While recently visiting Germany Rotarian Chris Morris and his wife Penny caught up with club exchange students Charlotte Nagel (2018) and Stefan Heller (2004)
Chris and Penny’s first stop was Scheessel to spend four days with Charlotte and her parents Michael and Silke.
Chris and Penny found it an interesting visit because the very weekend they were there the village youth were given a project to complete in 72 hours. Their village project was to construct a walking/cycling path around the town. This included the construction of two bridges across a small stream. All the young people in the village helped over the three days and then put on a BBQ with drinks (German beer of course) on the Sunday evening. Chris and Penny found this to be most interesting and the community spirit generated by the young was fantastic.
To test the path, Michael, Charlotte’s dad, and Chris cycled the three or so kilometre path, complete with directional “arrows” placed on fence posts and trees.
Maybe that’s something the Shire of Baw Baw could encourage our town’s youth to be involved in.
They were also there the day of the voting to elect the European Union Parliament. There were over 45 names on the ballot paper but they only had to put a x beside one person (how good would that be for our Senate elections!!).
Chris and Penny then travelled to Grossefehn to visit 2004 exchange student Stefan and his parents, Wilfried and Susanne. It was great to catch up and learn that Stefan has only 6 months more of training to become an eye specialist.
Thanks Chris for your report.