News Item - 3 August 2005

by Wendy Lundgaard
President, National Association of Past Exchangees

Hi All past Exchangees (those on email)

It has been more than 12 months since our fast paced yet fun packed Queensland Reunion. Yes if was May 2004 when more than 60 past exchangees and partners frolicked and enjoyed themselves on Queensland 's adorable Sunshine Coast at Coolum. Here we shared many interesting tales, enjoyed fantastic sunshine, ventured to the hinterland for a Ginger Factory tour, sampled the famous Eumundi craft markets, took in a sunset cruise on Noosa River, enjoyed the Crocodile Hunter's Australia Zoo, participated in a lawn bowls tournament and so much more, not to mention the celebratory dinner, complete with awards and ‘entertainment' from a group of noisy 1984 exchangees to UK and their Kiwi mates (my fault entirely)

Highlights of 2004 Reunion

It was fabulous that every state was well represented by past exchangees at the reunion. One of the highlights was to see so many reunions with the reunion – those who ventured off together on some overseas or interstate adventure getting back together to share those precious memories (or tall stories!!) . For me a highlight was having a ‘reunion within a reunion' of my 1984 fellow exchangees to the United Kingdom . We managed to get all 6 Aussies and three of the four New Zealanders together to mark our 20th anniversary – what a terrific time. We dusted off some of the ‘performance routines' performed as a group back at the Royal Show in England and again in Scotland . It was amazing we remembered the words…and even more amazing that we remembered the tunes!!

It was also terrific, at the dinner, to award some special past exchangees with recognition of 50 years since their exchange trip. The ‘over 50's club' awardees at this event were:

• Ken Gold (Qld to UK ‘53)

• Charlie McCarron (NSW to USA ‘54)

• Mort Hudson (Qld to USA '55)

Special mention is also made to Graham Jensen OAM (Qld to NSW ‘52)

Following the AREA National Meeting I can advise the following office bearers were elected:

• Wendy Lundgaard as National President (Qld to WA in '82, Qld to UK '84)

• Margaret Hutchinson as secretary (SA to NSW '81)

We will carry the flag for AREA for the next two years until the 2006 reunion.

Next Aussie Reunion

NSW past exchangees are designated hosts for the 2006 reunion. This reunion will provide another opportunity for friendships to be made, renewed and consolidated. Once details of the event a confirmed it will be important to spread the information to as many past exchangees as possible. We have now established a comprehensive data base of addresses in all states, however there are plenty of gaps as people move to different locations.

World IFYE Comes to Australia

I am delighted to confirm that the IFYE World Reunion in 2008 will be held in Adelaide from 4 – 11 October, and hosted, largely, by a group of past exchangees. Deb Clarke (SA to UK '82) is the Chair of the IFYE 2008 Reunion which promises to be something very special indeed!. Why not check out the website on www.ifyeoz2008.com The IFYE World Reunion has only ever been staged in the southern hemisphere once before….in NZ in 1978. It is a terrific opportunity to promote Australia and the team are out to definitely make the event memorable. If you know of any sponsorship opportunities available please contact Deb via the above website. She will be more than happy to discuss possible opportunities.

The next IFYE Asia Pacific Reunion is to be held in Thailand 4 – 8 September. Information is now available about this event in the attachment to this email. Please communicate directly with the organising committee if you are interested. (see attachment for further details)

That's about all the news for this update. Given that it has taken me more than 12 months to write it I had better send it without any further delay.

The next time I write it will be, hopefully, about the next reunion details planned for somewhere in NSW in 2006. Until then.......Yours in Rural Youth

Wendy Lundgaard
President, National Association of Past Exchangees

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