Archive for June, 2009

Published by Pete Bennetts on 26 Jun 2009

Memento from Rotary

 

 At the recent Rotary Club of Bellingen ‘Changeover Meeting’ Thai exchange student, Poi Punyawan Chuchuai, was presented with a very beautiful souvenir of her time in Australia. A quilted wall hanging depicting an Australian map and highlights of Poi’s visit, created by Wendy Bennetts, was given to Poi as a memento of her stay in Bellingen. Poi is due to return home next month.
 Poi has recently returned from her ‘Safari’, a trip to explore our diverse country. She travelled from Cairns to Victoria and out as far as Uluru. Poi found climbing Uluru to be very challenging, particular since there are no safety rails and she enjoyed the warm weather in Cairns. But the highlight of the trip was the shopping in Melbourne. Her only problem now will be fitting all her new purchases into her bag for the trip home.
 Poi does not like the recent cold weather in Bellingen but she is reluctant to return home as she has made many good friends in Bellingen and among the other exchange students in Rotary District 9650. The Rotary Club of Bellingen wish Poi all the best for the future and all its members have really enjoyed hosting Poi’s exchange.

 

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Published by Pete Bennetts on 12 Jun 2009

Rotary Youth Programs

 

Over the past year the Rotary Club of Bellingen has sponsored and supported a large number of young Bellingen citizens allowing them to engage in pursuits, both educational and of a personal nature, which would enhance their future development.

Through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program (YEP) the Rotary Club of Bellingen welcomed Poi Punyawan Chuchuai from Thailand and sponsored her stay. At the same time Clare Jenkins, a former Bellingen High student, spent a year on exchange to Russia; and in January 2009 Reyna Sommerville left for a year in France. Poi is headed home in July at which time the Rotary Club of Bellingen will welcome Vigga Laurson from Denmark.

Also during 2008, three young Bellingen High students, Maddie Tarrant, Billy Mills and Tess Marshall were sponsored for a short-term matched exchange to New Zealand. All of these young people were given the great opportunity of experiencing a different culture and way of life. In 2010 Jessica Maher is headed to Switzerland.

During the last twelve months the Rotary Club of Bellingen also assisted local students to participate in several Science Forums initiated by Rotary. Bellingen High students travelled to Armidale, Newcastle and the Marine Studies Centre in Coffs Harbour where they experienced science at a very exciting level.

Musical talent was also recognised by the Rotary Club of Bellingen when a new cello was purchased for the students at Bellingen Primary School and a student from the high school was sponsored to attend a workshop at Grafton.

With the help of Brigit Williams, a teacher at the High School, a local public speaking competition was held. Local girl, April Locke, was chosen to represent Bellingen at the Zone Finals. April was a credit to her school and the Bellingen Rotary Club and after a very close final, where she was runner up. April can’t wait to compete again this year.

In March 21 year old Rebecca Newcombe was sponsored to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in Port Macquarie where she gained skills that will help her in her work as a volunteer for the Urunga SES. This knowledge will not only assist Rebecca in her work with the SES but will also be of great benefit to the Bellingen community.

The Rotary Club of Bellingen is committed to assisting the youth of our community and would like to congratulate the many young Bellingen citizens who have represented their community so admirably.

 

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Published by Pete Bennetts on 05 Jun 2009

Rotary Exchange to New Zealand

 

 

In 2008 three Bellingen High students, Maddie Tarrant, Billy Mills and Tess Marshall, participated in a matched student exchange with students from New Zealand. Each student hosted their New Zealand counterpart for ten weeks, as part of their own family, and then spent ten weeks living in New Zealand with the other family. All of the students really enjoyed the experience and all learned about life in another country as well as taking a much more responsible role in the decisions in their own life.
 
Billy Mills spent 10 weeks on a large sheep farm at the southern end of the South Island at Tapanui where he had a great time. Since returning to Bellingen, Billy is determined to continue his exploration of the world and is considering applying to go on a 12 month exchange after he finishes school at the end of 2010.
 
All the students involved in the matched exchange to New Zealand were really glad that they had participated in the program, and all had some really great adventures. The Rotary Club of Bellingen is looking for students aged between 13 ½ and 16 who are interested in applying for an exchange to New Zealand in 2010.
Phone 66 550217

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Published by Pete Bennetts on 03 Jun 2009

Exchange is Nearly Over

  

 Rotary Exchange student Poi (Punyawan) Chuchuai is due to fly home to Thailand in July after her year long exchange to District 9650 where she was hosted by the Rotary club of Bellingen and several Bellingen families. Poi has attended Bellingen High while on exchange where she has made good friends and worked on improving her English.

 At a recent meeting of Bellingen Rotary Club attended by Rotarians and their guests Poi delivered a talk about her stay in Australia and her life back in Thailand. Poi’s presentation included photos of her country and its culture as well as her family, her friends and school back in Thailand. Everyone enjoyed Poi’s presentation as it encapsulated Poi’s delightful personality and her journey since she arrived in Australia as well as reflecting her wonderful Thai heritage.
 
The meeting was also attended by local girl, Jess Maher, who has applied to go on exchange in 2010 as well as Billy Mills and his family who are Poi’s current host family. Billy was an exchange student to New Zealand in 2008. April Locke, who represented Bellingen in the District Rotary Public Speaking Final, was also on hand to give support and good advice to her good friend Poi.
 
Over the new three weeks Poi is off on ‘Safari’ to visit as much of Australia as she can before she heads home. Poi’s trip will include Uluru, The Great Barrier Reef and Cairns before she returns briefly to Bellingen to farewell all her new family and friends before flying home. Poi has appreciated the generous hospitality of her host families and would like to stay longer but she is returning home intending to study engineering. Hopefully she will make a return visit in the future.

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