Trips To Australia
The Dingoes 2007 Team Leader Report
by Jen Howlett
Travelling
From the moment I met my team at Cardiff Central Bus Station I knew it was going to be a trip of a lifetime! All team members oozed enthusiasm immediately, thrilled to be leaving their parents and embarking on their individual adventures! The name tags went down a treat. We immediately felt a close knit team and got to know everyone pretty quickly. Despite the flight over to Sydney being so long it flew by (no pun intended!) in a blur of chatter and excitement. Sleep was definitely not on the agenda until conversation had been thoroughly exhausted and we all sat back to enjoy the top class in flight entertainment offered by Etihad airline.
Upon arriving in Sydney it was reassuring to know we had transport arranged to take our weary 20 team members to our first port of call. Frank, our driver was most informative and combined with the efforts of the team leaders managed to keep everyone awake for the journey to Wollongong. All organised transport on the trip was exceptional and gave the team a welcome break from studying bus and train timetables! Our drivers on conservation, Taz and Kimba, lived up to the Dingoe motto...Fun, Fun, Fun, with a responsible edge!! The only tears to be seen were on the bus and flight home, not one of us wanting to leave Australia and end such an amazing journey. The separation of the team at Heathrow proved how close we had been when the driver had to yell, ‘get on the bus or be left on the platform!’ I have never known a mobile network to be so busy in the 4 hours that followed!!
Accommodation / Place of Work
We could not have asked for better places to stay whilst in Oz. (Well we could have but in terms of the experience we had it was amazing!) Keiraview apartments in Wollongong were incredibly welcoming and were genuinely thrilled to be part of The Joshua Foundation for the duration of our stay. The location was perfect for those who wished to relax at the beach, spend time at the shopping mall or even sample the somewhat leisurely nightlife that the local bars had to offer! These first few days were ideal for bonding as a team over pizza evenings and bowling outings. We were, however, lulled into a false sense of security before facing our conservation camp in Kangaroo Valley!!
Arrival in Chakola produced Tears, Tantrums and Terror! The cabins were basic with a capital B, no heating, no electricity and nick-named home of the huntsman. However, the initial reaction faded quickly to that of comfort and freedom and a homely, sentimental vibe settled over the camp. Our evening meals, prepared by all, (extra effort from our team chef Emma English) made us feel like one big happy family. Everyone contributed to help things run smoothly. It was a sad day when it was time to leave for Sydney, even the most vehement spider haters exclaiming they didn’t want to leave!
Sydney YHA was pure luxury. Despite not wanting to leave Chakola, the team made excellent use of the pool and sauna facilities as well as the famous Scubar for a well earned night out! Such a central location was perfect for ending our trip.
Conservation Work
Every member of the team gave 100% during conservation work. It helped having such enthusiastic conservation team leaders, Taz and Kimba, who really made an exerted effort to ensure we had the best time possible. Our team of 20 was split into two groups of 10 and sited at two separate locations alternating each day. We were incredibly lucky to be working in areas that showed the team the true beauty of Australia.
The one site was based on the coast working for an 87 yr old conservation worker Charlie. Charlie had dedicated his life to preserving and nurturing the landscape of Australia and our team helped to lessen his work load by lopping lower branches of Lantana tress to avoid drag during floods and clearing large Coral trees from the track. This took a lot of manpower and I know the team felt honoured to help Charlie in this way.
The second site was in the mountains of Kangaroo Valley where the view was spectacular. Here the team planted over 300 native trees to encourage preservation and growth within that area. All the hard work was worth it when we had our barbeque lunch and fresh lemonades off a local tree.
The team were thrilled during conservation to spot a red-bellied black snake basking in the sun in the area we were working. Rhys Hartley, however, was not so thrilled to find he had a Tick in his head that had to be savagely plucked out by Kimba and her trusty tweezers!! What an experience!
Sydney
Sydney was the best possible location to finish off our time in Australia. I was lucky to get on the bridge climb with the rest of my team and proud to be presented with my second climb certificate. All stated it was well worth the wind burn and leg ache to get to the top and back again!
Bondi Beach provided an excellent opportunity for some of our surfer chicks to strut their stuff in the water. Katie Taylor roped in a few of the gang to rent boards and ride the waves despite the chilly nip in the air...BRRRR! Others just enjoyed the surf sales many taking their luggage allowance way over the 20kgs mark!! (Me being one of them!) This outing was a pleasant relief from what had proved an extremely emotional morning. Members the team had been particularly touched by the trip to the Jewish Museum and the stories shared by Lotte and Eddie. Although I had visited the museum before, the memories and tales of our guides did not fail to move me once again.
All team members were pleased to visit the Westmead Children’s Hospital and remember the cause we are all fighting for. Our tour guide Margaret was delightful and Christine, a nurse on the children’s ward, was bubbly and upbeat helping to lighten the atmosphere for the children on that ward. The team did express a disappointment in not being able to meet some of the children to distribute their gifts but it was understood the nature of their treatment could not allow visitors at this time.
To conclude our time in Sydney the team sat on the Opera house steps and threw their hats in the air. It was like watching some sort of strange Australian graduation but we all felt it was a good way to share our team spirit!
The End.
Although this is the end of Oz Experience 2007 it is really the beginning for the friendships made between the members of the Dingoes. Every member including myself has made a bond that can never be broken and we owe this amazing experience to The Joshua Foundation. I hope that all members of my team continue to fundraise and will now stay part of TJF for life. All are now members of The Kookaburra Society, which is a good start!