GSE 9790 to District 1190

Goodbye!

2010-05-04T01:49:00.004+10:00

This morning the team headed to the Oldwaldtwistle Mill for a bit of retail therapy!

We then went to a beautiful BBQ lunch at Alan and Barbara's, and then headed off for a walk to burn off all of the calories and take in the view of Accrington.

Tonight we will be heading into Whalley; meeting at the Dog Inn for tea and then venturing off on a ghost tour! It should be great fun.

This is the final post however from the "best GSE team ever to reach the UK shores" (quote from Rod) as we are now at the end of our trip of a lifetime. After 4 weeks of touring around the beautiful district of 1190, we will board our plane tomorrow and head back home.

Our sincere thank you goes to all of the Rotarian's who were involved in the planning and preparation that went into this program. Thank you to all of the FANTASTIC hosts that we have had - it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know all of you and I am sure that we will keep in contact for a very long time.

Goodbye and kind regards,

GSE Team (April-May 2010)
District 9790, Australia

Final presentation in District 1190

2010-05-02T22:48:00.002+10:00

Saturday night the team presented for the last time in District 1190. We were all thrilled to see many of the lovely hosts that have cared for us over the 4 weeks that we have been in the district.

Team members were presented with a gift each from the DG Eady from the District which was greatly appreciated.

Our sincere thanks go to the Accrington RC for hosting the night and to all of the fantastic people who attended. We had a great time and it was brilliant to see our hosts (now longtime friends) again.

Team is welcomed at Accrington

2010-05-02T21:11:00.004+10:00

Friday morning the team departed Lancaster and headed to Accrington - our final destination on this fantastic adventure!

We went to "The Grand" for lunch were a live jazz band were playing - it was lovely to sit and have a beautiful meal and listen to great music.

Following this we then went to the Castle and then headed home to meet our new host families!

Presentation to the Lancaster and surrounding clubs

2010-05-02T21:05:00.004+10:00

Thursday night we presented to approximately 60 people at the Holiday Inn in Lancaster. The District Governor Mick Eady and Hazel were also in attendance - which was great!

We were also very excited to see all but 1 member of the District 1190 GSE team were in attendance - it was fantastic to see them all again!

Lancashire Constabulary Headquarters

2010-04-30T17:13:00.002+10:00

Wednesday (28th April) the team were able to visit the headquarters of the Lancashire Police. The visit included seeing their air wing services and we were shown the technology and equipment that they have - it was amazing!

Following this, we returned to headquarters for a fantastic lunch and then headed to Blackpool where there were Police officers training for response to riots. We were able to observe with the Senior officers and training officers from the Police, Fire and Ambulance.
They had the dogs and horses there too involved in the drills!

Because of the nature of what we saw, we are unable to post any photos - rest assured it was a fantastic and something we wont forget. It was a very privileged opportunity and we thank Graeme and Sue (and Ian) very much for organising this for us

Lancaster - we have arrived!

2010-04-28T08:42:00.007+10:00

The team was "handed over" to the Lancaster Rotary Club at 5pm on the 26th April. It was again difficult to say goodbye, as we have been well cared for and looked after by the Carlisle Castle RC. After a few photos and hugs we headed off to meet our new families!

On the following day (Tues 27th April) the team went to a number of sight seeing adventures, including the Aston Memorial, Maritime Museum, the Lancaster Priory and the Lancaster Castle / Prision.

ANZAC Day

2010-04-26T07:47:00.005+10:00

Today was ANZAC day and the Carlisle Castle Rotary Club arranged a special ANZAC service for our team to participate in whilst here. The service was very special to us and we sincerely thank them for their consideration, time and effort. The service was also attended by local return servicemen and women and was conducted by a local minister; complete with the bugle playing and poppy's.

We also met up with an Aussie who was a police officer who had been based in Beechworth and Shepparton some 25 years ago (he made Samuel's day as he knew where Nathalia was!).

Rod and Graham (President and Host) were also interviewed that morning on the local radio station about GSE and the ANZAC service

Following the service the team attended the club's meeting and delivered our presentation to approx 45 Rotarian's and families.

We were also able to visit the Carlisle Castle which was fantastic!

Very moving and memorable day.

