tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51698254687016038612024-03-13T14:05:43.570+10:00Rotary District 9600 GSE Team 2009 - New ZealandThis blog site is for the lucky group study team members chosen to represent Rotary District 9600 in New Zealand in April/May 2009.
The Group Study Exchange program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business and professional men and women in the initial years of their careers. The program is designed to develop professional and leadership skills among young people to better prepare them to address the needs of their communities and an increasingly global workplace.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-18170521085484858012009-05-13T08:51:00.002+10:002009-05-13T09:07:17.526+10:00Well it had to happen......the final day of our whirlwind trip to New Zealand has arrived and it is with deep regret that we leave this wonderful country and return to our countries of origin. We have all been enriched by the experience and are astounded by the friendliness and generosity of our hosts. We have seen places that locals have never been to and we have covered a lot of area and a multitude of vocational visits. <br />Our District hosts and organisers have been superb and there is much for us to learn in terms of organizational GSE hosting arrangements in our area. I hope to recreate some of the structure here as a template for future GSE visits.<br />Its was a subdued team that drove to the Auckland International and presented our bags for acceptance on flight NZ 739 back to Brisbane. A final farewell to GSE Chair Bob Lang and we headed off to board the plane but before one minor hiccup when Rogen was extracted from the queue to have his hand luggage weighed. The scales responded with a 12.2kg reading so the offical reached for the phone for assistance. Fortunately we were able to convince her that Rogen had an extra bag because of Tania's early departure and in any case Kelly only had a handbag as carry on baggage so we transferred 4 kgs to Kelly and all was fine.<br />The flight to Brisbane was over within the space of one and half movies and we our goodbyes to Kelly who was met by her Mum.<br />Today we say goodbye to Rogen and on Friday Jennifer will be the last to head home.<br />We shall all have very fond memories of this trip and are most grateful to everyone within Rotary who have made this such a successful experience.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-58013154047374231112009-05-12T10:21:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:23:36.607+10:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgjBUROeIcI/AAAAAAAAAPI/T0cIPwofWok/s1600-h/Sun+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334726312585994690" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgjBUROeIcI/AAAAAAAAAPI/T0cIPwofWok/s320/Sun+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-64606132736036244052009-05-12T10:20:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:21:53.905+10:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgjBBEp01kI/AAAAAAAAAPA/oOMS6OQ5ihg/s1600-h/Sun+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334725982793553474" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgjBBEp01kI/AAAAAAAAAPA/oOMS6OQ5ihg/s320/Sun+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-76731119372592463132009-05-12T10:19:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:20:38.934+10:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgjAwTFOlSI/AAAAAAAAAO4/gdl8Q6iqHIk/s1600-h/Sun+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334725694608807202" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgjAwTFOlSI/AAAAAAAAAO4/gdl8Q6iqHIk/s320/Sun+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-44218624485307195572009-05-12T10:15:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:19:24.957+10:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgjAa7nm07I/AAAAAAAAAOw/VvafAQ1pdO8/s1600-h/Sun+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334725327533298610" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgjAa7nm07I/AAAAAAAAAOw/VvafAQ1pdO8/s320/Sun+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-84967612938460238372009-05-12T10:09:00.002+10:002009-05-12T10:15:26.018+10:00Monday and its our last full day in New Zealand. So off we go to Snow Planet and view this great indoors ski venue. We play a game of 10 pin bowls on the way back....no need to ask who won.<br />Then off around to Northcote to see a complete asian shopping centre. After lunch we relax and prepare ourselves for the final presentation at the Northcote Rotary Club.<br />Kelly has agreed to do Tania's presentation so in front on the District Govenor Neil and his wife Trish and about 40 guests we give our last presentation the works.<br />Again the team acquitted themselves admirably and we leave pleased with our efforts and happy with having been received so well by a very friendly Club.