A post by Larry Horton

Last night at the Grafton Rotary meeting, there was a question and answer section following our presentation. One of the members asked me about the differences I've noticed so far between police work in Arizona and the US and here in Australia. I thought that would be a great thing for folks back home to hear as well.

Let me preface this first by saying our team did an amazing job presenting last night. We have been presenting well since we arrived but last night we had the freedom of time and it made all the difference. Tempe Rio Salado that sponsored me here is a breakfast club and there is also the Grafton Midday club here and both try to keep their meetings to an hour or so. Tonight was the first real supper club that we have attended and the meeting was around two to two and a half hours. We were given the luxury of having plenty of time to present which resulted in us engaging our audience better than I have seen in previous presentations. Many people approached me after the meeting and told me how impressed and entertained they were by what we had to say. And in the question and answer section at the end I could help but be filled with a little pride when Kristen was thrown a curve ball about volcanic geography around Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon area by someone who was a geographer and she handled it with the poise and professionalism of a seasoned presenting veteran. And on top of that, I learned a little about the San Francisco Peaks myself. It was one of those moments where you knew you had selected the right person for the job.

But on to police work. Guns. They don't have them here. It's obvious to me now how much guns dictate every move we make as police in Arizona and how guns -- or the lack there of -- dictate a totally different philosophy here in Australia. This was never more evident than when I was riding along with Michael Froggert of the Queensland Police last Saturday night. You'll see a photo I posted of him and his crew previously. As we were in Michael's police car we began to conduct a vehicle stop. This was another major difference. Here in Australia, a police officer does not have to have probable cause to pull a car over. They can without any reason deiced to pull a car over. It could be totally random or it could be because of a minor suspicion. That changes the whole game. On top of that, Michael had a portable breath tester to determine breath alcohol content which would contribute to a DUI investigation. It was a small device that fit in his hand. Here, police can administer that breath test without any cause or reason. There is no need to see signs of intoxication. And, if there is an alcohol reading (.05 or higher) then the portable test at the stop counts against the driver in the investigation which is something not admissible in Arizona courts.

The major difference though is the way police here deal with people under the supposition they are not armed. In Phoenix, I was trained very specifically that anytime I'm approaching a car or contacting someone, they could be carrying a concealed gun. So I should approach vehicles tactically and where needed conduct what is called a Terry pat down of people who I think could possibly have guns to hurt me. Not here in Australia. Michael was as tactical as the next officer with 11 years on. That was not at issue. He just didn't have to worry about people having guns so he could approach a car "straight away" and go to work. It was a type of freedom I was a bit envious of. Michael clarified that with motorcycle gangs and certain other types, he always acts as if they are armed but for the general public it's just not the same issue. Immediately the thoughts flew through my mind about how our Arizona laws are pertaining to guns and obtaining guns and how they starkly contrast to here in Australia and the end result.

And for those of you interested in the lingo there were differences there as well. The trunk of a car is called a boot. I go on radio calls as a police officer, they go on jobs. What we call a prison, they call a jail and what we call a jail, they call a watch house. Our police officers are called constables here in Australia. I work the streets they go "on the beat". I could go on.

In the end, I have only been on a few vocational exchanges here yet I have learned a tremendous amount. I learned not only about police work from another country's perspective but also about the country in and of itself. We're not even half way through and I'm so excited about the potential of what else I can learn. I cannot thank Rotary and the Foundation enough for this opportunity.

A quick post from Kristen as we're taking a rest day for ourselves this afternoon - what an amazing journey we're on! Since the moment we arrived, Rotarians around the district have shown us incredible hospitality time and time again.

Australians have a reputation for being warm-hearted, funny. a bit off-color with their jokes, generous, with hearty livers to handle the beer. Everything I've seen so far confirms this reputation. The Rotarians, especially, have striven to make this experience quite memorable for us! We've all heard the stories of the wonders of the Rotary network, and we've witnessed it in action here: one local Rotary member owns a private plane. Another runs a number of theme parks. Still others work for the police department, with local schools, with the city council, providing avenues for fulfilling vocational visits.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Rotary network for this trip - although the Rotary Foundation covers the major costs of our trip, it's the day-to-day experiences that are provided by our host clubs and families. We've been welcomed with joy and open arms everywhere we've gone, and that - perhaps - is one of the biggest lessons of this trip: how to graciously accept hospitality. All of the team members have compared notes on the difficulty of getting our host families to let us load the dishwasher or clear the table, but on a larger scale, it's a new experience to let ourselves be treated with such wonder and courtesy.

