District 9650 GSE team inbound to District 5370 Canada May – June 2011

1. District 9650 GSE team inbound to District 5370 Canada May – June 2011 Group Study Exchange 2010 – 2011 District 9650 Australia District 5370 Canada

2. Our tour of District 5370 • Camrose • Barrhead • Grand Prairie • Fairview • Grande Cache • Jasper • Drayton Valley • Spruce Grove • White Court • Athabasca (District Conference) • Edmonton

3. Kelvin Walls • Family – married to Patricia, a Manager with NSW TAFE. • I have 2 sons who both work in Newcastle: • Adam (an event manager for Wine Selectors) • Travis (an accountant with Forsythes)

4. My Rotary Involvement • Joined the Gunnedah West Rotary Club in 2004 • Currently the Vocational & Youth Services Director • Incoming Vice President for 2011-12 • Past member of Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Committee

5. Our team

6. Brendan Guiney • Sponsored by Rotary Club of Tuncurry Forster • Family – married to Vanessa, an accountant, with a 3 year old son, Lucas. • I am one of 3 boys, all are engineers!

7. MidCoast Water • I am Executive Manager, Infrastructure Development. • I have a degree in Civil Engineering, a Diploma in Project Management, and an MBA • I am in charge of about AU$35m per annum in water and sewerage capital works projects • We provide water and sewerage services to 70,000 people on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.

8. Hobbies, Sports and Interests • Life member of Tuncurry Forster Football Club (soccer), a Tigers player for 25 years and Club Treasurer for 7 years • I have been a voluntary Surf Life Saver with the Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club for 23 years. • Staying fit – jogging, swimming • Boating on the lake

9. What will I get out of GSE? • My career objective is to use my engineering and management skills to ensure a more sustainable community and environment. • I hope to speak with engineers, water professionals and local government practitioners about consultation and environmental issues • I’m keen to compare programs to provide water and sewerage to disadvantaged communities in Canada and Australia

10. Kylie Emerson • Sponsored by Rotary Club of Inverell • Family – Mum (Julie), dad (Richard), big brother (Brent), sister-in-law (Catherine), nephew (Luke) and Niece (Sophie) • My family now all live in Inverell • My brother and I are both teachers • Enjoy spending time with my friends

11. Macintyre High School • Macintyre High School – Government school, approximately 500 students, high academic achievement and excellence in sport, technology and cultural pursuits • High School Teacher – History, English, Science & Mathematics • Roles - Year Advisor, technology & social committee • Bachelor of Education

12. Hobbies, Sports and Interests • Sports - Inverell Hawket (League Tag), touch football, hockey, indoor sports • Coaching • Outdoor activities – Bush walking, skiing , bike riding and boating • Indoor activities - Theatre, reading, drawing, poetry and singing • Travelling

13. What will I get out of GSE? • I am hoping to see educational programs in action with a focus on technology, higher order thinking and boys education • Curriculum development and programming • Learn more about the culture of Canada and meet lots of new and interesting people

14. Mark Drury • Sponsored by Rotary Club of Taree • Fiancé, JaimeeVlastuin- Environmental Officer, Dept Lands • Parents recently retired from and sold their auto electrical business • House/Farm –27acre hobby farm on the Manning River just outside of Taree.

15. Forests NSW • Forester, Forests New South Wales. • FNSW manages nearly 3 million ha of publically owned multiple use native forests and plantations in NSW • Operations forester –manage harvest roading, fire, Pests and weeds in native forests. Supervise a team of 4 staff • Degree in Environmental science and a post graduate diploma in Forestry

16. Hobbies, Sports and Interests • Love most outdoor activities particularly those involving water. • Enjoy 4wdriving, camping, fishing, sailboarding. • Travelled extensively in Australia particularly northern Territory and North Queensland

17. What will I get out of GSE? • I am keen to work with a forestry agency and learn about native forest management techniques • Learn how Canada manages its public native forests sustainably for the long-term • Live with a rural family and learn about rural life in Canada’s prairie lands

18. Emma Vivers • Sponsored by Armidale North Rotary Club • Two younger brothers • Agribusiness Banker with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia • Interests include travelling, horse sports

19. Commonwealth Bank • I am employed as an Agribusiness Banker with the Commonwealth Bank located in Armidale. • I am an assistant manager for over 120 clients with loans of approximately $60 million • I manage the documentation process and liaise with clients once their loan is funded

20. Hobbies, Sports and Interests • My family own a number of horses and attend many campdrafts during the summer • During winter, I enjoy playing team sports, including hockey

21. What will I get out of GSE? • Vocationally I am looking forward to comparing Canadian agribusiness banking practices to Australian banks • I hope to have the opportunity to discuss current agricultural issues with key players throughout the agricultural supply chain • I looking forward to experience and gain an appreciation for the way of life in regional Alberta

22. Tim Roberts • Sponsored by Rotary Club of Kempsey • Wife Megwyn of 3 years • 6month old son named Griffin • 1 of 4 children • Live in West Kempsey in an old weatherboard home

23. O’Donnell & Hanlon • Employed as an Estimator • Specialize in commercial construction • $1 - $20 million in value • Maintenance contract for 410 Government schools • 2nd generation family owned building company • Degree in Construction Management (Building) • Licenced building contractor

24. Hobbies, Sports and Interests • Rugby Union • Golf • Dwi’ndysgusiaradcymraeg • Going to the beach • Guitar & banjo • Travel • Renovating • Love a good joke

25. What will I get out of GSE? • Observe innovative used of construction methodology & materials including prefabrication & structural systems • Procurement methods used, in particular Government funded projects • Learn how construction companies manage construction in remote locations & challenging environmental conditions • OHS, environmental & training requirements for construction projects

26. Katie Cohen • Sponsored by Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West • Family – engaged to Baz Brien, a graduate psychologist, step mum to Harvey, 10 and Evie, 8. • I am one of 2 girls, my sister Deidrei is 8 years older. • Currently renovating my first home

27. Forests NSW • I am the Forest Information Officer or GIS Analyst. • I have a degree in Spatial Information Systems – Spatial Technology with a minor in programming. • I maintain Forest NSW – Central Regions Geographical Information System (GIS). • Central Region is 240,000 hectares of commercial native forest.

28. Hobbies, Sports and Interests • Love attending live music festivals and sporting events • Active member of Wauchope Social Tennis Club • Most outdoor activities especially walking, body boarding and fishing. • Most of all I love travelling!

29. What will I get out of GSE? • Learn how GIS is being used to improve harvesting, operational and ecology processes in Forestry • Bring back ideas in how LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology is being used in Canada. • Experience Canadian culture and general lifestyle.

30. Follow our trip on the web • http://9650gse.blogspot.com

31. Thank you