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-51054354395699809982009-05-12T10:07:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:09:09.852+10:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi9_hv2QGI/AAAAAAAAAOo/SYdXtGAMXtc/s1600-h/Sat+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334722657708818530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi9_hv2QGI/AAAAAAAAAOo/SYdXtGAMXtc/s320/Sat+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-81916027510538338462009-05-12T10:05:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:07:33.956+10:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi9hlVugcI/AAAAAAAAAOg/lIy7FWf0C_0/s1600-h/Sat+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334722143276925378" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi9hlVugcI/AAAAAAAAAOg/lIy7FWf0C_0/s320/Sat+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-12784464504245830302009-05-12T10:04:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:05:41.979+10:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi9Nvi9OyI/AAAAAAAAAOY/qT2uJg5Xiwo/s1600-h/Sat+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334721802419387170" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi9Nvi9OyI/AAAAAAAAAOY/qT2uJg5Xiwo/s320/Sat+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-14865544706565456472009-05-12T10:02:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:04:20.493+10:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi82B70RJI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/v6V_F-grr1Y/s1600-h/Sat+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334721395038635154" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi82B70RJI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/v6V_F-grr1Y/s320/Sat+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-56094148424356436362009-05-12T10:01:00.000+10:002009-05-12T10:02:47.979+10:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi8f5q7xaI/AAAAAAAAAOI/rQRoGNauCdA/s1600-h/Sat+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334721014863218082" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/Sgi8f5q7xaI/AAAAAAAAAOI/rQRoGNauCdA/s320/Sat+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-60770951467020835302009-05-12T09:49:00.002+10:002009-05-12T09:58:48.259+10:00Sunday the 3rd of May and the phone rings early in the morning with the news that Tania's son Jack who is just 10 months old has been rushed to hospital in Port Moresby with malaria. So its early morning phone calls and after some quick work by Tania's superb hosts Terry and Merle we have arranged for the flight home tickets to be exchanged and Tania is heading for the airport at 5.00am for a flight to Brisbane. We have since heard that she has arrived back in Port Moresby and the early indications are that Jack is responding well. Lets all pray that this is correct and the little fellow pulls through with flying colours.<br />Rogen went off to a Railway and Bus museum (Motat) and enjoyed the experience, I went for a 90 minute walk and had a look at the local cemetry whilst Jennifer enjoyed some well deserved rest and Kelly was entertained by Deborah and Bob.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-81146534734129807592009-05-09T15:12:00.001+10:002009-05-09T15:14:30.071+10:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUQ29jDNvI/AAAAAAAAAOA/JzJIhQkyEB0/s1600-h/Saturday+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333687870110775026" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUQ29jDNvI/AAAAAAAAAOA/JzJIhQkyEB0/s320/Saturday+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-87320912242335664402009-05-09T15:10:00.001+10:002009-05-09T15:12:07.336+10:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUQZ2zpIlI/AAAAAAAAAN4/F746bAw2Vuw/s1600-h/Saturday+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333687370085114450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUQZ2zpIlI/AAAAAAAAAN4/F746bAw2Vuw/s320/Saturday+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-87112530260066932042009-05-09T15:08:00.000+10:002009-05-09T15:10:07.682+10:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUP-gt1NoI/AAAAAAAAANw/lO69weWZY2I/s1600-h/Saturday+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333686900298692226" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUP-gt1NoI/AAAAAAAAANw/lO69weWZY2I/s320/Saturday+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-27844236797210429662009-05-09T15:04:00.001+10:002009-05-09T15:08:19.579+10:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUPMDRsvfI/AAAAAAAAANo/spNJwuLssno/s1600-h/Saturday+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333686033402609138" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUPMDRsvfI/AAAAAAAAANo/spNJwuLssno/s320/Saturday+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-32199562101754785542009-05-09T15:00:00.000+10:002009-05-09T15:04:49.833+10:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUOt1QFu6I/AAAAAAAAANg/HFUrwmQSg2w/s1600-h/Saturday+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333685514241686434" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgUOt1QFu6I/AAAAAAAAANg/HFUrwmQSg2w/s320/Saturday+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-44798956854105814652009-05-09T14:34:00.002+10:002009-05-09T14:54:07.083+10:00Today is Saturday and again no rest for the wicked.<br />We left the Northcote area at 8.00am for the Otara flea market on the south side of Auckland. This is a long established and well known flea market run in the main by Pacific Islanders. We managed to snare some bargains and be entertained by the buskers so it was something different for the team to experience.<br />Next stop was the Auckland museum where we had a good look at the history of New Zealand. We also went to the cultural show which was entertaining. And finally we experienced a simulated production of what it would be like inside an Auckland house if one of the many potential volcanoes in the area were to erupt.<br />Time had marched on so time for lunch and for this we travelled down past Mission Bay and lunch at the Karvah Cafe overlooking the harbour.