Fast Approaching

It is amazing how fast the time has gone since arriving back in Halls Gap. It is hard to believe that we are down to our last three weeks here. Today was the start of Aiden's last week of school... his last Monday morning assembly. Every Monday the students, teachers and a number of parents gather by the flag pole at the start of the day. The flag is raised and the national anthem 'Advance Australia Fair' is sang. As long as there are others singing, Aiden and I can comfortably sing or at least hum all of it. Assembly is great, the students have a chance to share news from the weekend and announcements for the week are made. It is a nice way to start a Monday.


This past weekend began mid-week last week, when we arrived in Melbourne. Sean had a Canadian exchangee meetings to attend on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, a debrief-day, when all the PV/PC exchangees discussed the two years and how it had all gone. Thursday night Parks Victoria hosted a celebratory dinner for both PC and PV exchangees. It was a wonderful evening of fine dinning and a great opportunity to visit. And it was sad saying good-bye to all the faces that we have come to consider familiar here in our home away from home. The Aussies are now 6 months home and back into the swing of their lives; it was interesting to hear what their challenges were. A new set of Aussies have been chosen for the next rotation. Parks Victoria has been a very gracious host and has made us all feel very welcome. As a family member it was nice to be included in the things that PV organized. They were even generous enough to give Aiden and I a farewell gift. All the PC exchangees, along with Aiden and I received Akubra hats. They are a true blue symbol of Australia.




While in the city, we did as the city-folk did. On Thursday, Aiden and I took a ferry down the Yarra river, out to ScienceWorks, where we spent the day exploring all the great hands-on exhibits. Aiden was the 'star' of the lightening show. As he was the only youngster in the crowd, he was chosen to be the assistant. We also went to the Planetarium. I think I dozed off for a few minutes about midway through the show 'The Problem with Pluto' but Aiden assures me it was quite good. Money well spent, no?

An hour Friday morning was spent at the Queen Victoria market while Sean and the others met the PV board of directors. From there Rhonda, Valerie, Art and us caught a tram down to Albert Park to take in some of the 2009 Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix. Rhonda was able to wrangle us day passes.

The Grand Prix was interesting. It is something we would of never done on our own. It was loud and fast. Even with ear protection, Aiden found it uncomfortable. As we were checking out behind the scenes, we were treated to a show of the Australian Air Force's acrobatic team "The Roulettes", very similar to our snowbirds but propeller driven.