Hadrians Wall

2010-04-25T02:12:00.004+10:00

Today the team went to the Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum where we were able to witness the excavation of the largest collection of Roman buildings. We were able to see the military buildings, bath houses and replica buildings. The museum held some of the artifacts that the archaeologists have recovered which were truly amazing!

We also went for a walk around parts of the wall which is very impressive - particularly when you think that it has been there for nearly 2000 years!!!

Team has arrived in Carlisle!

2010-04-25T01:51:00.006+10:00

On Friday morning the team (and their Millom hosts) met up with the Carlisle Castle Rotary Club hosts and Albert Johnson DGE (from the Kesick RC) at the Rum Story in Whitehaven. We all went on a tour of the facility together and then enjoyed a relaxing lunch (and rum tasting!) together.

After the swapping of bags and fond farewells, we headed off with the Carlisle team to go to Workington to see the destruction of the floods that occurred in November last year.

Following this we went to Cockermouth and were met with the Mayor and the President of the Rotary Club. Here they told us of the severity of the impact of the floods in their town and the restoration work that they are currently undertaking.

Team relaxation day and presentation to Millom Rotary Club

2010-04-24T07:45:00.005+10:00

After a relaxing morning at Eccelriggs, the team headed to the Furness Abbey and then to the Martitime Museum.

Following this we went onto an afternoon of many activities - Sarah went to the Mountain Rescue facility; Rod went to the Racecourse for a tour; while Leah, Dyani and Samuel spent some time in retail therapy!!

That evening, the team presented to 40 Rotarians from the Millom Club; whereby St George even popped in! Pictured is also the group with our hosts and the Millom Mayor and Club President.

Muncaster Castle

2010-04-24T07:28:00.006+10:00

After a tour of the Millom Network Centre, the team spent the day at the Muncaster Castle. The Owls were fantastic - some even managed to open their eyes to say "G'day"!

Dyani loved the castle - particularly the haunted room - as all could attest to her scream after listening to the story!

After a beautiful lunch, the team headed to the Millom Folk Museum. We are pictured here with Sue Day (Leah's host) and her granddaughter Millie (thank you to Howard for this photo)

Kendal Rotary Club Charter night

2010-04-21T08:05:00.000+10:00

Rod represented District 9790 at the Kendal Rotary Club Charter night with the District Governor, Mick Eady.

Rod also met up with Graham Dowling (GSE 1190 Team Leader) and Richard Bird (GSE coord).

As you can tell by the photos - a great night was had by all!

Team has arrived in Millom!

2010-04-21T07:45:00.005+10:00

On Monday morning the team bid a fond farewell to the Kendall team and met with the Millom team. (team pictured with Kendall host families)

We all headed off with our hosts for the journey, meeting at Ulverston - the birth place of Stan Laurel! We went to the Laurel and Hardy museum and even watched some of their movies! We then went to the beautiful Eccle Riggs for lunch; where the peacocks were only too happy to pose for us!

We then resumed our travels to Millom and a tour of the town was arranged before returning to the host family homes.

Later that night, the team presented to the Rotary Club of Ulverston and the Rotary Club of Millom and their respective partners. 89 people were in attendance. There were lots of fantastic questions and discussions - a great night for all!

Tuesday is the 4th vocation day for the team members.

The team in Edinburgh

2010-04-18T21:26:00.004+10:00

The team arrived in Edinburgh for our chilled out weekend; but we couldn't help ourselves and got out the tourist card!

Pictured is the team at the Castle, and Dyani and Samuel tucking into haggis! yum yum

Other things we have done include checking out the local nightlife on Friday night and then a slower day on Saturday (and really slow for some), when we caught the city sightseeing tour and went to the Royal Yacht Britanni. Sarah was able to catch up with her Great Aunt while here too!

Dyani is still surprised that she has been asked for ID twice.

Team arrives in Kendal!

2010-04-15T04:05:00.010+10:00

The team has arrived in Kendal and on our first night in this beautiful part of the district, we completed our presentation to 100 Rotarians and their partners.

Today we were shown around the sights of Kendal, which included a visit to the "Grow Well Project" which was very inspiring. We were also given a guided tour of the organic farm on the property and were treated to a lovely lunch on site in their restuarant

We were also fortunate to go on a paddlesteamer boat to take in the sights of the area, which was followed by a nature walk.

