Posted by: Steve Nolan in Sydney, 2012 on
Apr 02, 2012
There were tears at the airport today (not from me as I don't tend to get emotional in public) as Nikki and Cheryl jetted off back home to the UK. Very sad - it's odd to spend pretty much an entire month in someone's company and then have to say goodbye.
Andy and Emma also flew off but up to Cairns for a visit to the Great Barrier Reef and then onto Uluru before heading back to Sydney to fly home next week.
For me and Dan, we headed back into the city to an awesome youth hostel called Wake Up Sydney! - my first experience of anything remotely backpacky. The aim is to fly off to the Gold Coast for four or five nights now, so we will book something later on.
Some beach and bar action is well earned I think after such a hectic Rotary schedule over the last month.
I must say though that it has been an absolutely incredible experience and I actually cannot speak highly enough of it.
Not only have I made incredible friends, both in the team that I came out with and many of the Australians that we've met, but I've had the opportunity to see parts of Sydney and do things that a simple backpacking trip just wouldn't allow.
I also like to think that I've somehow grow as a person over the last month as a result. Not only have a grown in confidence hugely as a result of the presentations and having to be ultra-sociable 24/7 (that was a test at times), but I've learnt huge amounts about my profession too and learned to be a more tolerant person - you have to be when you are living with strangers and travelling in a group of six strong personalities.
I'm now considering my career - radio interests me and possibly even TV.
I'm also now very much open to the idea of working abroad for a period - something I've never seriously considered before, but I've learnt that the world is a much bigger place than Luton and there are some stunning places to visit and/or live.
Of course, I'd love to say I'm upping sticks and moving to Sydney (I really have fallen in love with this place), but what with the country's ridiculously strict immigration rules and my lack of a job and/or any money, I think that might be a pipe dream for now.
I guess this trip has broadened my horizons, both professionally and personally, and I'm so grateful to Rotary for the opportunity to take part. I would honestly urge any young proffesional who fits the GSE criteria in future years to throw their hat into the ring and get signed up!
What a month!
Posted by: Cheryl Law in Sydney, 2012 on
Apr 01, 2012
It all seems to have gone so so quickly! I'm sure mainly because of the packed schedule, there was no time wasted. The only time I felt like absconding (and the team too) was when we had fitted in a trip to Bondi Beach on the last day but one. The sun was shining, the sky blue, the water warm and the surf rolling. We had such a great time, and then we had to leave for a Mayoral visit! It was a close thing, but duty called, showers were had and the visit went ahead.
Ive literally just got in from the airport, but I wanted to say a few things.
Posted by: Emma Eyles in Sydney, 2012 on
Apr 01, 2012
Sorry we've not written for a while but the internet connection was down at our last host mum and dad's.
Time certainly flies when you're having fun and I can't believe it's April already! We have done so much in one month and have met so many incredible people along the way.
Posted by: Daniel Stewart in Sydney, 2012 on
Mar 29, 2012
I can't quite believe it but there really is just one day of this incredible experience to go. This week as been has packed as every other. A morning wine tasting (that's right, a morning wine tasting) in the Hunter Valley was a great way to kick it off. Not every wine could find favour with all of our distinguished connoisseurs, though:
Posted by: Nikki Hall in Sydney, 2012 on
Mar 29, 2012
Firstly an apology for a lack of blogs from my side... a lack of accessibility to the internet is to blame but am back online now... if a little late.
So sad to say that this is my last night with my final hosts in Sydney. This week and last week went by in a total flash. They do say time flies when you're having fun and oh, how right they are!
Posted by: Cheryl Law in Sydney, 2012 on
Mar 28, 2012
Hi,
That's it the final full length presentation all done and dusted! We did a completely different style of presentation than previously, as it was all about Oz!
Posted by: Steve Nolan in Sydney, 2012 on
Mar 28, 2012
Tonight was tinged with a little sadness as we had to say a final goodbye to a lot of the kind and wonderful people we've met during our stay in Australia at our farewell dinner.
Several of the co-ordinators and hosts, not to mention the countless others who have helped show us around or simply been kind and complimentary about our presentations, will be at a GSE fundraiser on Friday or the airport to say bon voyage on Saturday, but for many tonight was a real opportunity to say thank you.
Posted by: Cheryl Law in Sydney, 2012 on
Mar 26, 2012
For all of you who think this GSE malarkey is just another word for holidays, we were up at 5am this morning to go into Sydney fruit, veg and flower market. It was very interesting and I got some great pictures which I will put up shortly.
We then followed this with breakfast in an Italian cafe (the market traders seemed to be having dinner), and then it was off to the Olympic Park. This was an impressive site, and hopefully the UK site will be used in a similar fashion. A two hour tour proved very tiring, but it was very informative. Wee then had a mad dash to the shops as we wanted to pick up some bits and pieces. It may be hard to believe, but we haven't really had time to do any.
Posted by: Emma Eyles in Sydney, 2012 on
Mar 23, 2012
G'day from down under!
After not blogging for a week there is so much to tell you! As there have been a few other updates, here are some of my highlights...
Posted by: Andrew Kay in Sydney, 2012 on
Mar 22, 2012
It has been an extremely action packed week and I am having a great time.
First of all, here is a picture of Emma and our first host Sue - which I think is really nice
Emma and I stayed with Gavin and Liz last week. They looked after us amazingly. We were woken every morning by the sound of parrots and kookaburras - which according to Wikipedia are 'terrestrial kingfishers native to Australia and New Guinea" (as I'm sure you all know!)
Gavin and Liz also drove us down to the District Conference, where we all spoke in front of 500-600 people and enjoyed a masked ball.
One of the highlights last week was getting to sail on Love and War, the all time record-equaling yacht which has won the famous Sydney-Hobart race three times. Lindsay May (part of the winning team) took us out and even gave us all a chance to steer around Sydney Harbour.
I have also been finding out more about the work of Rotary here in Australia. Here is Rotarian Barbara Ward, who works at the San Hospital (posing next to the plaque of all the achievements of Rotary at the site).
Over the last few weeks I have also done lots of work placements - ranging from visiting the Sydney Morning Herald, Hornsby Advocate newspaper, Peninsula News and Aussie version of the Press Complaints Commission.
Today I also visited 2GO radio and Sea FM and spent time with the News Editor for both stations.
I am currently staying with Mark and Margaret, who have made me feel extremely welcome.
Every Wednesday Mark takes part in a twilight sailing race and last night I got to join his crew. I am told we finished in a 'respectable' midfield place. Here are a few pictures of the sunset at the end of the race (it's a tough life)
Off on a bush walk tomorrow daytime (after getting up for a 7am-start breakfast Rotary meeting). In the evening we are meeting Rotactors (the youth branch of Rotary).
......Work, work work!!
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