I didn’t read a single newspaper last week (I can’t imagine what I was doing!) and so David presented me with a stack of papers to skim read before consignment to the recycling bin. Amongst all the distressing articles, I was pleased to find an upbeat item highlighting that the Rotary Youth Exchange program in Australia celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2008.

2008 also happens to be the 25th anniversary of my own Rotary youth exchange to Washington State. Here’s a photo taken on my day of departure with my sisters Amy and Chantel (Delia was not born until later in 1984):

What a profound and enduring life experience my exchange proved to be, not only for me personally but for my families both in New Zealand and in America. Rotary would like to hear from former exchange students. Contact Stuart McDonald at myrotaryexchange@yahoo.com.au