Kaleidoscope

The Intrepid group continues on their adventures. Most families went away for the school holidays with their students visiting many parts of Australia. Next weekend they are looking forward to visiting Mowbray Park with Craig and Janine Pinn. We look forward to seeing some of the photos. In the next couple of months the students will travel to Uluru and Alice Springs and finally to Cairns before heading off home to Colorado in July.

S The trip to Uluru this year is a safari style activity. Students will be travelling on a private tour of the outback and sleeping under the stars at night in a swag. Their tour will have them experiencing some of the native foods such as wiggety grubs, native fruits and berries. They will also visit an inland fossil field as well as a visit to Kings Canyon, Kati juta as well as Uluru.

Our Camping weekend was held at Bendalong Tourist Park from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th of February. The weather was a lot better at Bendalong than experienced in Sydney. Students and their families enjoyed exploring rock platforms and finding crabs and other sea life. In the afternoon a game of beach cricket was organised and a pod of dolphins came by to entertain us. Will and Sean swam out to get a closer look but they just weren't fast enough. A few reluctant swimmers were assisted into the water by students. The local birds were handfed by students and a number of kangaroos came by to graze. On Saturday evening we enjoyed a wonderful BBQ dinner and later we were entertained by Greg with a little guitar playing.

The Nelson Bay Weekend for US Students and their Liaison families was held from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th March. We stayed at The Retreat again and enjoyed two communal dinners including a campfire. The weather was great and everyone enjoyed surfing the sand dunes located behind the Caravan Park and the beach. As usual we went on a dolphin watch cruise and many dolphins turned up on cue for our enjoyment.

Mowbray Park was great weekend.Our hosts Blair and Jacki looked after us well and Paul made sure that all students stayed on their horses for the ride. At the farm Sean was bitten by the pig and Will by a rabbit, and since they were the only casualties we thought we had done well. The weather was perfect and the students kept busy with tennis, horse riding, archery and volleyball. The afternoon was topped with Billy tea and some damper making. In the evening the students cavorted about at the bush dance. Someone who shall remain unnamed ran amuck with a water pistol. Sunday was spent whip cracking and boomerang throwing.
Thank you to Ryans Uncle who transported us to and from Mowbray Park. We would also like to thank Leanne Roberts and Craig Pinn who were great chaparones and last but not least the students, who made the weekend enjoyable for all with their great behaviour and company

The Mayoral Ball is being held on Saturday the 13th of June. Megan Ribelin is the debutante that has been selected and she will be partnered by Will Thompson of Kirrawee High. Ball rehearsals will begin on Sunday 29th March. If there are any other student who wish to participate in the Ball they should contact Jayne Billet from the Council's Communications Unit

The Intrepid students have returned from their trip to Central Australia. We look forward to hearing all about their outback adventure and seeing some photos.

US Students arrived in Sydney on Thursday January 15th. Whilst in Australia they will visit Uluru and Cairns. They will also have many adventures with their host families visiting the beach and other places of interest. We look forward to hearing their thoughts on Australia

The 30th Anniversary Dinner was a lovely night which was enjoyed by all. It was a great night to catch up with old friends and to find out what students have been up to since they went on exchange. It was also great to share the evening with Mayor Redmond and his wife as well as our other special guests from Council. As always the band got all our toes tapping and it was the perfect night to farewell our Intrepid Students on their journey to Colorado.

                          

In September 2009 we are proposing a trip to Colorado to all interested residents of the Sutherland Shire.In 2007 a group of 11 people enjoyed the sights and hospitality of Lakewood Colorado. Residents of the Sutherland Shire have been invited to travel to our Sister City of Lakewood Colorado in September 2009. An information night is being held on the 22nd of April commencing at 6.30pm in the Council Chambers Eton Street Sutherland. The Adult Visitation occurs every two years with each city taking a turn to visit the other. If anyone is interested in participating please contact Elaine Clisby at ecliz@hotmail.com. We cant let the kids have all the fun.