It had to come…

April 9 2011

It had to come—the last day in WA for the 5870 GSE Exchange team.  Before I talk about it, though, let’s review the previous days.  On Thursday evening, the team made its ‘going away’ presentation to gathered host families and key Rotarians hosted by the Melville Rotary Club at the yacht club (we have grown quite accustomed to tea at the yacht club!).

As the families were arriving, the quiet dining room was transformed into a host of emotions as the team renewed acquaintances with host families across our GSE five week program.  Big smiles, some tears, and excitement were in the air.  The funniest scene was the image of team members on their knees around the projector table as they furiously made last minute additions and edits to ‘the final show’.  Crystal did her tech magic in bringing our six contributions on images into one coherent and music accompanied video.  Then, it was show time.  Our team has been quite disciplined in making crisp, on time presentations….so we decided to throw that out the window and share our collective impressions of WA (Western Australia for you non-Aussie readers).

We presented an hour long montage.  I was watching the audience and I could not see one sign of waning interest.  The presentation consisted of an intro by me, with appropriate anecdotes, reminding everyone of our geographic journey from Austin.  I closed with a picture tribute to my six host families—amazingly warm and hospitable to this American Rotarian. I could not find the words to express my appreciation.

Next, each team member gave their individual perspectives through a series of themes:  food and wine, culture, Aussie sayings, transportation (we have utilized every available type), and sport.  Each member also closed their part with their own personal tribute to their host families.  Then came the video showing all aspects of our five weeks throughout WA, set to great Texas music.

The evening finale was a series of fines administered in rapid succession by team members and attributed to our host Rotary Clubs for various ‘incidents’ that occurred throughout our five week sojourn.  Here is only one example, a fine to the Rotary Club of Gnowangerup for ‘forgetting’ Crystal when the bus pulled out from a convenience stop on the way from Albany back to Gnowangerup.  The bus had traveled a good five kilometers before Olga said,”Where is Crystal?”.  Back we went to get a somewhat flustered Crystal who was in the foodstore negotiating a ride. It was the last time that I, as team leader, did not personally take a count before departing!

All the fines (and there were many, many) left the audience filled with laughter.  The team requested that the collective fines of Aussie dollars be contributed to the Rotary Foundation in support of its many fine programs, including GSE.  District Govenor Marilyn presented each team member with lovely gifts, mementoes of what we experienced for five weeks–amazing Aussie hospitality.

On Friday, the last day of our official GSE program, We spread out across Perth for our final vocational visits (mine was at Notre Dame University, a private Catholic uni in Freemantle).  The afternoon was free and we used it to begin sorting and packing our belongings which had grown significantly from five weeks of gifts from Rotary Clubs and personal shopping along the way.

We had agreed to stay in for the last night….and ended uphaving a barbie at the home of my host Leigh Smith.  Leigh’s home is a magnificent townhome, which he designed and exquisitely furnished.  Fresh Thai salad, petite lambchops, cut with a butterknife steaks, and lots of fine Aussie wine.  The evening was a great combination of eating, drinking, storytelling, capped off with our signature Texas linedancing…and ending much later in Leigh’s spa.

Team members Johanna, Crystal, Anita, Susan, and Olga loosen up!

Host Leigh grilling delectables on the barbie

6 am at the Perth airport

On their way ...

Team leader Rick and wife Debbie reunited with their Rotary daughter Stephanie, her husband Dirk, and handsome boys Bailey, Austin, and Charlie

A few hours later….we rose at 5 am to get to the airport as I and host families delivered four of our five team members for their flight to Sydney.  Johanna flys on to Austin; Anita and Olga will enjoy a few days in Sydney; and Susan will join up with her boyfriend Alan for more travel in Australia and New Zealand.  Crystal and I are staying in Perth.  She will spend some time with Aussie footballers as she explores business possibilites for her consulting firm.  I (very happily) will be joined by my wife Debbie who arrives in Perth today!  We will spend next week visiting with our Rotary exchange student from 18 years ago, Stephanie, who now lives in Perth with her husband Dirk and three handsome boys boys Bailey, Austin, and Charlie.

It’s the magic of Rotary that allows you to make friends from around the world, and keep them for life.  I think that is the perfect summary of the District 5870 GSE Team from Central Texas to Western Australia.

