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I. Introduction
Our Rotary District (6760) is planning a couples oriented, personally
financed Friendship Exchange to Perth , Western Australia (Rotary District 9470) in October 2006.
The emphasis throughout the Friendship Exchange will be social and cultural rather than professional and/or academic, which is the hallmark of Rotary International sponsored youth, ambassadorial, and group study exchanges. That said, if you make the trip, you will be asked to submit biographical information which will be used in matching you with Rotary hosts in Western Australia.
While in Western Australia) Oct 21 - Oct 31, we will be hosted by fellow Rotarians in their homes, thus greatly reducing the cost to District 6760 participants. Prior to the "hosted" portion of the Friendship Exchange, there will be an optional 8 day (from Oct 13 to Oct 20) tour of sites in the eastern portion of Australia including Sydney, Cairns and Ayers Rock. Following the "hosted" portion of the Friendship Exchange in Western Australia, there will a second optional 7 day visit (from Nov 1 to Nov 7) to New Zealand including stops in Auckland, Christ Church and Queenstown.
II. Itinerary
A. October 13 thru October 20 - Optional pre-Western Australia visit to eastern Australia including:
* Sydney's Architectural Gem - the World Famous Opera House;
* Blue Mountain and a taste of the Outback;
* Museums for every interest;
* Harbor Ferry Rides and Exquisite Beaches;
* Bridge Climb -not for the feint of heart;
* Scuba diving and glass bottom boat excursions on the incredible
Great Barrier Reef (World's Largest Living Coral Reef);
* Breathtaking Sunrise and Sunset at Ayers Rock (Sacred
Aboriginal Site in Outback).
B. October 21 thru October 31 - Western Australia - planned and coordinated by Rotary District 9470, xpected to include sites in and around Perth, Fremantle (Port City), as ell as the Outback and Wine Country.
C. November 1 thru November 8 - Optional Post-Western Australia visit to New Zealand including:
* North and South Islands;
* Bundle up for Antarctica Exhibit depicting early South Pole
explorers;
* Visit the Modern Antarctica Exhibit in Auckland;
* Enjoy the Unique Maori (Native Pacific Islanders) Museum in
Auckland;
* Bungee Jumping Capital of the World (Queenstown) for the truly
daring, or Jet Boating the Rapids for the Less Adventurous;
* Stroll thru the Lush Botanical Gardens in Christ Church;
* Other Outdoor Adventure Activities are Available.
III. Logistics
Because the Friendship Exchange is personally financed, and realizing that participants may wish to use airline travel points, and desire maximum travel flexibility, no attempt will be made to purchase a block of tickets or hotel rooms. However, a deposit will be collected in advance by the Friendship Exchange leaders. (Rotarian Dana C. McLendon, Jr., downtown Nashville Club and Mary Huston McLendon.) and used to cover certain minor group expenses such as necessary administrative costs, some ground transportation, and medical evacuation/ remains repatriation insurance for all participants. Closer to the time of the trip, after more detailed budgeting, additional deposit amounts may be required.
To assist you in your planning, you will receive a copy of the Friendship Exchange Leaders' flight schedules, hotel reservations and a location and a window of time during which you will need to link up with the leaders regardless of your individual travel arrangements. We have found round trip coach fares between Nashville and Perth to be approximately $2,000. Internal flights within Australia and New Zealand, as well as the flight to Auckland are additional. (Trip Leaders will provide money saving "lessons learned" to assist participants in their travel planning).
IV. Application
Space is limited to the first (probably will be 7) Rotarians who complete and submit the application with a deposit of $ 250 per person ($500 per couple). In the event demand is great enough, we plan to schedule a second Friendship Exchange to Western Australia in the timeframe between February 20 and March 26, 2007; however, the first trip must be fully booked to warrant a second one.
In the event there is not room on the first Friendship Exchange, and you do not wish your deposit to be held for the second Friendship Exchange, it will be returned to you in full.
