SHARING TASMANIA WITH THE WORLD

When the Round Square International Conference wrapped up in Sydney, the journey was far from over for a group of international guests. During the Term break, our College hosted the Tasmanian Highlights Post-Conference Tour, a week-long circuit of the island from Launceston to Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, Port Arthur and Hobart.

Seven Round Square schools from Chile, Colombia, Canada, the USA, the UK and Germany joined the tour. Hosts Jacqui Churchill and I, together with Round Square Chairs Fergus Stewart, Lucy van der Aa and Oscar Mann, welcomed our guests.

The tour began in Launceston with a walk through Cataract Gorge, before heading west to Cradle Mountain, where the Tasmanian devils were a clear favourite. On the east coast, Freycinet and the sweep of Wineglass Bay showed off the island’s coastline at its best.

Port Arthur and the Tasman National Park gave visitors a look at a darker chapter of Tasmania’s history. The Port Arthur Ghost Tour went ahead in the rain, which suited the stories being told. In Hobart, the group visited MONA and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, took in the views from Mount Wellington and wandered through Salamanca.

The guests were generous in their thanks once they were home. Mark Friedman of The Athenian School in California wrote, “What a week!” Nicky Baguley of Westfield in Newcastle, UK, reported that the students had “been telling everyone / anyone who came near them about their adventures”, adding that they had been reflecting on how much they’d grown. Nina Peters of Salem in Germany called the experience “fantastic” and said the Tasmanian Devils were already missed. She also hoped “the Tim Tam situation” would now calm down as there was a shortage on the island after our guests left. James Steward of Ridley College in Canada offered the most committed review of all: “I decided to stay in Tasmania”.

Phoebe Dameron summed up the visitors’ first impressions: “What a fantastic introduction to Tasmania… Wow! This place is beautiful”. Diana Behar said the group was “back safe home happy and grateful, with many Tasmanian stories to share”. Tracy Crowe Morey thanked the Round Square student leaders who came along, saying they were “wonderful to have along”, noting it was during their holiday break.

Scotch Oakburn thanks all our visiting schools for their company, and our student leaders for showing off Tasmania at its best.

Stuart Walls
Director of Round Square