G’day Mates!

Serendipity

We weren’t supposed to be riding to Rottenest Island on a gorgeous yacht today.  Our trip there was scheduled for last Wednesday. If you recall, however, last week we got on a yacht and the engine gave out on us.  We were disappointed thinking that our hopes of seeing Rottenest had been shattered. We were never meant to be sailing on the stunning sapphire sea but we were today. It was certainly a fortunate accident—it was SERENDIPITY! We boarded a luxurious 50ft yacht with Brent and Leigh who were excellent hosts.  My mind kept slipping between a reality and a dreamlike state. We gasped as soon as we set foot on the wooden floors and took a tour of what can be called a nautical floating house! It wasn’t long before we joined the captain up above and took a seat on the blue leather couches.  Perched on the seats were navy blue and white striped cushions.  Yes I felt I had been suddenly jolted into one of Ralph Lauren’s photo shoots—quite surreal! I couldn’t get enough of the liquid sapphire (blue water) extending and brilliantly undulating into the horizon.  I almost felt undeserving of the situation but then I embraced it. This is exactly where I needed to be—in this moment, with this wonderful group of people in a land far far away. Like an arrow, our yacht pierced through space targeting Rottenest Island. We could see it from afar and when we arrived we shared the bay with others. Almost immediately, the girls made a run for it and splashed into the transparent water. There were turquoise and dark green patches splotched before us—all enhanced by the sunlight. I snorkeled my way to shore and although I didn’t see any colorful fish I did spot a couple jellyfish and lots of seaweed joyfully dancing on the ocean floor.  We ran up the stairs to a lookout and admired the bay– We smiled—thank you Rotary!  After taking a short walk on the beach we made our way back to the boat were we had lunch waiting in a bucket for us. Brent brought out fresh prawns, taught us how to dismember them, dip them in a scrumptious sauce and then savour them.  We headed to another bay on the other side of the island. As I sat on the boat reading ‘In a sunburned country’ I peeked from the top of my book and saw the most magnificent sight–It was Perth from a distance. The lovely city sitting there so comfortable yet so elegant and patiently waiting for us to make our way back.

We soon made our second stop and hopped on to the pier. Our time was running out and so we decided to rent bikes to see as much of this part of the island as we could.  We merrily rode our bikes through the cycling friendly island (which once held prisoners), took pictures with the human loving Quakkas and ate gelato. We didn’t think the day could get any better—but it did! To our surprise as we are minding our own business eating our chocolate chip and berry gelato we get a visit from a peacock…I have never been so close to a peacock before and I was amazed.  Rottenest beaches certainly can be classified in our list as some of the most pristine and stunningly beautiful in the world.  We couldn’t have asked for more today—our last trip on the water was magnificent.  This, however, wasn’t the end of our day.  We came back to land and ate at the Fremantle Prison Café whilst waiting for our torchlight tour.  At 7p.m we joined a group of 25, took our small flashlights and commenced our walk through the old prison grounds.  We learned about the history as our tour guide occasionally slammed doors and scared all the women in the group. It was quite funny. The prisoner cell edifice, which is the largest & tallest in the southern hemisphere, was built by the prisoners themselves. We learned that after closing, the jail was listed as a world heritage site. Meaning it has been restored to its original form.  Everything here is early 1900’s vintage except the rope in the gallows. About an hour and half later after seeing the cells, kitchen, theatre, morgue, prisoner recreational grounds and gallows we walked out through the black iron gates into the free world.  It was a long day but we truly enjoyed it. Australia has stolen our hearts!

Final Day with Mill Point Rotary, Perth April 2

Every chair made for a child is delivered with a handmade blanket and a teddy bear

A somewhat fatigued GSE team gathered up with hosts from Mill Point Rotary on Saturday morning and drove to the site of Wheelchairs for Kids,(www.wheelchairsforkids.org), a project of the Rotary Club of Scarborough and the Christian Brothers which is a teaching order of the Catholic Church.  The project began in 1998 and now produces 2500 wheelchairs per year totally by volunteers operating out of a workshop in Perth.

I cannot begin to do justice to the extraordinary work that is done in this program, so I urge you to visit their website, discover for

Distribution of wheelchairs worldwide

yourself the power and passion of these dedicated Rotarians and other volunteers, and then spread the word plus make a gift to support them.

