The team which will start the new year by spending six
weeks in India as part of a Rotary Group Study Exchange.
Pictured in Dunedin at the weekend are (from left) team
leader Murray Kennedy, of Cromwell, Gareth Davis, of
Invercargill, Karen Dunlea, of Dunedin, Ryan Luckman, of
Waimate, Anne Gordon, of Oamaru, and Natasha Martin, of
Timaru. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
Being part of a team of two million volunteers immunising
150 million children against polio is just one of the
life-changing experiences on the agenda for a southern team who
will spend six weeks in India next year.
The five members of a Rotary Group Study Exchange to the
state of Gujarat were selected at the weekend, with
candidates from throughout Rotary district 9980, from Temuka
south, vying for places.
Leader Murray Kennedy, of Cromwell, said the calibre of
applicants was exceptionally high.
"All had been through one elimination already and we had 12
candidates to interview and narrow down to five, which was a
real challenge."
The team is: lawyer Gareth Davis (31), of Invercargill,
Taieri College teacher Karen Dunlea (38), of Dunedin, Maheno
School deputy principal Anne Gordon (38), of Oamaru,
veterinary surgeon Ryan Luckman (25), of Waimate, and Timaru
Herald photographer Natasha Martin (35).
Cromwell Rotarian Mr Kennedy (57), the chief operating
officer at VinPro in Cromwell, was chosen a fortnight ago to
lead the team.
The six-week visit begins on January 2 next year and in
return, the southern Rotary district will host a team from
Gujarat in April and May.
People aged from 25-40 who showed leadership qualities and
potential to "make a difference" were eligible to apply for
places in the study exchange team, Mr Kennedy said.
"The exchange is a cultural and vocational experience to gain
a greater understanding and appreciation of the world we live
in.
The team is hosted in Rotarians' homes and get taken to
places and experience the culture and work in ways no tourist
could ever experience."
Team members would visit Indian Rotary clubs to talk about
their life, family and work.
In their first week there, they would speak at a district
conference of 2000 Rotarians.
The service club supported an international campaign aimed at
eradicating polio and the team would take part in a national
polio immunisation day.
One held recently in India involved two million volunteers
immunising more than 150 million children, he said.
Each team member is sponsored by a Rotary club within the
southern district, and their employers had agreed to them
taking six weeks' leave.
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