5 Nov 2011 : The Arrival

Reported by Janet Floyd, Tallangatta Secondary College

After a long journey starting at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah the excited group arrived at Tullamarine airport in Melbourne at 1.00 am. They were welcomed at the airport by Con Madden, Assistant Principal at Tallangatta Secondary College and Chris Madden, a leading teacher at TSC. After clearing customs, they boarded the bus for the short trip to hotel Miami in Melbourne for a short sleep.

Following a cool start in Melbourne, the group again boarded the bus to head up the Hume Highway towards Tallangatta. On reaching Wangaratta, the bus diverted from the main road travel through the historic town of Beechworth, past Yackandandah and around the shores of Lake Hume to arrive at Tallangatta just after 1.00 pm. This journey was accompanied by an informative commentary from Con, explaining such important features as the different kind of farming, the history of key towns and the story of Ned Kelly.

On arrival the students, were welcomed by their excited host families. Introductions were quickly made and the students were soon talking to their Australian families and having a look around the school.

TSC principal, Mr Alby Freijah, welcomed the students and outlined the background of the program leading up to this visit. He also explained the importance of the program in building relationships and cultural understanding for all of the students and teachers involved. Alby also thanked the host families for welcoming the students into their homes.

We were also fortunate to have the Mayor of the Shire of Towong present for the welcome, demonstrating the support of the local community for the school and the Sister school relationship.

Following the welcome, all present enjoyed a barbecue lunch provided by the TSC hospitality students led by Ms. Dannielle Venaskie.

Families gradually departed to their homes, scattered around the area including Tallangatta, Kiewa, Tangambalanga, Ebden, Eskdale, Tallangatta Valley, Dederang and Mitta Mitta - a challenge for many to locate on their maps before departing from Penampang.

So the adventure of experiencing life in rural Australia has begun!