Model #9 evolved from the first chair made in 1998 by Rotary Club of Scarborough in Perth, Western Australia for children and adults in need

Afternoon tea took place in the home of my hosts Peter and Melva Stevens in North Perth.  From there the GSE team headed for the stadium and our first Australian Football League game where we supported the Freemantle Dockers, but to no avail as they lost to Geelong.  We had a great time amidst the crowd of nearly 40,000 ‘Footie’ fans.  It’s Australian most

Peter and Melva Stevens, my host family this week

popular sport!

Lots of referees are required to cover the large playing field

A tough games and no pads...

From the game we return to the Stevens’ for chicken curry, drink and then hit the hay—a tired bunch of GSE team members.

Rick McKelvey, District 5870 GSE Team Leader

The Environment of Perth

 

Johanna and Susan on Perth DEC Conservation Vocational Day

Today was our fourth vocational day, but today back in Perth.  Myself (Susan) and Johanna had a day lined up with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).  DEC has a number of offices throughout Perth and today we saw three of those offices…one  overlooking beautiful part of the Swan River, one downtown, and one that sits on an approximate 15 acre campus with a new herbarium.

View from Lunch with Rick S.

After lunch, we met with the Department of Water, learning about water ownership and the similarities/differences between Australian water law and Texan water law.  Western Australia has been in a severe drought this year, so water conservation is required.  We also had a meeting about conservation covenants, which are the exact field of practice that both Johanna and I practice in.  It was refreshing to completely understand the discussion and the many intricate!  Conservation covenants have permanently protected over 28,000 acres in Western Australia.

That evening, we had dinner at the Bentley Pines, a restaurant where hospitality students practice waiting on customers.  Though we waited longer than desired for our wine and dinner, it was a good experience.

I am staying with Mark and Amy Horwood in the Applecross suburb of Perth.  Mark and Amy own a 66 acre farm near Manjimup where they are growing truffles, an expensive culinary specialty for which Europeans pay high dollar.  Europeans will pay $1,000 per pound for these specialty mushrooms.  It is a growing industry that Australians only have a 1% share of and which they’d like to grow.  I got a chance to see their farm, as well as the famous Margaret River region which is close-by.  Both are beautiful and were well worth the drive.

Mark and Amy Horwood’s Truffle Farm near Manjimup

Introducing Tex-Mex

Can you guess who this is??????

Did you guess mail person? This is what they have to wear and they drive around on scooters on the sidewalk!  As my host mom explained to me, Australia was deciding between the New Zealand or USA way of handling accident claims and went with the USA style of litigation. So now everyone is afraid of being sued and has very strict safety precautions called OSH.  So, as you can see, the person who drops off the mail must be fully protected from the sun, others, and anything real or imaginary that may come their way!  I can’t believe it took me 4 weeks to see a mail person and when I finally did, I needed confirmation since the vehicle and uniform are so different from Texas.

We started our day with some delicious coffee before heading to WAAPA.  The Academy of Performing Arts.

The OSH for the University

It is 31 years old and was originally started as a music conservatory in response to a fear that WA talent was headed to the eastern states.  Now, they have 1100 students, some who compete for just 18 spots in acting and music theater.  The most famous graduate is Hugh Jackman!

The GSE team got an amazing tour of the facilities and even got to try out some of the equipment (yes, we have discovered our potential in ANY vocation….including contemporay dance 🙂

Here is where the students do smaller performances.  The theater holds about 280 people and has amazing acoustics with the wood floors and panels.  The whole school comes together for their one big performance.  Their students range from actors to set designers and the performances look and sound amazing.  They also sell out very quickly!

After our tour, we proceeded to try to shop and prepare an authentic Tex-Mex meal! It definitely put our teamwork skills to the test as we tried to divide up the tasks of shopping, cooking and cleaning.

We successfully created a great Tex-Mex dinner (fajitas!) and got to share with our new friends our delicious cuisine as well as cure our cravings for Tex-Mex! Who knows, maybe we will move back and open up a restaurant!

