AUSTRALIA and New Zealand are well-known for their Trans-Tasman rivalry.
But, on this occasion, there’s no conflict.
In fact, it’s all quite amicable.
Muswellbrook youngsters Paddy and Fin McTaggart, along with Samantha Bell, all 15, are taking part in the Rotary Australia and New Zealand Student Exchange (RANZSE) program, joining teenagers from the Land of the Long White Cloud, Tristan Cherrill, 14, May Hodgkinson, 15, and Hamish Hawthorne, 15.
The Kiwi contingent arrived in Australia on April 1 and head home on Saturday, while the local trio now ventures across the ditch for a three-month sojourn.
“It was great meeting all new people,” May said.
“Not only did we see a fair bit of the Hunter Valley, we visited Sydney and the Blue Mountains, too.”
On the return leg, Fin is hoping to enjoy mountain-biking and fishing with his host at Rotorua while Paddy’s keen to sample the famous Lewis Road Creamery chocolate milk he’s heard so much about at Paraparaumu.
As for Samantha, she’s eager to meet May’s friends in Wellington.
“I’ll be attending an all-girls school for the first time,” she said.
“That will be different.
“But, we’re all looking forward to the experience – it’s a great opportunity.
“Already, we’ve formed life-long friendships.”
The RANZSE program is run by some Rotary clubs in Australia and all districts in New Zealand.
It is designed for 14-to-16-year-old students to experience a true “exchange” with a family in the other country.
In the past decade, more than 1550 children have participated in this life-changing adventure.
In 2017, New Zealand students arrived in Australia and attended school with their matched pupil during Term 2.
Both teenagers return to New Zealand and attend the New Zealand student’s school during Term 3.
Each year it alternates as which country goes first.
The Rotary Australia and New Zealand Student Exchange offers an opportunity to be away from home and be “independent” in a supervised environment, building confidence and maturity as well as developing friendships between individual students and families.
Do you know of any students who would benefit from this programme – we look forward to hearing from you as you also have many contacts whom you could pass our information and enthusiasm on to.
AG's – it would be great if you could find 2 members for our committee in the Wellington & Hutt
Marion Patchett
021 442278