Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Post GSE Presentation in Brighton, Mich.

Well we've been back from Down Under now for almost two months and it's so hard to believe how much has happened over the last three months. The Inbound Team from District 9630 has two team members still in the U.S. and the other three are back in Oz where I'm sure their families and friends are so happy to see them!

Now that we've returned to 6380 we are beginning to give presentations at local clubs. I presented to Ann Arbor Sunrise on May 15 and Kristi and I presented at the Brighton Rotary Club today. Kristi will also be presenting on Thursday at the Sterling Heights Rotary Club as well as Troy Rotary Club next week.

Here is a picture of club president Mitch Zoldowski presenting us with speaker thank-you gifts after our presentation.


Thank you Brighton Rotary for your warm welcome. We enjoyed meeting you and sharing our GSE experience with you.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Rotary District 9980 - New Zealand


Susanna, Mary McIntyre and Kristi

Susanna, Kristi and sisters had a great visit with Mary McIntyre, wife of Lindsay McIntyre, 9980 District Governor. It was so spectacular to be able to continue the GSE opportunity by connecting with another Rotary family while on our holiday. By experiencing Mary's generosity and warmth we continue to enjoy the benefit of Rotary International. Thanks heaps Mary for your delicious meal, sweets and coffee!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Farewell Australia - Thank You Rotary From the Bottom of our Hearts


We Couldn't Be Happier and Sadder

RAAF Base Amberley

Goodna Presentation

Words Can't Describe...

Monday, March 23, 2009

Saturday, March 21, 2009

We Heart Chinchilla

We arrived in Chinchilla on Thursday, March 19. We were greeted by the Chinchilla Rotary Club at the Weir for a fantastic evening. We started out by seeing the Weir and its beautiful surroundings on a sunset boat ride (thanks so much Chris!). Then we had a barbi with so many delicious salads and grilled meats. We had a first-ever outdoor presentation by the gum trees-what a fantastic evening! We weren't done yet. We then learned how to crack some whips, yes actual whips. Thank you Matty for the performance!


Friday we toured the Korgan Creek Power Station. We had hard hats, visibility vests, safety glasses and earplugs. What a tour! We saw so much and learned that the station provides 30% of Queensland's power.

Saturday we got to experience the QGC's Drama at the Gasfields. Rotary was cooking and selling burgers and sausages. There were as many as 2,500 people at the event. We watched several performances including the World Premiere of 'Opportunity,' the story of Pete Murray's life and music career. Pete was in attendance and took time to meet us and even take a photo with us.


Thank you Ed, hosts and everyone in Chinchilla for a wonderful time!

Friday, March 20, 2009

The Toowoomba Chronicle 21/3/09


Click on pic to enlarge:

Here is a copy of the newspaper article covering GSE team visit to Toowoomba. Many items were covered in the interview with Barry and not all are covered in the article. However it was good to get a nice pic of the team at Rotary Club of Toowoomba East meeting 12th March. Hope that this scan transmits OK to Blogger.
Full size scans available by email from grahamp@bigpond.net.au
Best wishes: Graham on behalf of Barry.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

International Women's Day in St. George - March 18th

I don't think the town of St. George could have planned it any better!
We spent the morning on vocational visits...Susanna and Cheryl at school visits, Kristi at the Balonne Shire Council, Katy at RFM Radio and Barry...well, we still haven't seen him. He's out learning the lay of the land.
The four women of the GSE Team experienced a day of celebrating women and their careers, family and community accomplishments. Four dynamic speakers, a delicious lunch and an afternoon of serious FEMALE bonding!
Special thanks to Win Salmon (Rotary Club of St. George President) for inviting us to take part in such a special day.

Kristi and Katy

Monday, March 16, 2009

Toast to St. Patrick's Day! - March 17th

Hello again! This morning we went out to the Rosehill Aviaries and saw some awesome birds.

It is truly amazing the colours out in nature, isn't it?! I think the team favourite was the talking Cockatoos - we looked pretty funny at times trying to get them to talk to us! There were also a couple of emus, and our personal fave, Lulu the kangaroo. She was old and very sweet looking (the only one of the three that came over to greet us!).


