bracelets for Cambodia project
Made 100 period bracelets for Uganda
Made 100 period bracelets for Nepal
Donated 1500 food items to our local services
Participated in the Cessnock show, with a scarecrow, floral arrangement and colouring in
Had students inducted into the Cessnock Youth Ambassador Program
Have a student selected for state youth parliament and federal youth parliament
Sent 11 students to RYPEN
Donated 2600 items of clothing to our local services
6 Attended Cessnock Rotary changeover
Volunteered at Cessnock Rotary events
6 Attended the Heartprint dinner at Telarah
Donated 106 pillowcases to WIRES
Donated four bags to Hope in a Suitcase
Built another house in Cambodia through Heartprint
Had year 12 students become friends of Greater Hunter Rotaract
Made 200 cards and art works for Rotary Cessnock Scone time
Started an Early Act at two of our primary schools
4 students have attended Rotaract meetings
Completed 7 Reverse Advent Calendar Boxes
Donated 150 pairs of prescription glasses to lions sight program
Donated 10 mobile phones to DV safe program
Donated money to RSPCA to buy toys for animals
Donated 50 items to RSPCA
7 students volunteered at Postie Bike Challenge
Began a tab collection. 10,000 needed for a wheelchair.
4 students attended the End Polio Park run
4 students attended 9660 District Conference
Nominated for NSW Team of the Year at NSW Volunteer Awards
Participated in clean up events
Donated 7 instruments to PCYC Cessnock
In 2025 we collected childrens books for Fiji and in early 2026 they arrived to be distributed into the community
4 of our students got to attend the District Conference in Newcastle in 2026 and got to meet the District Govenor Evan Burrell
The Club Excellence Award is the most significant award a Rotary Club can achieve. Recipient Clubs and their members have demonstrated a commitment to achieve their goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future.
The Club Excellence Award isn’t just an honour for your club to receive; it’s an important tool to help monitor the health and growth of your club. Taking action toward achieving the club excellence goals helps clubs engage their members, stay relevant in their communities, and function more efficiently. A welcoming and engaging club also reflects the values of Rotary. When clubs achieve their goals, they contribute to the overall health and culture of Rotary for generations to come.
6 of our students went to RYPEN at Bonny Hills, with Stacy driving the bus. Everyone learnt alot and continue to put it into practice, including attending the Rotary Club of Cessnock to talk about lessons learnt.
In August, Cessnock High School Interact was recognised for a School Achievement Award at Cessnock High School.
All members recieved a NSW Volunteer of the year award at the Hunter Regional Ceremony in October 2025
Collect 200 glasses for Lions
Collect clothing for the Cessnock area and donate to places who need support.
Collect 1000 food items to donate to local agencies.
Samaritans Emergency Relief.
Spirit of Giving
Have food for each of our thursday meetings.
Assist the environment through.
recycling cans and bottles.
participating in clean ups.
Support collection of items for Tonga.
Make 50 bags of DIY beads for Uganda.
Support Nepal with bracelets for period education.
Build a house in Cambodia.
Build a well in Cambodia.
Create 100 christmas hampers to gift to Kurri Kurri Community Services.
Make bracelets for cambodia for Jan 26.
Host one dinner in term 1 and 2
Support aged care.
Support animals.
Host an end polio education and fundraiser.
Support Cessnock PCYC with money for memberships.
Prepare bags for R U Ok Breakfast for Cessnock Business Chamber.
Starting with Cambodia, our bracelets have evolved into many other countries and increased their complexity. If you would like some made, get in touch with us.
Lions International is the world's largest service club organization, with over 1.4 million members in 46,000 clubs across 202 countries. They are known for their dedication to fighting blindness and other eye diseases. Interact had a goal of 200 glasses to be donated to go towards Lions International program called Lions Share the Sight. Service Director Elizabeth actually got 530 in 2025!
Positions:
Past President- Liam & Mayghan
President- Dominic & Rhea
Secretary- Mia & Maddi
Treasurers- Kirraleigh & Hannah
Public Relations- Ashleigh
Website- Nataliya
President 2025 - Dominic
President 2025 - Rhea
Secretary 2025- Mia
Secretary 2025- Maddi
Treasurer 2025- Kirraleigh
Public Relations 2025- Ashleigh
Website 2025- Nataliya
STACY & FERGUS
Cessnock Walks Kawuma presented us with a certificate of thanks and appreciation for all of our work in Catering for Cessnock Walks Kawuma 2024.
In 2024, I loved the Interact activities where:
we hosted people for dinner
we raised money for people in need
bushland festival
decorating monster cakes
opening the new hub
volunteering
raising money for our house in cambodia
Attendance at the meetings
Announced at Australia Day 2025, we were announced as young citizens of the year for 2024 in Cessnock.
Starting in Feb 2024, Interact relaunched and started working towards their goals
So far:
Donation to the PCYC of $750 for memberships through recycling cans and bottles
Donation to Spirit of Giving 1000 items of clothes,
Donation of food in the Cessnock area to the amount of 800 items
50 items of pet food
Donation to Rotary Club of East Maitland $3000 towards building a house in Cambodia (our aim is $3000) HOUSE BUILT JAN 2025
Donation to Rotary Club of East Maitland $700 for well in Cambodia - TWO WELLS FUNDED IN JAN 2025
A successful dinner for 105 people in term 1
Donated 100 items to share the dignity
Made 36 cards to brighten someones day
Donated 100 items to assist with laundry
donated 100 UHT milk to local community
Donated 100 hygiene packs to the local community
Made 500 bracelets to support education of women in Cambodia around their periods
Hosted 4 bacon and egg fridays to fundraise for our causes
Hosted two bunnings BBQs
Sent 4 students to the Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) in Port Macquarie
Three students attended the Rotary Club of Cessnock Changeover dinner
20 students completed their safe food handling certificate
Have had 3 guest speakers from Cessnock rotary to explain about how they joined and what they like about rotary
Have had two guest speakers from East Maitland Rotary to explain about Cambodia
Attended the Bushland Festival and supported Cessnock Council and Cessnock Rotary with the waste station
Over 40 students are recieving a Volunteering Award for their efforts this year
Lauren Parker Fundraiser
Attendance at Cessnock Walks Kawuma in November
Recruited by Hunter Health Insurance to do a letter box drop, they are then making a donation in our name to Maitland Healthstays
Collecting items for Tonga
Successful dinner in term 4
WON YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR FOR CESSNOCK 2025!!
Proudly sponsored by Rotary Club of Cessnock
Interact enjoying fellowship at their last Interact meeting for Term 3, 2024 - decorating cupcakes