Exchange students visit the Peninsula

Rotary exchange students from across the world came to the Peninsula for the Rotary Club of Umina Beach's annual Youth Exchange Weekend between February 22 and 24.

"This year we had 14 youth exchange students drop into Woy Woy for a fun filled weekend," said club publicity officer Mr Geoff Melville.

"It's always a delightful sight, seeing the kids hop off the train at Woy Woy.

"They arrived on the Friday afternoon and from there the Rotarians took them out for a pizza night and for introductions between themselves and their home hosts for the weekend," Mr Melville said.

Rotarians had arranged a full weekend itinerary for the students including a ferry tour of the Brisbane Water, an Australian wildlife encounter, a barefoot bowls session, a surf lifesaving experience with Umina Surf Life Saving Club, a visit to the Ken Duncan Art Gallery and a bush dance.

Mr Melville said Umina Rotarians thoroughly enjoyed the Youth Exchange Weekend.

The club has been hosting the Youth Exchange Weekend for the past 20 years, with the event designed to introduce international youth to Australian culture and the best of what the Central Coast has to offer.

"At its core the weekend has always been about fostering bonds between young people and Rotarians at an international scale and about showcasing the wonderful country we live in," Mr Melville said.

"It's always a great social event with the students getting to make new friends and Rotarians forging lifelong bonds.

"I myself used to be a regular home host and am still in contact with some of my youth exchange students today.

"A good time was had by all involved and we always love getting to introduce the students to the Central Coast," Mr Melville said.

SOURCE:

Interview (Dilon Luke), 6 Mar 2019

Geoff Melville, Rotary Club of Umina Beach