This evening, we gather to bid farewell to our second set of host families and hosting Rotary club, and move on to a whole new set of experiences - and it's only been a week!! Stay tuned...

This is Larry. Just a quick post because it's close to 1:30 AM here and I need to get up in the morning but I'm too excited. I just got the opportunity to ride along with a constable from the Queensland Police and patrol Surfer's Paradise. Micheal (or Froggy as he goes by) was an amazing guide through coastal night life. Froggy, thanks so much for the laughs and the fun. I learned so much tonight. Take care and be safe.

WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!

First Stop...Murwillumbah Central

G'Day Mates

It is amazing how quickly time passes when you are learning and having fun...and when your schedule is booked solid!  We haven't had a free moment since touching down in this land of wonder just days ago (and we apologize for not posting sooner).


The journey began on March 5th.  We arrived at the airport excited and ready to begin.  Our sendoff was brief, as the time had come to begin this adventure.  Some of us packed lighter than others!





Airport Travels

 

Dan making a Rotary Donation at the Airport
Larry & Jenn Playing

Our arrival came after 30 hours of travel when we were greeted at the airport with a huge G'Day!!  Australians sure know how to treat people!  We have felt nothing but welcomed and at home since we landed.  We enjoyed a fantastic lunch and hotel stay our first day/night.  We were treated quite well!







Flags from GSE Welcome Dinner
First Australian Money
View from our Hotel



 

Once we had a short settling in, we started running.  We began with an eventful tour of the Wildlife Sanctuary, where birds got close and Kristen got an inside look of the animal hospital.  Our Rotary guides were great!!  We continued our first day with a visit to Kingscliff TAFE, allowing us to learn more about education here in Australia.  We finally got to meet our first host families and we loved them from the beginning!  After our initial meeting, we made a quick change to prepare for our evening.  The GSE Welcome Dinner was well-attended with over 100 guests.  We each had the opportunity to meet new people and to present for the first time.  Things went well and we shared many laughs and lots of information.

The next day (Wednesday, 3/9) allowed us our first vocational visits.  We each learned more about our individual areas and have much to share with those back home!  After our visits, we had a yummy lunch at the Tweed River Art Gallery as well as a quick tour.  We could have spent a great deal of time there.





Water Treatment Process
Cone Factory...abiding by health codes

  Water Treatment is quite an intensive process as we learned in the afternoon.  Most of us were quite surprised by what exactly goes into the clean water that blesses our lives.  In a separate visit to Scandanavian Cone Factory, we learned about the process of making ice cream cones.  The process is also intense, but led to some delicious cones that we enjoyed at our Farewell BBQ.

In the evening, we each returned to our host families for some "family" time.  We each experienced different things, including a walk on the beach or a koala in a nearby tree.  The surprises of the Australian beauty just keep comin.





Welcome Dinner Sign, A Trip to the Beach, Home Sweet Home

 

Today we had two interesting visits which again allowed us to learn more, while also having just a really great time!  We first went to the Madura Tea Estate where we learned the process of making tea.  Tropical Fruit World was second, and included quite the tour around the grounds.  We experienced many means of transportation, and finished by tasting tropical fruits that we had never even seen before!  We then enjoyed another great meal before heading off for the afternoon.




Tropical Fruit World

 

Our time in the Murwillumbah area passed entirely too quickly and we will dearly miss our new "families" that we will leave behind.  Tonight was truly a blessing as we participated in our Farewell BBQ.  While the food was wonderful, the company is what really made the night!  We enjoyed good conversation, ice cream, and a little singing.  It was a night that we will never forget!! 

Farewell BBQ complete with singing, ice cream, and lots of laughs
Thank you, Hallworths!

The adventure is off to a most amazing start and we continue to pinch ourselves to make sure that this whole experience really is happening.  We are so very thankful to all of those that made this week possible and to those that put up with us everyday!  Listening to some of us practice our accents or ask a million questions can be a lot to handle, and we truly thank each of you that made us feel so very, very welcome!  You are all now mates!!!

Richard & Jenn, The Beach





No Turning Back

  


Hand Sanitizer is Good!