The engine that could…

Our team seems to have a track record of getting on boats and overheating engines.  It would’ve been okay in any other situation, but not the day we had a date with Rottenest. The arrangement was to venture out to Rottenest Island but the plan instantly morphed into plan B. Five minutes after leaving the pier I heard “One of the engines has overheated’. It was quite painful to hear these words. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that we were a bit disillusioned. We couldn’t go out to the ocean running solely on one engine because it would have been nearly impossible navigate the choppy waters on our way back. However, because we are Texans and we know how to roll with the punches, we embraced Plan B and enjoyed our day out on the river. We didn’t sweat the small stuff and instead parked the yacht on the river a few meters from the breathtaking beach views of Fremantle.  We spent the rest of the afternoon jumping into the salty water and swimming to shore.  I am happy to say that I overcame my fear of swimming in open waters thanks to Crystal.  She taught me the techniques of floating. Within a few minutes I turned myself into a flotation device and the feeling of achievement washed over me. Wohoo! I did it! On our way back to the pier after a lovely afternoon, some of us decided to soak up the sun on the anterior deck and look up at the flawless blue Oz sky. Another great day in Western Australia…we couldn’t ask for more!

An Entrepreneurial Education

Today brought yet another opportunity for our team to experience a developmental vocational day and my day was nothing short of superb!

Rick, our fearless team leader, and I were privileged to spend the morning with Phil Doyle at the Curtin University Centre for Entrepreneurship facility learning about their phenomenal development program that they offer to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Curtin Growth program offers a 16-module course with two tracks- one for business owners and another for management. The course covers a wide expanse of knowledge such as effective management principles, how to think like an entrepreneur, managing cash flow, effective financial planning, marketing and social networking, and many other valuable “must-have” skills.

Rick & Crystal with Rotarian and Vocational Host Phil Doyle

Rick and I spent the morning learning about the program from Phil and discussed everything from how the program is funded to the various module content within the course. As a capstone, Phil took us on a short car trip to visit one of the Centre’s clients, Tony Ryder, the Managing Director of Resource Equipment LTD (REL) where we were able to hear first-hand about the amazing results that he has been able to attain as a program graduate by applying the lessons learned within the course modules.

Following our onsite visit at the Centre’s client site, we stopped by the Royal Perth Golf Club where Rick was destined to spend the remainder of his “vocational” day improving his golf handicap! (I couldn’t seem to convince anyone that my success as a consultant was HIGHLY dependent upon my personal golf acumen, so alas, no round of golf for me!)

After stopping in a local shop to pick up some sandwiches for lunch, Phil and I returned to Curtin University for a series of appointments that were pre-arranged for me. My first visit was scheduled with a local business coach, Glenn Taylor, who also happens to be a presenter for the Curtin Growth program. It was fascinating to listen to his experiences and methodologies in client care, billing, and project organization and delivery, etc. (so basically I “picked his brain” over the varying similarities and differences between our two company models)!

My next “sit down” was with Pia Turcinov, the Innovative Regions Facilitator for Enterprise Connect, an Australian Government Initiative. As a Commonwealth program under the Department of Innovation & Industry- Science and Research, they cater to the 74% of Aussie businesses that are classified as SMEs. They provide business advice and strategic analysis that facilitate growth within the organization, and offer financial matching programs to encourage improvement steps being taken to secure the financial future of the company and the breadth of innovation within the region. Her work encourages the development of SMEs and their synergistic approach to business development on a global scale to increase the profitability of Australian companies as they compete in a global market.

My final meeting was with Dr. Louis Geneste, a lecturer on Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Small Business at the School of Management within Curtin’s Business School. He, Phil, and I sat to discuss the philosophy behind his courses and the teaching objectives of their Entrepreneurial courses. I found the conversation both highly informative and incredibly interesting. The level to which Dr. Geneste works to educate his students was particularly intriguing- not only because of the content that he delivers but also the way he chooses to impart the knowledge. He discussed some of the challenging business assignments that he gives his students yearly, and the various outcomes he’s witnessed thanks to individual student efforts. I finished that meeting feeling almost short-changed by my college professors who lacked his obvious enthusiasm for encouraging younger people to undertake the challenge of becoming an entrepreneur. I genuinely believe that the young people who get to learn from him are likely more blessed than they can comprehend.