Vocation day, presentation and farewell to Blackpool

2010-04-15T02:48:00.004+10:00

On the 12th April our team experienced our second vocation day. We all had a fantastic time with lots of information, ideas and knowledge shared. Pictured above is Leah with the HeadStart team.

That evening, our team presented to the Blackpool Palatine Rotary meeting, where there was approximately 60 people in attendance. Glenn & Jim (from the club) had prepared some quizes about Australia and even some pictures of our landscapes and events; which was great fun!

Pictured is the team following the presentation with our host families, President and club members

Off to Blackpool

2010-04-12T07:45:00.004+10:00

The morning after our presentation night in Preston, we headed off to Blackpool for the start of our stay with second hosts. day one was action packed with a climb up the Blackpool Tower, some ball room dancing, some Circus performing, and finally some Cabaret dancing. and one of the best fish and chip dinners we've ever seen at Harry Ramsden's

Liverpool here we come!

2010-04-12T07:16:00.008+10:00

The team headed off to Liverpool for a day of sight seeing. We were extremely fortunate to have 6 tourism students prepare a tour for us.

After a morning of sight seeing on foot and some dinner we climbed aboard the magical mystery tour to take in everything Beatles that Liverpool had on offer, we even went for a drive down Penny Lane and past Strawberry Fields, it was "beatlerific!"

Day 1 & 2

2010-04-09T07:12:00.005+10:00

Day 1

Our first day in Preston commenced with a Welcome and Briefing from DG Mick Eady, Richard Bird GSE Coordinator and Preston Guild President Geoff Oldham and PP John Ward.

(team presented here with DG Eady)

Following this we received a welcome from the Mayor of Preston and a tour of the Council Chambers.

For lunch, we went to Salmesbury Hall which was followed by a tour of Hoghtons Tower. The day was ended by a tour of the Ribble Railway.

Following this, we were all introduced to our host families and departed to spend time and have fun with them!

Our sincere thanks to Geoff and John who spent the day with us - not only coordinating the tours, but taxiing us to each venue and looking after all of our needs.

Day 2 - we each participated in our first vocation day for the GSE program.

Samuel spent the day with the Myerscough Agricultural College; Sarah was with the Preston Planning department in the morning and with Conlon builders in the afternoon; Leah spent the day with the Youth Offenders Team; Dyani met with the Chorley Building Society and the HSBC Bank ; while Rod visited the Barton Grange Garden Centre and also met with Councillor Hudson and his deputy.

Tomorrow (day 3) we are off to Liverpool for the day and then that evening we will complete our first presentation to the Preston Guild club.

GSE team is off!

2010-04-07T01:58:00.012+10:00

The team headed off Easter Monday at 9:30pm from the Tullamarine Airport with a number of GSE dignitaries seeing us off. Our sincere thanks to Mani, Sherwani, Peter, Alan, our clubs and families for giving us such a warm send off.

Our flights over were all good - with the only incident being that Rod "lost" his glasses before we set off from Melbourne!! Alas he did find them in his bag when we arrived at Dubai - not before he wore Leah's pair of glasses so he could read on the plane.. yes, he did look pretty..

After a 14hour flight we arrived at the Dubai airport looking a bit weary... and then lined up again to travel to Manchester (7.5hr flight)

Upon arriving at Manchester, we were warmly greeted by Richard Bird, John Ward and Geoff Oldham who kindly drove us to the Barton Grange Hotel, where we were to stay for the night.

GSE Alumni dinner - 13th March 2010

2010-03-15T20:46:00.004+11:00

On Saturday night our team attended a GSE Alumni dinner in Yarrawonga. At the dinner we were able to meet with past GSE team members, Rotarians, GSE chair and the incoming / outgoing GSE teams (USA and UK).

We all had a great time with lots of laughs and fantastic conversations.

For our team, it was also a great opportunity to meet and get to know the UK team. It was great to be able to discuss their experiences in GSE / Rotary here in Australia (district 9790) and find our more information about the district 1190!

Presentation at Benalla Rotary Club

2010-02-10T20:51:00.005+11:00

Our team was invited by the Benalla Rotary Club to attend their meeting on the 21st January, to share our presentation that we will be using when we visit District 1190 in April.

This was the first run through our presentation to a live audience (not to the computer screen or the blank wall at home!)

We received fantastic feedback and tips on parts that we could add in and advise on areas that we could improve on.

The night was also a great opportunity to wear our new uniforms!