VIT and ITA Orientation

Victoria State Parliament

 Me with a new Aussie friend, Steve from ITA.

 St. Patrick's Cathedral

 The Australian Open entrance.

Poloz beats Jack Sock of the US.

Friday, January 22^nd.

Up bright and early, had a quick fruit and museli breakfast before walking out to catch the train to Parliament Station. From there it was a short walk to the Victoria Institute of Teaching head office. There I met Marg Orme, the woman I had been sending endless e-mails to about all the requirements for this exchange. She is the Australian version of Carol Wilkins of CEEF.

We assembled in the boardroom. There were 14 Canadians, 1 American woman and 1 British woman. We were welcomed by a few officials and then led through a few presentations about expectations, the new government and their new agenda. Then we met some of the committee of the International Teachers Association (ITA). They are a group of Australian teachers who have been on exchange and offer support to the incoming teachers and organize events for us. They did presentations on what to expect, what we might go through and how to relax and enjoy the experience.

The last presentation was from two police officers who told us about the rules of the road here, how strict they are with drinking and driving, speeding, and red light cameras. They have zero tolerance for any speeding. They claim they have reduced the fatalities on their roads dramatically. They also explained something called a 'hook turn' which is a means of making a right turn across rail lines, sounds simple but it is not. They made it all funny but it makes you think about driving here.

After all of the presentations we had a group photo taken and then ITA put on a little picnic for us with pizza, wine, beers and desserts. It was nice to get a chance to talk to the other exchangees and share stories and concerns. I talked to two ITA members who were very helpful, Steve and Jim and his partner Barry. Jim is a principal and very funny and straightforward. He has done three exchanges and gave us some sage adive: “do your best, don't volunteer for anything you'll be too busy, and don't stress it will all be fine and if not what can they do to you, you are only here for a year!”

We broke up about 5:00 and Bev and Carol invited me to see their condo, which is within walking distance. They are on the 15^th floor right downtown. They are happy with that but I would rather be in the burbs near the beach. We talked for a while about New Zealand, the ITA and then I excused myself to walk to the site of the Australian Open.

I checked ticket prices and bought a seat in Rod Laver Stadium for tomorrow and a site pass for tonight. I went in and watched Jack Sock lose in straight sets and then watched the first part of a doubles match that Lopez and Lopez were leading.

I left at 10:00 to try to figure out how to get back home. I took a tram to Flinders Station and found the train line that takes me back to Chelsea.