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Incoming Hobart, Tasmania Exchange -
September 19-26, 2000

Co-Exchange Directors - Chuck Godwin & Mary Bryant

Six of us rode the chartered bus to Iowa's capital city to greet the 18 Australians who had been hosted for a week in the San Francisco area and then in Des Moines. This gave us an opportunity to renew acquaintances with the nine Tasmanians who had hosted or day hosted members of Lincoln's 1997 exchange Down Under.

All in all, it was a wonderful week! The favorite activities as stated by the Aussies were lunch at the Governor's Mansion - the group was thrilled by the fact that this was possible and the Governor¹s wife, Stephanie, delighted them; the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Ladies' Hat Luncheon.

In listening to their enthusiastic comments about their hosts, all were well matched. Our guests, the Hobart club president, Dale Monro and his wife, Suzie, stated that the warmth and friendliness of the Nebraska people was overwhelming! He particularly liked the fact that Lincoln was comparable in size to Hobart, Tasmania with much less traffic than they had experienced on the San Francisco exchange where it took at least 50 minutes to get anywhere. Most day trips with hosts meant 8 hours in the car; the slower pace of the city of Lincoln really appealed to them. They were pleased to find out that Nebraska was not as flat as they imagined when they experienced the rolling hills we traveled as we passed through a number of small towns on our outing to the Homestead Monument in Beatrice. One mentioned that what intrigued him at the State Capitol was the wonderful symbolism of all of the mosaics as explained by our guide, Robert and Hedy Wright's son. Several ambassadors stated that it was certainly the best of the three host cities of this exchange and some even went so far as to say it was the best exchange they have ever experienced. Several ambassadors indicated that the week in Lincoln far exceeded their expectations. We owe a great deal of thanks to each of our host families: the Jim & Cay Ecklund, Pat King, Marie Knickrehm, the Luethjes, Helen Lyles, the Terrells, the Myers, Marilyn Paolini, the Scotts, the Surkans, Grace Varney, and Jeanne Zwiebel. Day hosts proved a great addition and involved: Susan Madsen, June Simpson, Kaye Schafer, Barb & Allen Boettcher, Mary Werner & daughters.

Chuck led the men's day out while the women's luncheon was orchestrated by Barb Boettcher and her assistants: Louise Terrell, Lois Parrott, Marcia Moreland, Sue Young and Beverly Palmer plus Jane Lawsen. Jane accompanied Norman Case from Denver, Colorado to tri-host, along with the Terrells and Helen Lyles, Ann Druett who had hosted Norman and Helen in Tasmania in 1997. Thanks to Myra Meints who graciously allowed us to use her lovely home for the luncheon - both her home and the food were magnificent! To top it all off was the wonderful hat and accessory show by Bonnie Armstrong. She selected just the right hat for many of the ladies attending the luncheon who enthusiastically modeled her creations. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect afternoon - delicious food, congenial participants, gracious hostess, delightful weather and Bonnie, the marvelously entertaining èmad about hatsî Lincolnite.

Favorite non-group activities shared with their hosts or day hosts included: shopping, Girls' and Boys' Town, Homestead Monument and drives around the countryside through a number of small Nebraska towns, Scarlet and Gold Dancers and Singers of UNL at the Germanfest in Syracuse, walking in De Soto Wildlife Refuge, Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, SAC Museum, attending Husker football game and Elephant Hall, several ambassadors mentioned time spent with hosts' family.

Thanks also to the small group dinner hosts: the Loyde Adams; Eva Bass; the Morelands, Eggers, Kunkels, Hydes, Boettchers, Jan Lingren and Agnes Adams. Comments from the Australians included: excellent - a marvelous cook!, fantastic, excellent, lovely people, an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with members other than hosts, could not be better - terrific hosts & wonderful stories by host - could have easily spent hours listening, an Al dinner, very relaxed/casual with stimulating conversation, excellent - got to share with people individually and to visit another home and meet new people.

"Hats off" to the cooperation of my co-host, Chuck Godwin and the work of the members of the planning committee: Jeanne Zwiebel, Grace Varney, Myra Meints and Helen Lyles plus the help on several activities of an unofficial member, Louise Terrell.
 It's difficult to say exactly what makes an exchange great - a good match of people and personalities, interesting and varied itinerary, exchange organization, congenial helping hands, a host city that fits our ambassadors' needs. Whatever it is, it seemed to work for one week in Lincoln, Nebraska for 18 Australians and their hosts. Several ambassadors mentioned that they were asked by others "Why would you want to go to Nebraska?" One replied, "Because that's where our friends are." To me that says it all!

It appeared that the goodbyes were more prolonged and poignant than usual. Host families lingered after the bus departed for Omaha; we relived some of the weeks memories and wanted to hold on to the specialness of the experience just a little longer.