Back in May 2011, Carol Forrest, a Christchurch expat married to Rotarian Hugh, had the idea of giving the people of Christchurch NZ a break from the constant shaking of the earthquakes and subsequent trauma suffered by so many. The Rotary Club of Myrtleford approved the idea and Rtn Lindsay Smith asked a subsequent District Rotary Fellowship Exchange (RFE) meeting for support. Not only did the RFE group arrange an itinerary similar to an RFE trip, including home hosting, but they also provided the cost of the airfares for 10 participants.

District 9970 Earthquake Coordinator Ken Booth assisted spreading the word and the NZ Fire Service was also contacted to provide some names of people impacted by the quakes who would benefit from a 17 day rest and recreation tour in District 9790 (as it turned out, only one person on the tour was Rotarian). The visitors were not only affected by the actual quakes (over 12,000 at time of visiting), but by issues between the various authorities and insurers to get houses repaired. One couple have been living in part of their house under a tarpaulin since February 2011, hope to have their house repaired by mid 2013. Several others had lost their houses totally, and had been paid out, and given the chance to find new premises and move on with their lives .

The result of all this was an early morning pickup by Rotary Club of Myrtleford on the 8th September of 10 Cantabrians ready for some serious R&R!

Six District Clubs offered their support and home hosting arranged at Myrtleford, Albury-Hume, Appin Park Wangaratta, Mooroopna and Diamond Creek, and Beechworth provided most welcome financial support to help defray some of the local costs. Rotary Club of Euroa also pitched in with the morning tea/ brunch stop half way up the Hume (as our visitors had been on the go since around midnight Aust Time!)

The tourists were given the opportunity to just rest and relax, which some did, see the sights of our wonderful District, and get in some good retail therapy. The group met a lot of people who were determined to make this holiday one they could remember, and it was also a great experience for the hosts.

The feedback has been very positive and many friendships have been forged across the Tasman as a result of this trip. The group have also met again in Christchurch to share their memories and experiences. The message from one family friend, says it all:

From Rotarian Dick Gwatkin, long-standing member of the Rotary Club of Morrinsville in District 9930:

"She is a widow, and her home was condemned due to the earthquakes, and although she has been fortunate to purchase a very suitable replacement home, she has had a very stressful time over the past eighteen months or so.  My wife and I have just visited her in Christchurch, and were blown away by her description of the wonderful time she and the group had in Victoria. It is only too apparent that the hospitality they received was very caring and generous."