Point of Contact
(and Mailing Address for Application and Deposit)
Dana C. McLendon, Jr.
District 6760 Friendship Exchange Officer
214 Halberton Drive
Franklin TN 37069
615-790-1351
DCMcLendon@aol.com (Best way of Contact)
The AUSSIES Are Coming!
Part 4
In advance of the Austrialian GSE team's arrival to our district, we'll profile members of that GSE team. Read a bit about the Team and be better hosts while they visit with us in the Volunteer State
HEATHER BLACKLOCK
GSE Team Member
District 9470 Western Australia
Biographical Information
Full name: Healther Blacklock
Gender: Female
Personal Background & Interests
I was born in Northam, Western Australia, December 17th 1974. I have two siblings, an older sister who is 35 and a younger brother who is 26. My sister has a son aged 5, and a daughter aged 2.
My siblings and I are first generation Australians, with our parents coming to Australia in 1970 from England. My mother is English and my father was born in what is now Zimbabwe, in East Africa.
I grew up in Kojonup another small rural community in Western Australia and completed my schooling at Kojonup until year 10, then Katanning Senior High School for years 11 and 12. I have since completed a Bachelor of Business through Edith Cowan University, via correspondence. I live with my partner of the past 6 years, who is a 4th generation Corrigin local farmer. His farm is approximately 7,500 acres and he grows wheat, barley and lupins and runs 2000 sheep. Corrigin is small rural community which covers an area of 3,095km2 and has a population of 1286 with approximately 800 in the townsite and the remaining living on farming properties within the Shire.
I am a keen sports enthusiast. I particularly love following Aussie Rules football at a local (Corrigin Tigers) and National level (West Coast Eagles). I also follow the local and national cricket teams. I play golf and tennis and my partner is a keen water skier so we are quite often out at the nearest lake. I have a love of travelling and have been on a number of overseas trips to the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, New Zealand, Canada, USA and Malaysia. I also enjoy travelling through our state and the rest of Australia.
I am involved in a number of different community organisations including being a member of the Golf Club committee, Community Resource Centre committee, Dog and a Ute organising committee and Ladies Football club committee treasurer. While in Nashville I would love to attend any sporting events such as American Football and play a round of golf. If possible I would also like to attend a Country music concert, in particular Keith Urban.
Vocational Background & Interests
I have worked in Local Government for the past 12½ years, the first 4½ years at the Shire of Kojonup, and the past 8 at the Shire of Corrigin. I started at the Shire of Kojonup as a trainee receptionist, I was then promoted to the position of finance/purchasing officer. I then moved to Corrigin in 1998 as an Administration Officer, which I held until September when I was then promoted to the position of Senior Administration Officer. In 2000 I was given a new role as Senior Finance/Community Development Officer. This new role involved the management of the Shire’s finances but also providing assistance to community organisations and the Shire in securing grant funding and looking at ways to develop the community via various projects. In March 2004 I was promoted to my current position as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer. This role involves managing the financial management of the Shire, Staff management (25 employees), legislation compliance, agenda and minute preparation, event and project management and any other duties that a small rural Council encounters on a daily basis. With such a small office this can involve answering the phone, dog catching or what ever is needed.
I would like to visit a similar level of government that deals with people on a grass roots level, to gain an understanding of how they operate and the many challenges they face. In particular I would like to visit a smaller or as rural as possible Local Government that may have similar issues to a small community such as Corrigin.
The issues that I would like to discuss are:
* Population change.
* Lack of resources to support ageing and new infrastructure.
* Provision of changing services and expectations of the community.
* What type of services they provide.
* Amalgamations of small local governments into larger regional organisations.
* Cost shifting from one level of government to another. For example the State and Federal Government used to supply all childcare facilities etc, now they expect this to be provided more by Local Government but they do not provide any funding to Local Government to assist.
* How do they raise revenue, for example from rates, fees and charges and government grants?
Accommodation & Diet
I would prefer not to be housed with smokers as I am a non-smoker.
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