G'day All,
Mmmm I feel so relaxed..... Jen and I were just spoiled by a wonderful home cooked meal by our host family (Dean and Martha), as a result I am considering pursuing a newly realised dream to become a professional wood fire pizza chef... having been instumental in insuring that tonights dinner was successful... although Martha, Jenny and Dean also did help to some lesser extent ;-)
I then was able to relax in a wonderfully relaxing spa bath (while Jen demonstrated her superior leadership skills by beginning the process of charting our travels on a google map.... she is definitely the "geek" of the team, despite her protestations, and this proves it !)
We all had a terrific day again in Lake Havashu. Of particular note was Jenny sucking up to Don the owner of a local Dairy Queen and Rotary denizen when she gave his restaurant a free plug on her very entertaining radio interview.... he was very appreciative (which may be of benefit later on in the week !)
Denises Shopping odyssey continued again today with a highly anticipated trip to Walmart, and more barbies to add to her substantial collection (the dolly... not the outdoor oven!)
Watch out for GSE Barbie who is now accompanying the team in a very stylish brown dress ensemble which like all team apparel fully meets Denise's approval!
As always Ainsley has been the cool and calm voice of reason. Thank heavens theres one sensible team member... (she can bail us out !)
Jenny's google map will be growing as our journey continues and can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/csesgd
Check back in with it from time to time.
I'm off to bed (as there's heaps more fun to come tomorrow !)
I'll check back in soon,
Andrew
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
New Havasu City... a Desert Oasis
G'day All,
Well, we've been in Lake Havasu City for over a day now... and I've got to say, as much as Phoenix was AWESOME.. Lake Havasu City ROCKS (quite literally, there was stuff about the mining of Silver and Gold in the Lake Havasu City museum that filled us in on the intricacies of mining in the mid 18th Century).
The Party Bus was particularly full today, and, although somewhat quiter at times (due to one of our number... namely Denise, shopping half the day!) suitably raucus :-)
Martha and Deano (the host family for Jenny and I) have been amazingly cool, and have been very understanding of my Australian idiosyncracies (namely, love of vegemite, cricket, and a tendency to talk a million 'miles' an hour!)
It's been truly terrific to meet the (what seems like) 'millions' and 'millions' of Arizonan Rotarians, that have shared their wonderful country with us :-)
Hoo Roo (for now)
Andrew
PS. Because I'm such a slacko and this is my first blog (Jenny is such a swot!) I wanted to give a quick shout out to Vince and Sue, my host family in Phoenix. They are two of the loveliest people I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Thankyou :-)
Well, we've been in Lake Havasu City for over a day now... and I've got to say, as much as Phoenix was AWESOME.. Lake Havasu City ROCKS (quite literally, there was stuff about the mining of Silver and Gold in the Lake Havasu City museum that filled us in on the intricacies of mining in the mid 18th Century).
The Party Bus was particularly full today, and, although somewhat quiter at times (due to one of our number... namely Denise, shopping half the day!) suitably raucus :-)
Martha and Deano (the host family for Jenny and I) have been amazingly cool, and have been very understanding of my Australian idiosyncracies (namely, love of vegemite, cricket, and a tendency to talk a million 'miles' an hour!)
It's been truly terrific to meet the (what seems like) 'millions' and 'millions' of Arizonan Rotarians, that have shared their wonderful country with us :-)
Hoo Roo (for now)
Andrew
PS. Because I'm such a slacko and this is my first blog (Jenny is such a swot!) I wanted to give a quick shout out to Vince and Sue, my host family in Phoenix. They are two of the loveliest people I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Thankyou :-)
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Goodbye Phoenix!
Hi,
Tonight we said goodbye to our wonderful Phoenix host families. Still can't convince Jan and Dottie to drive 'The Barbie Car' to Las Vegas to join us but at least Jan will be at the District Conference in Prescott.
Presented at the Phoenix 100 Rotary Club meeting today and did a vocational visit with Suzanne Marwill. We also toured the Heard Museum and learned about Native American culture in the South West.
Tomorrow it's a four-hour drive in 'The Party Bus' to Lake Havasu.
