This was the last time our District participated in a wonderful Friendship Exchange but as COVID lessens its grips, these opportunities to do an Exchange will OPEN UP AGAIN. Be ready to take your opportunity to go when it does!

In 2019, then District 9550 AUSTRALIA went to by District 7570 in VIRGINIA USA.

RFE gives Rotarians the opportunity to experience other cultures and is self funded. The program advances International understanding, goodwill and peace across national boundries.

The Virginians visited our District in 2018. Our team of 5 were invited back to the US in 2019. We visited three clubs across four Districts,over 11 days, and were given a wonderful welcome by old and new friends made when their team visited Oz.

Our Team Members consisted of :

Ida Portella Travel Agent, PDG D9550, RC Mareeba.

Geoff Stockwell Police Officer in Charge, Outback E Club, Ida's husband.

Helen Kett Retired Teacher RC Cairns Trinity

Margaret Purcell GP Doctor RC Cairns Trinity

Jan Johnson Friendship Chair, Retired Teacher, RC Mundingburra

Ida in her year as DG had set up the Exchange, and somehow I became her understudy as Friendship Chair. And now I get to do this article, and make you aware of this great way to travel and experience friendship and Fellowship.  

Ida is still a great friend and wonderful Rotarian, and she also has the skill of getting one involved before one realises what is happening!!!

Arrival 6 October...Roanoke. We were met by Host members of Blacksburg/Christianburg RC. They were founded in 1978, and currently have members 40. Their meeting was the following night. A presentation by the team on individual interests and towns was well received, and club banners were exchanged. The next three days we were treated to non stop activities.

First up we were driven along the Bue Ridge Mountain parkway ...stunning views greeted us at every turn along the way. Sherriff's County Office stopover was next, a request by Geoff, was very interesting for all of us to observe the different forms of enforcement and how they are carried out.

We then visited Mabry Mill built by Edwin Mabry 1867-1936, a water powered mill where folks bought their shucked corn to be ground into meal. What an amazing invention for the 1800's.

The visit to Virginia Tech bought back sad memories of the senseless massaca of 32 people, students and Professors in 2007 on the University campus. Now on the Drillfield 32 Hokie Stones are placed in a semicircle for all to gather and reflect. They also symbolise relentless spirit, and courage to move forward but never to forget.

Moving again along the Blue Ridge pathway we met our next Hosts by the Roanoke Star, a hugh structure that lights the city below and reminds them to show kindness to all. Lunch was at the Hotel Roanoke built in 1882. A Tudor Revival building, that started with 32 rooms now grown to 284 to cater for tourists. A breakfast meeting with RC Smithmountain Lake saw another PP Presentation, lots of questions and interest shown once again.

We were then driven to a Community Garden run by the Rotarians, who plant enough food for the jobless/aged/poor, for the following winter. A great project helping the less fortunite in the community.

A visit to the Booker T Washington National Monument 1856-1915 was another place of interest we were taken to visit. "A Race like an Individual lifts itself up by lifting others up"

Brooker was born here and later freed here. Born into slavery he did more with his life than people born free. A black man who was and still is admired for what he achieved in those times.

The team finished the day with a speedboat ride/ then dinner by the Smithmountain Lake with all our hosts.

The following day we moved onto our next stop in Staunton. We were taken to the National D Day Memorial. It was built to honour the valor, fidelity and sacrifice of Allied Forces that took part in the landing at Normandy France on 6 June 1944. The Allied Forces in 24 hours, greatly impacted and set in motion the destruction of the Nazi regime, but the human cost was high.

Free time followed with our next Hosts, with no Rotary meeting, lots of sightseeing with individual Hosts who then combined to take us to the Fall Folage Arts Festival, where many of their arts and crafts were being sold in the main street and to meet other family members. Also we were delighted to see the beautiful changing colours of the trees, which is one reason why one visits Virginia ....the autumn colours are amazing! The day finished with a group dinner and meeting other members of the Staunton RC.

Last stop, Warren Country in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and a VIP tour to the Smithsonian National Zoo and Biology Conservation Institute. This had been arranged by a Rotarian, as the general public are excluded from visiting these facilities. Here,  endangered species, of both the animal and bird world, are being studied in an effort to stop their extinction. Some species there are the last known survivors on the earth....unbelieveable but so interesting to hear/learn how scientists are trying to turn around not losing a particular species. We finished the day and ended our stay with a visit to the Desert Rose Winery, knowing we had a final early morning meeting with the RC of Front Royal, and then being driven to Washington DC.

We had a fantastic 11 days experiencing Rotarians, their families food and sights, whilst supporting a Rotary program. A great way to see inside a culture meet with fellow minded people to exchange and receive ideas on how to promote Rotary within one's club abd district.

Jan Johnson

RC Mundingburra

Friendship Chair 2019-2022