After a long and rewarding vocational day, I met up with my teammates and leader at the Royal Perth Golf Club to deliver our group presentation to the Rotary Club of Millpoint. Since we had delivered our very first presentation at the same location, it almost felt like coming home! Having cleared the hurdle of presenting at the District Conference (a very scary undertaking for most of my teammates who have never had a reason to speak to a large group of people- more or less on a stage with lights and a podium to contend with!), this presentation was definitely back in everyone’s comfort zone. After we completed our individual briefings, we received an overwhelmingly positive response to our line dancing lessons, and finished up the evening with a Q&A session from the club members.

Many of the questions were focused on our perceptions and opinions about the global and U.S. economy, the impacts and advantages of the intermingling of cultures within Texas as a border state next to Mexico, and any preconceived notions we may have had about Australia and her people. Rick and my teammates did an amazing job responding off the cuff and from the heart about the various issues, and I stepped up to respond to a question about what we had learned and would be taking home with us to the U.S. I was happy to convey my favorite realization in Oz- that Aussies do a fantastic job of balancing work and personal/family time and that their communities at large facilitate Moms and Dads spending a significant amount of time with their children in their formative years. Whether through sport and play or fine arts and leisurely walks, you see families gathering everywhere you look.

Our GSE Team with Millpoint Club President, Jim, and Club GSE Coordinator, Joy after the presentation

I have been so moved by the family focus I’ve witnessed that it has absolutely challenged my ideas about what quality time really looks like. I can’t wait to return home and begin making a few changes in our family “rhythm” so that we can have the same focus within our little family unit. Of all of the amazing things I’ve learned on this trip, that was certainly my best answer to the question the club posed.

After the Rotary club meeting, our team met for drinks at the Windsor Hotel, a local pub (which Aussies sometimes refer to as hotels- something that would have been great to know in advance- as I nearly slapped a young man a few days ago who invited me back to the “hotel”!!! Imagine my surprise to learn that he was inviting the team out for a beer and conversation! Oops! I’m hoping he chalked it up to me being a blonde!)

It’s hard to believe that we move to our final club this Sunday, and that our program will be over a week from tomorrow! It’s been a whirlwind adventure in what my teammate, Johanna, refers to as “Endurance Tourism”, but I think I’ve enjoyed nearly every minute. (I’m withholding the few moments in Wagin where I had a live python on me… but that’s only fair when you’re petrified of snakes!) So until next Thursday when I’m back on “blog duty” my teammates will keep you posted on our adventures!

District 5870 GSE Team Member Crystal Dyer

Gardens, Government & Industry — a full day in Perth

For our first full day with the Rotary Club of Mill Point, Rotarians Jenny and Wayne were kind enough to take us on a full-day tour of Perth. We began with a ferry ride across the river to the northern side where we visited the city’s bell tower and Supreme Court Gardens.  We stopped for coffee and pastries at a nice cafe along a pedestrian street downtown, then made our way by bus over to Kings Park.  Within the park, Jenny showed us the memorial to Australian victims of the recent Bali bombings, designed so that the sun will shine upon the names of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic event.  She also told us about a part of the park that was created as a thank you from the US government to the people of Australia for their hospitality and kindness to the American service men stationed in Perth’s harbor during WWII.

Jenny then gave us a wonderfully detailed tour of the park’s native plant gardens.  Because southwestern Australia has a hot, dry climate, many of the native plants have developed xerophytic adaptations to protect them from the harsh sun.  Some had shiny or silvery leaves that reflect much of the sunlight.  Others had spiny leaves to minimize the moisture evaporating from the leaf’s surface, or thin leaves that hang straight down so they don’t get exposed to as much sunlight.  One plant even had a kind of natural sunblock — a white substance covering the stems that helps protect it from the intense sun.  The GSE team was starting to feel the effects of that very same sun, so we took refuge in the shade of a Marri tree, where we saw a very cute Kookaburra, though we didn’t get to hear it laugh.  The Marri tree is a eucalypt, and also happens to be a bloodtree — its sap is a deep red color.  The aboriginals used diluted sap from the Marri tree as a disinfectant for cuts, and to settle upset stomachs.  Jenny then told us about “bush tucker,” or the food that Aboriginals traditionally would eat out in the bush, including many of the native plants on display in the garden.