Stay tuned,
Jenny
Tonight we said goodbye to our wonderful Phoenix host families. Still can't convince Jan and Dottie to drive 'The Barbie Car' to Las Vegas to join us but at least Jan will be at the District Conference in Prescott.
Presented at the Phoenix 100 Rotary Club meeting today and did a vocational visit with Suzanne Marwill. We also toured the Heard Museum and learned about Native American culture in the South West.
Tomorrow it's a four-hour drive in 'The Party Bus' to Lake Havasu.
Stay tuned,
Jenny
Friday, May 1, 2009
Learning and partying!
Hi everyone,
We've learned so much in the last five days, particularly about the inner workings of the disability sector in the US.
We've visited the Old West town of Wickenburg, toured the Senate and Arizona's old Capitol building, met with Arizona's Governor, Jan Brewer, and presented to four Arizona Rotary Clubs.
Vocational visits have included the Disability Resource Center at Arizona State University, Arizona Bridge to Independent Living, Wings of Grace (riding program for people with disabilities) and the AmeriServe day programme in Wickenburg.
The food and the hospitality here has been second to none and we are having lots of fun scaring the locals with Vegemite tastings!
We've christened our transport vehicle 'The Party Bus' and given several of our host family members uniquely Australian names including: "Gazza", "Rando" and "Dono".
A busy but very exciting time is being had by all.
Jenny
We've learned so much in the last five days, particularly about the inner workings of the disability sector in the US.
We've visited the Old West town of Wickenburg, toured the Senate and Arizona's old Capitol building, met with Arizona's Governor, Jan Brewer, and presented to four Arizona Rotary Clubs.
Vocational visits have included the Disability Resource Center at Arizona State University, Arizona Bridge to Independent Living, Wings of Grace (riding program for people with disabilities) and the AmeriServe day programme in Wickenburg.
The food and the hospitality here has been second to none and we are having lots of fun scaring the locals with Vegemite tastings!
We've christened our transport vehicle 'The Party Bus' and given several of our host family members uniquely Australian names including: "Gazza", "Rando" and "Dono".
A busy but very exciting time is being had by all.
Jenny
Monday, April 27, 2009
We're finally here!
G'day,
A quick blog from Gary and Jan's house in Phoenix Arizona to say that we're here and we're all settling in well. We went to 'A Night in the Tanks' last night and celebrated Ainslie's birthday for the second time. (I think her second birthday was a bit more exciting than her first which mostly involved sitting bolt upright feeling like a sardine in economy class!!!)
Our transport vehicle has now been christened 'The Party Bus' and the Team is determined to make every minute of the GSE fun and lively.
My highlights so far have been seeing the lights of Phoenix from the mountains, meeting lots of great Arizonans and riding in Jan's red convertible which we now refer to as The Leadermobile (because the Team Leader gets to ride in it ;))
Off to an Arizona Diamondbacks game shortly with Ainslie, Andrew and some local Rotarians. Denise is off to a local Rotary fundraiser which involves drinking tequilla?! Can't wait to chomp into my second All-American hot dog at the ball game.
See y'all soon.
Jenny
A quick blog from Gary and Jan's house in Phoenix Arizona to say that we're here and we're all settling in well. We went to 'A Night in the Tanks' last night and celebrated Ainslie's birthday for the second time. (I think her second birthday was a bit more exciting than her first which mostly involved sitting bolt upright feeling like a sardine in economy class!!!)
Our transport vehicle has now been christened 'The Party Bus' and the Team is determined to make every minute of the GSE fun and lively.
My highlights so far have been seeing the lights of Phoenix from the mountains, meeting lots of great Arizonans and riding in Jan's red convertible which we now refer to as The Leadermobile (because the Team Leader gets to ride in it ;))
Off to an Arizona Diamondbacks game shortly with Ainslie, Andrew and some local Rotarians. Denise is off to a local Rotary fundraiser which involves drinking tequilla?! Can't wait to chomp into my second All-American hot dog at the ball game.
See y'all soon.
Jenny
Monday, April 20, 2009
G'day... or should I say "Howdy" all !
It's only 5 sleeps till we head "up over" to Arizona, and believe me the excitement is building :-)
I should probably follow my fellow team mates in telling a little about myself.
