Bethany's year in exchange

Posted by Ed Boonstra 
 

Norm introduced Bethany but before he did he promoted "hands on" work of our club and how this fits in with hosting Bethany.  He called Bethany the "Tree Killer" after her first Christmas tree expedition with Warren.

Bess wished us G'day.  She showed us where she is from in Australia and talked about her love of the beaches there.  Her home is currently in a drought and they are experiencing bad fires this year. She told us about Melbourne and about some of the native animals.

Cobden is her home town, population  1200.  St. Augustine has as many students as there are people in her town. Cobden has the largest milk factory in the Southern Hemisphere.  She showed us samples of their town newspaper.  Her home club is very active and they have known her since she was a child.

Bess talked about her family. She is one of six children and they live on a 520 acre farm and milk 300 cows twice daily. It is all automated. Bess likes to swim and enjoys other sports. 

Bess began her year in Canada in January 2006.  It was her first time away from home. Her first home was with the Digby's. Then came Camp Wonika.  She is in the St. Augustine school band and got to go to Atlanta.  She attended the school prom in Georgetown.  Bess is a big fan of Brampton Battalion hockey games.  She has also been to an Argo game, a Blue Jays game, Mosport and a Leaf game.  The Leafs lost.  Bess then moved to the Robinson residence and had a great time. 

During the summer she spent 33 days with 36 students on a train from Peggy's Cove to Victoria B.C.  he loved hiking the Rocky Mountains. Once back in Ontario she went to Wasaga Beach. Warren's family was her third stay. She has been motorcycling with Warren.  Bess says that experiencing the seasons is different.  John Lomax took Bess to an Aboriginal festival in Toronto. Halloween was a new experience even though she is a bit old for trick or treating.  Bess also enjoyed participating in the Santa Claus parade.  Monday meetings were her favorite time of the week because of the extended family feeling she got.

John Lomax thanked Bess for the wonderful year we had having her as our exchange student and presented her with our Australian flag. Bess presented President Sheila and Past President Ed with Presidents gifts. A very nice surprise.

Rotarian Bob McIntyre commented on what a great speaker Bess is and that she gave us a wonderful presentation.