We had lunch at Riversands Vineyard with St. George RC club president Win. We all tasted some great wines before our cheese plates and scones/muffins/chocolate cakes came out. So delicious!! Thanks to Joy for giving us a great time there!


Next, we met up with Garth Shaw and Robert Buchan to go see the cotton crop being harvested at one of the local farms. We couldn't believe it! The cotton was harvested four rows at a time by a big machine, then poured into a container and compressed into huge blocks (the size of a transport truck trailer container). What a beautiful plant, with all the cotton "balls" all over it!


We now have time to relax and prepare for the club meeting tonight.
Big thanks to Susanna who keeps adding the appropriate photos to my posts!!

Until next time, Cheryl

Where to start....

...sorry, everyone, for not posting in a while! We have been so busy! Here are some of the highlights in the last half a week or so: Wednesday we met a few members of the Toowoomba North club (Elton and president Christo) and went out to Elton's house. We had a most excellent morning tea, and then the four of us team members played tennis (Canada vs. USA...but, we didn't keep score) and then went for a quick dip in Elton and Shirley's in-ground, covered, heated pool. Then we were off to Elton's paddock (farm way out in the back country!) and we split up into two vehicles and went "off-roading" in the 4x4's...it was so much fun (in our car, the screams could probably be heard back in Toowoomba!). We had a great barbi lunch (thanks to chef Christo!), and then visited another farm. The Tmba-North club meeting was that night.


Thursday last week we had the morning off (my host "mom" Jan took me shopping), and then presented at the Toowoomba East club meeting over lunch...a few words in memory: top shelf and dancing queen. :-)













Friday we packed up and headed out to the conference...I travelled with president of Tmba-East, Geoff (and his lovely wife Chrissy - sorry if I mispelled that!). We met their daughter Lucy for lunch in Brisbane and got to the resort where the conference was held that afternoon. What a beautiful place! Due to the cyclone's presence, we had clouds and a few scattered showers for Friday and Saturday. The team was up VERY early Saturday morning to attend breakfast (6:30 am), attending the welcome and morning sessions (heard an awesome didgeridoo performance!), and then working on the presentation. We met up with the out-bound team for social drinks that afternoon and then went to the District Governor's dinner together. What a great time - our two teams get along very well...lots of fun and laughter!!















Sunday morning we made our presentation to the conference attendees - word on the street is that we did well, and we were happy with it.

We had lunch with the guys and Alison, as well as Peter (GSE chair out here) and his wife Debbie, and then packed up to head to St. George. It took my car 8.5 hours to get there (including stopping for a meal and coffee)...I think we travelled about 750 km.

Today (Monday) we got up and went for a tour of Roo Works, a roo meat processing plant. No exaggeration, the worst smell we have ever encountered! It was interesting, though, and Terry provided us with a lot of great info: they process about 1000 kangaroos a day; it is all controlled very well, so that Australia maintains a roo population of at least 50 million; it takes 4.5 minutes for a roo to make it through the skinning and de-boning rooms; the roo meat is used either for general human consumption (we have a couple of recipes...), or pet food, depending on the quality of the meat and the way it was handles once it was shot. Needless to say, it was interesting (no pictures of the inside, for obvious reasons)!

We then paid a visit to the Unique Egg, a place where Stavros carves designs into Emu eggs - so neat! We also visited the Visitor Information Center and then the Beardmore Dam, where Robert (my host) made true Billy tea in a pot over the fire. This is where we saw our first kangaroos (live!)!

Sorry this post is so long, we'll be more faithful in coming days, I promise!

Until later, Cheryl

Thursday, March 12, 2009

RIVER SYSTEMS of South Eastern Australia

from Graham on behalf of Barry:

Barry,

we prepared this information but forgot to post it. It may be of interest to the agriculturalists back home.