I'm 34, live in Newtown (in the inner-west of Sydney) and work for Northcott Disability Services as a Community Worker. The team I work on is called the Adult Outreach Team and has 3 Occupational Therapists (who deal with physical stuff like wheelchairs, and ramps) and 3 Community Workers ( who deal with all the other stuff that adults with physical disabilities may need help with such as dealing with government departments, and setting goals for their life !)
I really enjoy the work I do, and the team of people that I work with. Therefore I am greatly looking forward to checking out the disability services in Arizona through the vocational visits that are a part of the group study exchange when we are visiting Arizona :-)
My hometown is Bathurst, which is about 3 hours away from Sydney (its a university city, and famous for an annual car race around Mount Panorama... which is kind of awesome!) and my mum and dad, sister and her family all still live there. It works out well, and my place is a good place for them all to stay when they need to come to "the big smoke" (Sydney) and I have a place to go when I get sick and tired of the big smoke !
Anyway, enough of me rabbiting on. Arizona... here we come... Yay :-)
Andrew
It's only 5 sleeps till we head "up over" to Arizona, and believe me the excitement is building :-)
I should probably follow my fellow team mates in telling a little about myself.
I'm 34, live in Newtown (in the inner-west of Sydney) and work for Northcott Disability Services as a Community Worker. The team I work on is called the Adult Outreach Team and has 3 Occupational Therapists (who deal with physical stuff like wheelchairs, and ramps) and 3 Community Workers ( who deal with all the other stuff that adults with physical disabilities may need help with such as dealing with government departments, and setting goals for their life !)
I really enjoy the work I do, and the team of people that I work with. Therefore I am greatly looking forward to checking out the disability services in Arizona through the vocational visits that are a part of the group study exchange when we are visiting Arizona :-)
My hometown is Bathurst, which is about 3 hours away from Sydney (its a university city, and famous for an annual car race around Mount Panorama... which is kind of awesome!) and my mum and dad, sister and her family all still live there. It works out well, and my place is a good place for them all to stay when they need to come to "the big smoke" (Sydney) and I have a place to go when I get sick and tired of the big smoke !
Anyway, enough of me rabbiting on. Arizona... here we come... Yay :-)
Andrew
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Hi from Denise
Hello Everyone,
My name is Denise Beckwith. I am 31 years old.
Where do I start? I am not into technology, blogging is totally foreign to me.
I work in the disability rights sector and have done for seven years. I really enjoy my job, as it is different every day.
I am a Paralympian swimmer, having represented Australia in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. The highlight of my swimming career was winning a bronze medal, as a member of the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay.
I have just commenced studying social work, through Charles Sturt University part time, via distance education.
For pleasure, I swim four times a week (old habits die hard). I love going to the movies, to the theatre, reading, supporting the Sydney Swans and travelling.
I am really happy to be a member the Wheelchair GSE Team for Australia. I am really looking forward to the adventure.
Denise
My name is Denise Beckwith. I am 31 years old.
Where do I start? I am not into technology, blogging is totally foreign to me.
I work in the disability rights sector and have done for seven years. I really enjoy my job, as it is different every day.
I am a Paralympian swimmer, having represented Australia in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. The highlight of my swimming career was winning a bronze medal, as a member of the 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay.
I have just commenced studying social work, through Charles Sturt University part time, via distance education.
For pleasure, I swim four times a week (old habits die hard). I love going to the movies, to the theatre, reading, supporting the Sydney Swans and travelling.
I am really happy to be a member the Wheelchair GSE Team for Australia. I am really looking forward to the adventure.
Denise
Thursday, April 9, 2009
G'day from the Central Coast
Hi All,
Yes we are getting close to take off now - only two weeks.
I am the sole representative from the the Central Coast area of Rotary District 9680. The Central Coast is about an hour north of Sydney and is known for it's beautiful beach areas as well as its mountain/ rural areas. I live on one hectare in the rural valley area of Lisarow.
I am not a Rotary member but am being sponsored by the Gosford North Rotary Club. Thanks guys!