It is a rare Arizona rainy night.  The smell, the beauty, the simplicity of the evening rings in the end of another normal day.  However, today was anything but normal.  Today was our last training session, our last moments to prepare for what lies ahead.  In six very short days we will begin a very unique adventure, an opportunity to truly make incredible memories, and to create connections with our new "family" across the water.  To top off the day, three of us were sick.  Today reminded us of the need to be flexible and ready for anything.  Hand sanitizer is vital, at least according to Kristen.   

 

Dan...A Moment to Relax


We began our last session with relaxed conversation (see Dan) and quickly moved into the to do lists in front of us for the week.  We were joined by Bryon and Levi, who provided  additional direction for our presentation and the expectations before us.  We were also reminded that it is "go time."  

Rod also joined us from Chandler North to share specific information about club procedures and projects.  He shared wonderful information and provided additional suggestions for our presentation.  Rod, thank you for joining us!  



Rod-Chandler North



As always, we ended our time together with moments of intense laughter inspired by quirky conversation about the most random things.

 

Time is a precious gift that always seems to pass quite quickly when you aren't looking. It is amazing to look back at the preparations of the last few months and to be reminded that we were once strangers. Now these strangers are about to take to the skies. Just as the last few months have passed in a blink, the month ahead will probably do the same. We hope to savor every last moment of the experience.



Levi, Larry, Bryon

 



We are so very thankful to everyone that has provided support, guidance, and a laugh or two.  Let the journey begin!



Here We Come!



The Countdown

20 Days, 17 hours, 14 Minutes, 13 Seconds...or so the app tells us.  Phones with all the gadgets are such a fun, yet crazy thing.  Technology truly has changed the world, and allows us to connect in ways never before possible.  For the record, we also know what time it is in Brisbane thanks to this little device!

This has been a big week for our group!  We received the final schedule for our adventure and started to feel the reality of what is ahead.  Some of us have already created packing lists, while others purchased uniforms just in time for today's pictures.  The planners versus the procrastinators is on!  In 20 days, we will all discover if we remembered to pack the toothbrush.

At 10:00ish this morning we met to venture out for picture day.  Makeup done, matching outfits on, and smiles ready to go, we stopped at a local nature center.  After some bargaining, we were allowed to take pictures in the beautiful surroundings of Arizona.  Per our usual interactions, laughter was in full bloom.  Though we are each very professional, we can't help but laugh most of the time when we are together.  Our hope is that the laughter will pull us through some long flight days, and early mornings.

After we finished the picture taking, we moved on to a yummy lunch at Monti's.  We were joined by two GSE alumns, Levi and Kelly.  They shared stories of their travels, the people they met, packing advice, and the possibilities of a wonderful adventure.  Hearing them speak allowed us to become more grounded in what is just a mere 20 days away!  The excitement is palpable.

We finished up lunch and practiced our presentations.  After advice from the audience, we realized we still need some fine tuning.  And fine tune we will!!  The show will be ready to go when the curtain goes up!!

Training Continues

We have a lot to learn!

Our training is in full swing as we get to know each other better and get to know more about our upcoming adventure.  The four of us are somewhat like wild horses, barely able to contain our excitement for every little thing.  Dan definitely has to reign us in on many occasions.

We spend our time learning more about all aspects of Rotary and our specific role in this adventure.  Time is also allotted to planning for our presentations and to learning more about Australia.  Saturday we had the opportunity to join Kristen in her beautiful Arizona town of Flagstaff for training.  The two and a half hour road trip allowed the rest of us to get to know each other a little better, including tastes in music and driving abilities.  It was interesting!!

Coz and the Crew

Once we arrived in Flagstaff, we went to the Second Chance Center for Animals (where Kristen works).  We were joined first by Coz, a wonderful woman from Australia.  She shared very valuable information about the country, as well as some delicious biscuits or bikkies!!  The information was quite helpful as we alleviated some of our concerns about the creatures we may encounter and other myths.  As we continued to discuss a variety of topics, we all seemed to take a collective breath in attempts to hold back our excitement.

Eric and the GSE Team

Next Eric, a past Flagstaff Club President, joined us to share details about his club.  We learned about Rotary as a whole, many service projects, and specifics that pertain to the Flagstaff Club.  He gave us even greater insight into the value of Rotary through his well-prepared presentation.

Each time our team gets together we become more like family, sharing our ideas and growing together through this experience.   Though it is early in the process, we seem to comfortably work together.

We look forward to our continuous learning and to sharing many more stories!  Stay tuned...