Last Saturday 7/3 we visited Spring Creek Mountain Cafe and Queen Mary Falls. This region is regarded as 'The Head' meaning the head of the Condamine River that starts at the point where the rivers of the Great Dividing Range either flow East to the coast, (100 km or so), OR start to travel WEST and/or North from the Ranges to create and contribute to the longest river system in Australia. Technically the head of the Condamine River starts at Mt Superbus - the mountain seen as we were having lunch at the cafe. Refer earlier Blog posted Sunday 8/3.


The images below show the basic main rivers such as Condamine (Killarney, Warwick, West of Toowoomba, then into the Balonne River, and the Darling River, eventually the Murray/Darling becomes the Murray River and having crossed Queensland, New South Wales , into Victoria and South Australia, reaches the sea at the Southern coast of Australia in South Australia.
The Darling River is said to be 1,472 km long, and 2844 km including 'contigouos tributaries'. Then there is the distance to the coast after it meets with the Murray River.
When the Condamine floods it spreads out over a wide area depositing furtile soils that have created the rich farming area of The Darling Downs. You will see the Balonne River when you visit St George next week and the Condamine passes just South of Chinchilla.
Note the rivers and obviously the many smaller tributaries all flowing WEST from the ranges of Eastern Australia.
The following map shows the land mass drained by the Murray/Darling rivers system.

EMPIRE THEATRE.. Toowoomba

[finalised by gc for Barry : details on Theatre supplied for Chatham folks info.]
NOTE for Barry and team: This is my second last blog on behalf of Barry - still finalising the University visit details.
Thanks for all the friendship and the great learning experience during your GSE visit.
gc


Police stop traffic for Barry at Toowoomba's Empire Theatre.


Built in 1911 and twice burnt out but fully refurbished and modernised within original 'art deco' style about 12 years ago (cost then est at $10/12 million) . On the day Barry visited, about 1500 senior citizens were rolling up for the regular 'Morning Melodies' a regular subsidised concert that also features free morning tea supplied by "Friends of the Empire" - community volunteer helpers at the theatre.


Empire Theatre 'precint' includes the 1500 seat theatre (with new flytower), a modern high class restaurant at the side and a refurbished church (now a function venue) and small park. The Empire is affectionately regarded as one of the city's great assets. The largest regional theatre in Australia


Inside view of The Empire Theatre

Toowoomba Visit 5 -12 March 09



The CBD of Toowoomba. City population about 100,000, greater area population approx 130,000.


Toowoomba is located atop the Great Dividing Range of Australia and extends back Westward from the escarpment., just 150 Klm West of State Capital Brisbane. This is the view from 2000 ft Picnic Point looking towards Brisbane across the Lockyer Valley.
gc


Rotary in Toowoomba

Submitted by Graham on behalf of Barry:


There are seven Rotary clubs in Toowoomba plus several clubs nearby at Gatton, Dalby, Warwick, Pittsworth.
Six of the Toowoomba clubs own a function centre (via a unit trust) in the East side of the city - it can hold up to 120 diners seated. The club members have donated personal funds over about 28 years to create the facility which is leased out to a commercial caterer and is known locally as 'Regents on the Lake' or simply 'Rotary House' by the Rotarians. The six clubs plus Probus clubs and several other service clubs meet there with various meetings Monday to Friday.







Caterer/chef Colin carves up the roasts at the buffet lunch for Rotary Club of Toowoomba East President Geoff and GSE team leader Barry during the meeting 12th. [hey, note size of pile on the plate - before roast was added !!!]




The happy GSE team of Cheryl, Kristi, Barry, Katy and Susanna at the Toowoomba East meeting 12/3


Colin carves the roast for Christo - President of Rotary Club of Toowoomba North at the meeting with GSE team 11 March .

Church and School



On Sunday last, Barry attended the church service in the quaint little chapel at The Glennie School with Hosts Graham and Margaret. Two host families (of Barry and Kristi) have teaching/admin connections at this Anglican school. The school was established over 100 years ago and is one of the premier day and boarding schools/colleges in Toowoomba. 'Glennie' has over 700 students from Kindy, Junior to Senior..