I work at Gosford City Council as the Disability Services Officer and my role is mainly to advise and liaise with Council staff about disability related issues to ensure all our services and facilities are accessible to the whole community. You can see more about Gosford City Council at www.gosford.nsw.gov.au.
During the Group Study Exchange I hope to learn about how local governments and other government agencies ensure their facilities, services and infrastructure are accessible to all people and hopefully bring back and exchange some examples of best practice in this area.
Outside of work I love reading, music, seeing my family and watching sport especially Australian Football. Go Sydney Swans!
As Jenny wrote I have been the gift buyer and brochure printer for the team and my work there is almost done. Now I just have to put the finishing touches on my part of the presentation and pack my bags.
See you soon
Ainslie
Yes we are getting close to take off now - only two weeks.
I am the sole representative from the the Central Coast area of Rotary District 9680. The Central Coast is about an hour north of Sydney and is known for it's beautiful beach areas as well as its mountain/ rural areas. I live on one hectare in the rural valley area of Lisarow.
I am not a Rotary member but am being sponsored by the Gosford North Rotary Club. Thanks guys!
I work at Gosford City Council as the Disability Services Officer and my role is mainly to advise and liaise with Council staff about disability related issues to ensure all our services and facilities are accessible to the whole community. You can see more about Gosford City Council at www.gosford.nsw.gov.au.
During the Group Study Exchange I hope to learn about how local governments and other government agencies ensure their facilities, services and infrastructure are accessible to all people and hopefully bring back and exchange some examples of best practice in this area.
Outside of work I love reading, music, seeing my family and watching sport especially Australian Football. Go Sydney Swans!
As Jenny wrote I have been the gift buyer and brochure printer for the team and my work there is almost done. Now I just have to put the finishing touches on my part of the presentation and pack my bags.
See you soon
Ainslie
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Taking the Plunge
Hi (or in this case I guess I should say 'G'day'),
As Leader of the 2009 Australian (District 9680) Rotary Wheelchair GSE Team to Arizona (District 5490) I have the onerous task of writing the Team's first blog post!
We're about three weeks away from take off and our preparations are going well. Ainslie has been working hard organising gifts and getting our Team brochure printed, Denise is our resident style (i.e. uniform) guru and chief financier and Andrew is our team counsellor/techie (or should that be Trekkie?). He also came up with the groovy name for the blog : )
We hope that you'll follow our journey to the US via this blog and also through Twitter at http://twitter.com/wheelchairgse.
I'm a member of the Crows Nest Rotary Club and I own my own communications consultancy called handykapp. When I'm not teaching computer classes or writing magazine articles I'm studying for a Master of Education (Adult Education) at the University of Technology, Sydney.
I enjoy reading, cooking, watching films and DVDs and spending time with friends. I also like art, history, music and languages.
I'm hoping that the GSE will help me to get a better understanding of how Adult and Community Education operates in the US. It will also be fascinating to finally visit a country that I see so much of on TV!
Now I'll hand it over to Ainslie, Andrew and Denise to introduce themselves...
Jenny
As Leader of the 2009 Australian (District 9680) Rotary Wheelchair GSE Team to Arizona (District 5490) I have the onerous task of writing the Team's first blog post!
We're about three weeks away from take off and our preparations are going well. Ainslie has been working hard organising gifts and getting our Team brochure printed, Denise is our resident style (i.e. uniform) guru and chief financier and Andrew is our team counsellor/techie (or should that be Trekkie?). He also came up with the groovy name for the blog : )
We hope that you'll follow our journey to the US via this blog and also through Twitter at http://twitter.com/wheelchairgse.
I'm a member of the Crows Nest Rotary Club and I own my own communications consultancy called handykapp. When I'm not teaching computer classes or writing magazine articles I'm studying for a Master of Education (Adult Education) at the University of Technology, Sydney.
I enjoy reading, cooking, watching films and DVDs and spending time with friends. I also like art, history, music and languages.
I'm hoping that the GSE will help me to get a better understanding of how Adult and Community Education operates in the US. It will also be fascinating to finally visit a country that I see so much of on TV!
Now I'll hand it over to Ainslie, Andrew and Denise to introduce themselves...
Jenny
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