BATEMANS Bay Rotarians are encouraging the travel bug in the young through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, and the results are already evident.
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Fifteen-year-old Magnus Zarling recently arrived from Denmark for his exchange year on the South Coast.
Staying with Eurobodalla families, Magnus is in Year 10 at Batemans Bay High School.
A love of travel and a desire to learn about Australia inspired Magnus to apply to the program.
The middle of three sons, Magnus recently introduced himself to Batemans Bay Rotary through a slide presentation and informing the Rotarians, in fluent English, about his home country of Denmark, its geography, history and culture.
He says he dreams of becoming a pilot.
Magnus flies with his grandfather and is also a glider pilot.
However, the quiet of the skies gives way to another passion, his love of Formula 1 motor racing.
One of Magnus’s first experiences in Australia was at the Rotary-sponsored Model United Nations Assembly held recently at Old Parliament House in Canberra.
Alongside fellow Batemans Bay students Frances Kerkham and Abbey Francis, Magnus represented the views of South Sudan, the newest nation in the UN, in a debate of global issues.
The team finished fourth, an amazing effort considering the students were competing against teams from around Australia.
Joining Magnus at the Rotary meeting was 14-year-old St Peter’s Anglican College student Taryn McDonald.
Taryn has been selected to travel to Germany in January for her year away from home.
She is the youngest representative from the Batemans Bay Rotary District and after an impressive interview application was quickly offered an exchange.
“Batemans Bay Rotary is delighted to be supporting Taryn as she seeks to learn another language and experience another culture,” Batemans Bay Rotarian Mary Harper said.
Magnus and Taryn will attend Rotary meetings throughout the year as contributors and are looking for ways to serve the community.
“Batemans Bay Rotary is keen to encourage others to follow Taryn,” Ms Harper said.
Rotary will invite interested students to apply early next year for the 2017 program.
“Magnus and Taryn are great examples of how young people are seeking to learn and share with others and this can only be good for international peace and understanding,” Ms Harper said.