<br />Then it was off to Kelly Tarltons for an Antartic encounter. This is the home to New Zealands only colony of sub Antartic penquins. So we boarded our snow cat and headed below the waterline to watch penquins frollicking below the surface. As our snow cat headed upwards we were treated to close up views of a penquin colony including young penquins being nursed by their parents.<br />Further on we watched large manta type rays being fed in a tank with many large fish swimming around. Next was the worlds first underwater transparent tunnel where sharks etc swim quitely within inches of your head.<br />Kelly Tarltons is a must see on any visit to Auckland and a great experience for our team members from Papua New Guinea and the Solomons.<br />Our camera's have all run out of battery life today as we have taken so many photos in the past few days.<br />Hopefully tomorrow will be a quieter day for the team as another busy day awaits us on Monday.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-58516883289247619542009-05-09T14:13:00.002+10:002009-05-09T14:30:50.506+10:00Yesterday was a vocational day so it was up early for the team as the first port of call was to meet New Zealands Minister for Immigration Dr Jonathon Coleman. Dr Coleman is also the Minister of Broadcasting,Associate Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Health.<br />Jonathon as he likes to be called turned out to be a young Minister with an outstanding reputation. He is a hard working pollie and if the rest of the Government are as diligent, articulate and devoted to his constituency as Jonathon is then New Zealand's future is in good hands. <br />We then headed off to our different vocations for the day. Kelly headed off to Northcote Primary with Deborah, Jennifer went off to the Human Resources area of North Shore Hospital to talk with Carol Frankston, Rogen went to the offices of Simpson & Grierson (one of New Zealands largest law firms) and then had a 3pm appointment with commercial lawyer Gerald Sharrock, Tania was taken by Terry to meet George Villars from Handley Industries who are flooring specialists, whilst I had the pleasure of talking real estate with Bill Hayward from Link Business Brokers.<br />At 5.30 we met at the Northcote Hotel to have a glass of orange juice before heading off to Bob Langs place to watch the Reds get trounced by the Crusaders. Thankfully the next game up was the Anzac league match with Australia v New Zealand and of course the good guys prevailed.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-74108713887118224792009-05-07T15:45:00.000+10:002009-05-07T15:47:55.377+10:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgJ17cFcF4I/AAAAAAAAANY/THO6xeemjUQ/s1600-h/thursday+005.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgJ17cFcF4I/AAAAAAAAANY/THO6xeemjUQ/s320/thursday+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332954572771825538" border="0" /></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-9879156997579906302009-05-07T15:42:00.000+10:002009-05-07T15:44:13.780+10:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgJ04YR-vPI/AAAAAAAAANQ/hWTaUYVuW78/s1600-h/thursday+004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgJ04YR-vPI/AAAAAAAAANQ/hWTaUYVuW78/s320/thursday+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332953420699450610" border="0" /></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-75457413023517437562009-05-07T15:35:00.000+10:002009-05-07T15:38:46.312+10:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgJzwNsQIzI/AAAAAAAAANI/45mRACcE9u0/s1600-h/thursday+002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgJzwNsQIzI/AAAAAAAAANI/45mRACcE9u0/s320/thursday+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332952180906271538" border="0" /></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-32228710902498055882009-05-07T15:32:00.000+10:002009-05-07T15:35:22.907+10:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgJy76bnYTI/AAAAAAAAANA/Wt4kgd-SPKw/s1600-h/thursday+001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgJy76bnYTI/AAAAAAAAANA/Wt4kgd-SPKw/s320/thursday+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332951282383020338" border="0" /></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-24841149026851087302009-05-07T15:22:00.002+10:002009-05-07T15:28:37.550+10:00Well today we said goodbye to our wonderful hosts and headed for the homes of our new hosts from the Rotary Club of Northcote.<br />After a settling in period we braved the rain outside and headed to Mt Smart rugby league stadium, home of the New Zealand Warriors.<br />We were taken on a tour of the Centre, including operational rooms, film theaters, gymnasium,<br />and of course the stadium itself.<br />After a few photos we headed off to the Cheshire sugar factory for a quick look around and then headed back to Northcote through the evening traffic for dinner with our hosts.<br />Tomorrow is a very busy day so it will be an early night then up and at em.Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169825468701603861.post-23541909280185177702009-05-06T13:02:00.001+10:002009-05-06T13:07:08.961+10:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgD-f9Csj6I/AAAAAAAAAM4/LUYu31XUY8Q/s1600-h/wednesday+008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CqHpTgVMkQg/SgD-f9Csj6I/AAAAAAAAAM4/LUYu31XUY8Q/s320/wednesday+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332541783721938850" border="0" /></a>Brianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12124931758500787132noreply@blogger.com0