02-10-2007

Sweden & Russia

The four team members of District 9750's GSE Team to Sweden and Russia - (left to right) Ingrid Boehm, Kendall Newcombe, Ann-Marie Boxall, and Alison Wilson - attended to pass on their experiences as GSE team members in Sweden and Russia. The team leader, John Eades, was unable to attend. Sharon Bond (right) passed on the thanks of the Club for their presentation.

• Kendall Newcombe
  • Works for Centrelink.
  • Applied to be on the GSE team about a year ago.
  • All of the team members work in the health professions.
  • The trip to Sweden and Russia was for 4 weeks.
  • It was amazing to meet with child psychologists and work psychologists.
  • Went on a rescue boat at 40kph.
  • Got to see elk on Sweden's national day.
  • Only had a week in Russia.
  • The language barrier was somewhat overcome by acting out and facial expressions.
• Alison Wilson
  • Hospital wards were like something out of the 1960's.
  • Outcomes in the country were not as good as those in the big city.
  • The top tax rate in Sweden is 56%, so the people expect a lot more in Sweden.
  • Organising for people to come from Sweden to see the ways that things are done in Australia.
  • Had three different host families.
  • Got a lot out of the trip, but didn't bring much back.
  • Russia was very different. Public facilities were 40 years out of date, but there were some private institutions for the rich that were up to date.
  • Came home with very different appreciation of the countries visited, and with an appreciation for the Australian facilities.
• Ann-Marie Boxall
  • Has a welfare focus
  • Wanted to get a real insight into Sweden's health care, as it is often seen as utopian.
  • After the fall of communism in Russia, the gap between worst care and best care is widening.
  • The group was very well looked after with interpreters in Russia.
• Ingrid Boehm
  • Research scientist with the Red Cross Blood service.
  • Thanks to Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation for such a wonderful experience. It was amazing to be welcomed by strangers on the other side of the world and to be shown some of their country and facilities.
  • The group presented at 5 Rotary clubs.
  • There was a lot of interest in aboriginal culture, and the Australian lifestyle and climate.
  • The vocational days were a highlight of the trip.
  • The host families were all very generous.
  • The group was met at the airport at 1am by Russian Rotarians.
  • The Rotary club meeting in Russia very much more formal than in Sweden.

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Last changed: 03:20:51 04-10-2008