Agricultural Research: Toowoomba and Warwick

Vocational GSE team visits continue as a priority of the Canada/USA/Australia visit.
Earlier this week I visited the Leslie Research Centre here in Toowoomba. The centre is part of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI &F) – it seeks to maximise the economic potential of Qld agriculture on a sustainable basis much the same as the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).






The Internationally recognised Centre was initially opened in 1962 as the premiere Wheat Research Institute with growers financing the land, buildings and capital equipment. It continues to develop new varieties of wheat, oats, and barley and, as well, develops resistance to disease. Use of biotechnology to enhance capability in molecular marker development is a priority. Soil and plant nutrition in developing safe and effective weed management strategies for grains and cotton cropping systems also figure prominently.








Their research focuses on barley, sorghum, corn, soybeans, chick peas, and a wide range of specialised pulse beans for the human consumption market. About 80% of the soybean varieties currently grown in Qld and more than 60% of the navy beans grown in Qld, NSW and Victoria were bred at this station. Over 80% of the barley varieties grown in Qld were released form here.






And then at the weekend there was a little time for a bit of practical research into an olive and wine grape property North of Toowoomba. GSE hosts Margaret (right rear), Sue (left rear) and Henry (right front), accompanied me, along with host Graham (driver/photographer) for a pleasant afternoon in the country.




Of particular great help to my agricultural vocational activities with a full day conducted tour of the district crops was David, General Manager, Plant Science with DPI in Toowoomba. On learning that he was a Rotarian I was able to visit his club, Rotary Club of Toowoomba [there are seven clubs in Toowoomba], and here we are chatting with his president Stephen after the meeting.

Agricultural research opportunity via GSE team visit and vocational days:

I visited the Hermitage Research Station of DPI some 15 km East of Warwick which in turn is approx 80 km South of Toowoomba. As one of the first research stations in Australia – opened in the 1890’s, it is definitely a major centre for plant breeding, agronomy and physiology related to grain cropping in North Eastern Australia.


Nice name for local tourist route "Sunflower Route" part way between Toowoomba and Warwick.



Inspecting very strong and healthy crops of sunflower and maize (corn) between Toowoomba and Warwick on way to Hermitage Research Station.

OUT and ABOUT in Toowoomba - not too far from home eh Barry ! just like about 15406 klms


Barry visits Toowoomba's new flag at Picnic Point commemorating 150 years since Queensland became a separate state. Despite Barry's help, the flag is still flying at 150 ft high.



Or is he thinking of coming home via London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, New York...
[Some of the comments in recents blogs contributed by Graham.]


Barry's Birthday 10th March


Kristi and Cheryl could't resist the opportunity to try out Barry's new Akubra (genuine Aussie) hat.


Barry's birthday was a major social event in Toowoomba and caused disruption at The Toowoomba Golf Club where the girls and all the host families gathered for a small birthday 'function'....





GSE team welcomed to Toowoomba by Mayor and Councillors



The city of Toowoomba is Australia’s largest non capital inland city and is located in the State of Queensland (Qld). It has a population of close to 100,000. On March 15 2008 the city amalgamated with the seven Shire Councils to form a new Regional Council for 200,000 people. This is the largest amalgamation in Queensland. The GSE team met with the new Mayor, three of his councillors and the CEO.

Sunday, March 8, 2009


Whilst passing through Warwick Barry found some potential long lost relatives running one of the largest livestock trucking business in Eastern Australia.


Host 'dad' and GSE Toowoomba East coordinator Ross shows the girls the Scented Gardens for visually impaired - the Gardens were constructed by Toowoomba East club back in 1980/81.

Team visit to Cobb and Co museum in Toowoomba 6th March


Barry beside mural of a Cobb and Co coach - used in Australia mid 1800's to mid 1900's.
The museum houses many coaches, mostly refurbished and some older buggies and wagons as well as local history and aboriginal traditional items.


The team looks like they are deciding who is to ride in the coach or who will be on the roof.