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16 - PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, August, 5, 1992 Hh HHI TN----E= "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" By Marnie Luke Port Perry Star In August, the last thing on most people's minds is the dreaded Canadian winter, which lies four months ahead. But for Amber Herder, the summer is already over, and the winter has begun. The 17-year-old Port Perry resident left for a year-long trip to southern Australia last Fri- day, after being chosen to repre- sent the Rotary Club's 7070 dis- trict. But although it may be win- ter down under, Amber won't be seeing any snowplows or to- boggans until she returns home tothe north. The temperature in Traral- gon, the city just an hour east of Melbourne where Amber will be staying, rarely drops below 10 degrees Celcius. Summer days are sweltering, with the temperature often reaching 35 to 40 degrees. But Amber has no qualms about the weather, or any other aspect of Australia. "It'll probably take me at least the first month to adjust to everything, but I'm not too worried about it," she said. A few such adjustments will include going to a new school, living with a new family, and giving regular speeches to her host Rotary Club and other or- ganizations. Amber has just completed Grade 11 at Port Perry High School, and will be attending school on a full-time basis in Traralgon. She hopes to apply some of the credits earned to her Onta- rio diploma, to avoid an extra year of schooling when she re- turns. The Australian education system is similar to that of Can- ada, although the structure is set up as a 12-month school year, with vacations in between each of the four semesters. Amber will be living with three different families, each for four month intervals. Her first host family lives in the city, which has a population of approximately 24,000. She is looking forward to liv- ing in such a central location for her first few months, but also hopes to spend time with at least one family living in the ° outback, perhaps on a sheep farm. There are plans to take a month-long tour of the conti- nent towards the end of the year, and Amber also hopes to take a side-trip to New Zea- land. Aside from this busy sched- ule of school and travel, she is also required to make presenta- tions about Canada to the Aus- tralian Rotary Club. The organization encourages all participants to get involved in their host community, and Amber plans to join either the local or school field hockey team. But there are, however, some activites which are not encour- aged. "They call them the 'Four Ds'," Amber said. VICTORIA INN Gore's Landing on Rice Lake + Lunch & Dinner served Wednesday through Sunday Try our Sunday Brunch 10:30am to 2:00pm $ 0° reservations please (416) 342-326 Accomodations ® Receptions e Docking ' a August : August 5 Matinccs August 8, 12 515 at the Academy Fheatre in Lindsay, Ontario for tickets phone (705) 324-9114 or (705) 324-9111 Le" FRE W Amber Herder points on a map to the city of Traralgon, just Rg one day before leaving for the southern Australian town where she'll be living for the next year. See story for details. "No drinking, no drugs, no driving and no dating." The Rotary Club is cautious in selecting a representative, to ensure they choose a person who will uphold these rules. The selection process in- volves an initial written appli- cation, followed by a personal interview with a panel of six Ro- tary members, who then choose one representative per district. The successful applicant picks their three top choices from a list of countries in Eu- rope, Africa, Asia, and many other areas of the world. One of the three choices is usually met, provided the host country accepts the applicant and can make all necessary housing and schooling arrange- ments. : Choosing where she'd like to live for a year from a list of countries all over the world, didn't take much thought on Amber's part. "When I was accepted, I knew right away I wanted to go to Australia. I've heard nothing but good things about it, and have wanted to go since I was really young," she said. Since she found out she was selected eight months ago, Am- Local teen takes trip Down Under ber said she has gone through periods of doubting her decision to leave home for a year, but does not regret her choice. "This is a chance of a lifetime. I knew if I didn't do it, I'd kick myself for it later," she said. Although the Rotary .Club handles all travel