A team leader comment at last

At long last, I have managed to log on and post an entry on our team blog.
The whole GSE has been a wonderful experience for our team and, from the feedback, for our hosts as well. All of our members have come together as a team, are working well together and are looking out for each other. No health problems so far. They are great ambassadors for Australia and for Rotary and constantly receive praise for their presentations and positive interaction with our new North Carolinan friends. Each of the team has used their unique personalities to forge friendships wherever we go. I am very proud of them all.
The welcome, hospitality and friendship everywhere we go is outstanding. Each of us has learned so much about the history, culture, economy and government of North Carolina as well as of the USA in general. We have each had unique vocational experiences which will no doubt benefit our future career pathways. I know the interaction has been mutually beneficial - evidence of achievement of The Rotary Foundation's goals for Group Study Exchange. District 7690 is a pilot district for TRF's Future Vision and I know many of my fellow Rotarians share concerns for the future model of this currently very successful educational Rotary program.
The pace of the GSE has been great (far better than I expected) and the organisation by Cookie, Mitzi and the Area Coordinators exceptional. We even have the luxury of PDG David McCoy running around the District ahead of us setting up our Australiana slide show and Powerpoint presentation at meetings ready for when we arrive! We have given five formal presentations so far and numerous informal ones to clubs and groups. DG Mike Conrad has found the time to get to many and hasn't fall asleep yet - it can't be too bad. The bids are coming in for our memorabilia items and the Two-up game has been a been a lot of fun to finish the presentation with.
The highlight so far for the team would have to be the Triad Flight of Honor to Washington yesterday with the 100 WWII veterans. What a day for them and for us! Our Aussie Slouch Hat Pins were a huge success and stimulated television and newspaper coverage of the whole Rotary GSE team involvement as guardians for the vets. The public interest and recognition of the contribution by these veterans was outstanding. I'm sure others will get to share in this through the WXII Triad Flight of Honor website. A truly wonderful gesture and we felt so honoured to be part of it.
As we travel the district, we are generating a lot of interest in forging closer links between our Rotary districts and I'm sure we can expect many visitors to our part of downunder in the future. I certainly hope so.