Trips To Australia
2006 - The Dingoes
For two years I worked hard raising money and taking part in charity events, all to get my group and myself to Australia. It wasn’t until a few day till we left that it actually sank in I was going to the other side of the world. I was excited about the people I would meet and the new things I would be doing, and I wasn’t disappointed.
At first the group was wary of each other, but we soon bonded after I drank too much iced tea and we all shared life stories waiting for yet another plane.
We arrived in Brisbane and were carted off to Coolangatta, where we stayed and visited Steve Irwin’s Zoo. We were all a little excited, but there was no sign of Steve ( sniff). Then we were whisked off to Koorabyn to start our conservation work.
The best part of the conservation work was being able to do something different with some crazy people. We built a fantastic path through the help of disco jumping ( provided by some welsh beauties), we also climbed a very high mountain where the views were amazing, and lunch wasn’t bad either. The best part was being able to work on the Joshua Foundation land, knowing that in the future children who really needed it would be staying on a resort that we helped, in some small way, to cultivate and build.
Our team leaders were amazing and we had some great themed parties too, limbo and all. The team leaders looked after us and we even had an Australian Muster - where we saw sheep being sheared. The Welsh among us weren’t that impressed, but I enjoyed the Australian ‘no fuss’ approach. Later on we took part in dancing on a golf course later at night with a Kiwi fellow - very surreal, but everyone had a great time.
After that we whizzed of to the big city. In Sydney we fitted in so many activities - boat rides, posh dinners and many, many pool competitions. The revolving restaurant was amazing and we ate all kinds of food like Camel, Oysters and Kangaroo ( which was actually very delicious, and not at all like chicken!). I think the high point for most of the students was climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge - I don’t think I shared the same enthusiasm as I went through two hankies and stared at Louise’s back for the whole trip, I’m told the view was very nice… I’m still having to breathe in a paper bag every time I think about the whole experience.
We were all very disappointed when we couldn’t get to go to hospital . All the students had come prepared and were very upset, but we did get the privileged to be part of ‘Butterflies of Hope’ in Sydney. All the students wrote a message of hope on butterflies for children around the world in war situations. It was so great to be part of something so special, especially representing the Joshua Foundation and our country.
The students then went on a tour around the Jewish Museum where we met the most amazing survivor, Eddie. If anything this man made the kids realise the importance of changing their futures and making a difference, I think we all shed a tear that day ( although Eddie took a liking to Mike and they ended up ‘having a moment’ and hugging lots!).
The students all grew up a little as they embarked on a whistle stop tour of Oz and they also made a difference, which I think is superior to just travelling around. The foundation were so supportive and all the students came back buzzing with new memories and friends. Even though I was team leader, I too learnt a great deal, like facing your ultimate fear doesn’t cure it ( where’s the paper bag), but more importantly that through these trips the Joshua Foundation makes not just a difference to children who are terminally ill, but also to children who are able to get up and do something, and even if in a small way, make changes to the world in which they live.
Thanks , Mercedes x