Farewell to Poatina

After a hard day's work and a good night's sleep, it was so good to be able to go back to Trinity College and spend some more time at the school, this time when the teachers and students were there! We soon became quite aware of the fact that we tripled the population of the school as soon as we arrived! In the beginning, the excitement of our arrival there was nearly out done by the presence of four 'runaway' cows on the school oval belonging to a neighbouring farmer. However, it wasn't long before everyone was settled and enjoying getting to know each other.  Different school, different climate, different rules! The abundance of mud means it's 'shoes off' before coming into class.....

Living and working in the same small community has it's interesting facets.  For instance, the Principal of the school is also a family friend to all the students, and so it's first name basis all round. Steve (Mr Cooper) made us feel very welcome and had us all working together to create interesting stories. Wagga students collaborating with Poatina students, teenagers with young kids, all enjoying the time together, laughing at the stories being told.

Once again, Ezra had people marvelling at his amazing tricks!

Monday mornings are community morning tea times in Poatina, where many people from the village meet together for a devotion, to share prayer points and give any community announcements. So, after our time at the school, we headed back to the village to meet for morning tea.  This gave us a deeper appreciation of community life in Poatina.  It also gave another opportunity to be a blessing to others. Yesterday in church, we prayed for a family who have four children, three of whom use wheelchairs.  They really want to head to NSW to visit a very sick family member, but they call it their 'impossible dream'. They only have enough money to cover their fares.  Our kids were talking about it before they went to bed last night, and of their own undertaking, decided to pass 'a hat' around the group. So.....after morning tea, our students presented $260 to the Bell Family to help them realise their 'impossible dream'.  How proud were we (the teachers)!!

It was time to say goodbye to Poatina. In a time of reflection this evening, many students said that our visit to Poatina has made a huge impact on them, and has been a real highlight of the trip so far. 

The trip form Poatina to Dodges Ferry (near Hobart) passed through some magnificent countryside, as Mrs Meyer keep reminding us; "Oooh look at that..... Aaagh isn't that beautiful....... What a view.....!". After lunch, we visited Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and 'got up close' to the animals, especially koalas, wombats, Tassie Devils and kangaroos. 

Finishing off the day with Roast Beef and vegetables, chocolate mousse and drinks around the open fire (for those who wanted to 'chill out') and romping around in the games room with pool, air hockey and table tennis.....