and itinerary plans, the representatives are required to pay for their own airfare and expenses. Amber had plenty of time to practice her Aussie lingo dur- ing the 22-hour flight to Mel- bourne, which included stop- overs in Honolulu and Sydney. While in Scotland a few years ago, Amber picked up an accent quickly, and expects the same will happen in Australia. "I'm hoping to drop a few bad habits while I'm there. Like saying "eh" so often. I don't want them#p think we really do say that all the time," she laughed. Amber said there are many things she'll miss about home while she's gone, such as spend- ing time with her family, going to her cottage, and not having a white Christmas. Last week before she left, she said she didn't want to leave Canada with any built-up ex- pectations of Australia. She said she'd rather go with an open mind, ready to try the new experiences soon to come her way. "My biggest fear is not fitting in. But I'm a strong person and outgoing, so I'm sure that soon enough Il just blend in and have a great time," she said. Children invited to attend Vacation Bible School ER BE Epsom News Norman and Betty Tapscott have returned after visiting their son John and his wife in Halifax, for a week. Thelma and Donald McKay of Toronto visited Bill and Melba McKay. Together they visited Cullen Gardens. Many in the area will be sorry to hear of the passing of Aileen Shier. Mrs. Shier taught at the Greenbank-Epsom schools where she was also librarian. Any Womens' Institute mem- ber who would like to go to Mil- ton Agriculture Museum, Aug. 15, phone Doreen Brethour or Marg Bruce. Several from our area attend- ed the beef barbecue at Green- bank on Friday evening. Aug. 17 from Monday to Fn- day, 9:30-11:30 a.m., all chil- dren are invited to Vacation Bible School at Epsom Church. The subject this year is Puppets and Pets for Kids. If you are one of the above, come along and "Go Bananas" with us. There was a good attendance at Mrs. Ethel Reed of Oshawa and Elizabeth Taylor were in Sundndge and North Bay on Tuesday visiting their children and wee granddaughter. Both grandmas had a chance to hold their three pound granddaugh- ter Ray Taylor was home for the weekend with Earl and Eliza- beth. Church at Epsom next Sun- day at 9:30 a.m. with Shirley Baster as guest speaker. On Saturday a large family group attended the Evans pic: nicin Elgin Park, Uxbridge. Mike Wilson attended the Arabian Horse Show at New- market for a few days. He came home with a fist full of ribbons, one of which was a champion- ship. Congratulations, Mike. Visitors with Earl and Marie Wilson and Scott. this week were Mr. Ern Simpson of Ux- bridge on Tuesday, Ian and Marlene Apchibald and chil- dren of Udora were luncheon guests on Friday. Richard and Paula Wilson of Udora had Fri- day supper with his parents Earl and Marie. Joyce Lewchuk and Simon of Kitchener have returned home after spending the week with her parents Earl and Marie Wilson, while granddaughter Leah was at Bible Club Camp at Omemee. Famous yard sale held By Hazel Zoller Bible Study on Wednesday, July 15 dealt with character ref- erence. A talk was given on the life of Moses and how we are flexible in our lives. We learned how God builds leadership qual- ities in all of us. During Residents Council Meeting on July 16, a future dream trip was discussed along with several small outings. On Friday, July 17, we had lunch at Haugen's Barbecue. The picnic was cancelled due to weather. On Monday, July 20 during discussion group, "How Things Have Changed" was the topic. It had to do with progress at the nursing home and many were amazed at the many changes in the last 10 years. We talked about plans for the future and the many things we had to look forward to. Tuesday, July 21 in the after- noon, a beautiful outing to a home in Nestleton sponsored by the Pine Ridge Garden Club was thoroughly enjoyed by eve- ryone. The gardens were in full bloom and the flowers them- selves were just gorgeous. A special breakfast menu was held on Wednesday, July 22 with 32 residents in atten- dance. We had crafts in the af- ternoon of sewing bows on a quilt and baking for the yard sale. On July 23 a lawn party was held in the dining room due to rainy weather with great'enter- tainment by Alex Ingrim and friends for everyone to enjoy. Friday, July 24 we held our famous yard sale and we wish to thank all our many volunteers who showed up to help and to the community who helped to support and make ica great suc- cess.