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The focus for the international committee has been the long term Youth Exchange Program. Hosted student Thais Moreira arrived in January 2003, from Brazil. Thais has settled in very well and the club's thanks must be extended to her counsellors Paul & Bev Skapin who met her in Adelaide and were responsible for her initial acclimatising period, including introducing Thais to the club, her school Port Augusta Secondary and checking the insurances, banking etc. Thanks are also extended to her hosting families for this year Paul & Bev, John & Margaret Moss, Graham & Gail Bull, Tony & Penny Kelly and John & Louise Clements. One of the highlights for Thais so far has been the Rock & Reef tour to the Northern Territory and Eastern States in the company of the other hosted exchange students from our district.
In February we conducted interviews for an outgoing exchange student for 2004. We had 2 excellent applicants both from Port Augusta Secondary School, the successful applicant was Tyson Shine. Tyson was subsequently successful at the district interviews in Adelaide and will be going to the Netherlands in January 2004. The interview panel consisting of Mark Thomas, Louise Clements and Sean Holden are to be thanked for the professional way they conducted the interview process. Thanks are also extended to Louise who is Tyson's counsellor.
The nature of the Youth Exchange Program means that to send Tyson away, the club is committed to hosting an incoming student in 2204. We will be looking for host families early in the new Rotary year.
The proposed friendship exchange visit in May by a group of Indian Rotarians was postponed due to the SARS outbreak. There was no difficulty in getting club members to offer hosting for the group, hopefully the visit will be rescheduled for 2004.
The 4th March saw the annual FAIM BBQ at John & Marilyn Marsh's. This proved another popular and successful evening both socially & financially.
Thanks are extended to all members of the International Committee for their assistance during the year.
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