12-12-2006
Barry Thompson (right) thanks Nicholas Hills for his presentation
Nicholas' Presentation
- Thanks for the invitation to speak.
- Nicholas was a PACE student 10 years ago in American Samoa.
- Subsequently became an exchange student. When his mother asked him not to pick South Africa, it became his number one pick.
- In South Africa, he went to an Afrikaans High School, raced ostriches, and went to the Kruger National Park where he put his hand in the mouth of an elephant.
- Nicholas travelled all around South Africa (a place where extreme wealth and extreme poverty existed side-by-side), and also went to Mozambique (where there were lots of land mines and even more poverty) and Swaziland.
- He visited squatters camps to speak to the people, swapping stories with them about families.
- Nicholas also visited Soweto township. At one residence, he was struck by the odd juxtaposition of a baby with a handgun.
- He visited the local primary school, and saw their library - a cupboard with a few books. Nicholas told his sponsoring club, Parramatta Daybreak, and they sent $200 which, with a good exchange rate, made for a big difference to the school.
- Nicholas is astounded at the progress Rotary is making in the big things, such as PolioPlus, but has found that it's not just the big things that count - it's important to be doing something, whatever the size.
- After returning from South Africa, Nicholas studied journalism and law. His choice of studies was inspired by what Rotary can do globally, and he wants to be a part of it. He firmly believes in the fundamental principle of using your vocation to do whatever you can. Nicholas quoted Nelson Mandela: "For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." After concluding his studies, Nicholas started practicing as a solicitor.
- After interning at the International Court at the Hague for six months, Nicholas wants to spend a further 18 months in the Netherlands studying for his Masters. Although he picked up some facility with the Dutch language while in South Africa, it is not up to the demands of studying, so he is glad that the courses in which he is interested are offered in parallel in English and Dutch.
Last changed: 03:18:28 04-10-2008