Trips To Australia
2007 - The Skippies
Our Oz Experience began on Wednesday 11'h July 2007 it was an early start for the Skippies team leaders as they left Cwmbran to meet up with the Wombats at London Greenline station. You could feel the mood as people were nervous, anxious and even a bit scared of the adventure ahead. As the name badges were given out you could see the team members looking as if to wonder what their team members were like. Over the course of our journey from the bus station to the airport and then onto Sydney the team leaders and members began the important "getting to know" you bond. It was a long journey especially for one of the team who was sick for the whole flight (but did not let that stop her enjoying the experience).
24 hours later we arrived at the first stage of our trip Woollongong. We soon realised that the advice to bring warm clothes was not an exaggeration. Assuming it was a warm country (even in winter) most of the Skippies had packed shorts and flip flops (we were going to Australia after all).After checking what everyone had a trip to the local hike shop was called for. Several thermal tops and the odd sleeping bag later, fully equipped we were now ready to start enjoying overselves Gareth's comment Joshua's army became the catch phase of the trip with team members repeating it at every opportunity.
Whilst at Woollongong we took a trip to Symbio Wildlife Park where it really hit home that we were in Australia. We seen koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and wallabies among other native Australian animals. Natalie was not impressed when a llama stole her bag of food off her, however to everyone's surprise she had the courage to wrestle it back off him! The park rangers were very friendly and many of the team held a very large Boa Constrictor (photographic evidence to follow).On the journey back to Woollongong some locals were arguing on the train this as the team members said made the journey back "more interesting"
Before going to start the conservation work we took a trip to the beach where we played football, Frisbee and some of the team even went for a swim, much to the amusement of the locals after all it was their winter. The sight of Gareth in his speedos as he went off for a paddle is an image which will stay with some for a long time to come(they may even need counselling). As Gareth returned from the waters edge he was not amused to find that the team members had put his clother on the top of a very high pole. Try as he may he could not climb the pole(we have photos). The team members formed a human pyramid to retrieve Gareth's clothes (once they stopped laughing).
The second leg of our trip was the conservation work which for many represented the highlight of their trip.The skippies split into 3 groups and they named themselves:PLASTIC,TEASEME AND TEAMRAVE. The views on the way through kangaroo valley to Chakola were spectacular. After completing the first days conservation work it was off to where we were to stay. Upon arriving at our accommodation we soon realised that the trees, the wildlife and the cold would become our close friends over the next 5 days. We stayed in log cabins with no heating during the coldest month of the Australian calendar. However with the help of hot water bottles and a campfire we managed to keep the cold out. As hot water was on a tank, showers were limited to a few minutes each otherwise the rest of the group would be taking cold showers or for some no shower at all (Lizzie! I!) at least she was the only one who admitted it. Those who did brave the showers did so because they had to, not that they wanted to.
During the days we undertook a variety of projects, some planted trees, others did weeding and Becky and Vicky even managed to construct a very impressive barbed wire fence with Taz's help. Everybody worked very hard and the CVA leaders were so impressed with the efforts of the group that after cleaning all the vans and trailers on the last day, we were given the rest of the day off work to go and visit a rainforest. Jodie had been bitten by a white-tail spider the day before so we stopped off in the medical centre to have her leg checked out. Fortunately she was ok but what a story to tell the grandchildren! The CVA leaders were fantastic they taught us the PEGUIN SONG & DANCE and made an effort to ensure that everyone had a great time in Kangaroo Valley. We really feel that this part of the trip taught everyone a lot about themselves and how well they could adapt to the circumstances they were faced with. It also played a huge part in group bonding. As much as some initially thought they would not like it and did not want to stay by the end they were all very sad to leave.
The final 4 days in Sydney was the part that everyone had been looking forward to. We met up with 3 other groups at the youth hostel and spent the rest of the time together cramming in one experience after another. We managed to get a real taste of Sydney in a very short space of time. We climbed the Sydney bridge which for a lot of people was the highlight of the trip, we visited the Jewish museum, took a jet boat ride (where we could all be heard screaming throughout Sydney), saw Harry Potter In 3D Imax (more than half of us missed bits as we were so tired but would never admit it), visited the revolving restaurant situated at the top of the highest tower in Sydney were we able to try out a variety of food from camel to kangaroo (it must of jumped up there) and went to Bondi Beach. We all got together for a final evening meal at the Hard Rock café where we had a chance to share some of the experiences with other groups. The last night finally here and Rebecca and Gareth were left to pack and make any final arrangements for the morning trip to the airport in Sydney. Morning came and it was time to say goodbye to those lucky ones who were staying on in Australia and to head back to Sydney airport.
During the trip these were inevitably some difficulties to face but these were far outnumbered by the good times and in our opinion only added to the experience. I am sure that all the Skippies will agree that their Oz Experience is one which they will never forget. Friendships were formed which will last long after our return to the UK.
As team leaders we watched team members grow in confidence as they learnt about themselves and others. We are very proud to be the leaders of the Skippies and would like to thank the whole team for making the Oz Experience everything it was.
Thanks Guys from Becky and Gareth.xxx