After a quick lunch at the park’s cafe, our next stop was the Western Australian parliament, where we met the Honorable Kate Doust, a Labour Party member for the South Metropolitan Region in Perth.  We also got a tour of the parliament building, which was very informative, but I have to admit that after spending a few hours walking in the sun, my brain was not able to absorb as much information as I would have liked.  So for now, instead of nice cohesive paragraphs about our visit to parliament, I’m going to give you a bulleted list of interesting things I learned:

— Voting is required by law in Australia, in federal and state level elections.  You are not required to actually vote for a candidate, but you must show up to the polling place and receive voting materials — if you do not, you receive a fine.

— Australia does not have the death penalty.  Their last execution was in the 1960’s.

— Australia’s name comes from the Latin phrase Terra Australis, which means Southern Land.

—  Western Australia was one of the first places in the world to allow women to vote — the first was New Zealand in 1896, followed by the colony of South Australia, and then the colony of Western Australia in 1899.

— Aboriginals were not counted in the Australian census until 1967.

—  The Noongar people of southwestern Australia recognize six seasons, rather than four, which are defined by the nature of the wind.

After our tour of parliament, we were all feeling quite tired, so we lay in the grass outside while Jenny and Wayne went to fetch cars to take us over to our next tour at WesTrac.  This tour was also quite informative and interesting, but I’m afraid due to exhaustion I did not absorb a lot.  What I did learn was that WesTrac sells and repairs Caterpillar machines, which are used in mining, construction, and other industries.  They employ 2,000 people and have two branches in Australia, and quite a few in northwestern China.

After that tour, I was dropped off at my host’s house, who graciously gave me a glass of water with lime juice as I collapsed on the couch.  She then went round the corner to pick up some Thai food for dinner (or “tea” as they say here).  Once I finish this blog post, I’m going to crash and get some sleep because I have a very full vocational day tomorrow!

RI District 9465/9455 Joint Conference Begins

Saturday, March 25, 2011

My hosts District Governor Elect Jody, Partner Rotarian Colin Sparks and I arrived at 7:30 am at the conference site where they demonstrate real Rotary spirit setting up two booths-one for next year’s conference and one for Handicamp where they volunteer to assist young people with disabilities, all before the opening ceremony at 8:30 am.

The conference, located at the Burswood Convention Centre in Perth, began with a triumphant opening flag ceremony conducted by Rotary exchange students, Scouts sponsored by Rotary and other youth numbering in the hundreds.  It was a stirring sight reminding us all of the true global nature of Rotary International.

Anita and host Rotarian Garry get a few words with RI President's Representative Bill Boyd and Verna Boyd

Central Texas and Portugese GSE Teams take the stage for a joint photo

Later in the day Rotarian Mike Berman takes Crystal and me to experience Aussie rules football.  Crystal had already gotten a preview on an earlier vocational day since some of her clients are professional athletes, but it was the first time for me.  It’s a giant field and a tough game!

When evening arrives, we deck out in pirate theme attire for the Governors’ Ball.  the grand ballrooms are festive with shipwrecks, food, and drink.  I sit with Past District Governor Zaki Aoun and his wife Professor Samar Aoun.  Later, the dance floor lights up with the Portugese and Central Texas GSE teams leading the way.  We danced ’til

Portugese District 1960 GSE Team Leader Maria Jose Carvalho Afonso Gil and me-new friends through Rotary

midnight!  Fortunately, I have no pictures of the dance floor…..but here is a dignified photo of Portugese GSE Team Leader Maria and me at the conference which carried on  Sunday morning when both teams made presentations.  You’ll learn about those from Sunday’s blog entry, so read on!

District 5870 GSE Team Leader Rick McKelvey

District 9455 & 9465 Conference Begins!

lining up for the District Governors arrival!

Friday morning we got to relax a bit for our mid-break before rejoining our first host families and grabbing lunch.  It was great to see everyone again and everyone had a great chance to catch up and say what the highlights have been in the two weeks the team had been away.  The team then headed to Freemantle to join the GSE Portugual team and some Rotarians to bike from Freemantle to the South of Perth Yacht Club to start the conference!  It was over 5 miles and a beautiful ride along the river.  We all agreed we would love to see some urban bike routes like that in Austin! 

The conference started off with a casual reception and it was great to see familiar faces from the previous clubs as well as meet more Rotarians!