De La Salle visits Green Hills

Green Hills Visits De La Salle

For two weeks last year fifteen of our students and four staff experienced the highs and lows of a different culture when we visited Green Hills Manila. This year in May we were able to return the hospitality and welcomed a delegation of staff and students from Green Hills to our College for a short but enjoyable stay. Our visitors met their host families at the College on Saturday May 3 after an overnight flight from Manila. A number of friendships were renewed and it was not long before the host families and their guests were on their way for a weekend of getting to know each other and the experience of living in the suburbs of Melbourne. During the hectic two weeks our visitors experienced many aspects of Australian life and sampled some of the sights Victoria has to offer. Some of the highlights were the visits to the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary, the Surf Coast, Queen Victoria Market and many others. The delegation was entertained by students and staff at St James’ and St Bede’s before heading off to Phillip Island and the mandatory visit to the penguin parade. Things that impressed them were the ability to freely move about the city on public transport and the relaxed lifestyle that we experience here in Australia. Many of them expressed the wish to stay longer. I would like to thank all the host families for accepting a guest into their homes as I know it was demanding and tested the generosity of those who committed themselves to the exchange. It was, I hope, an experience that was enriching for all concerned. I would also like to thank Br Quentin and the Brothers’ Community for the hospitality shown to the staff members who stayed with the Brothers. The visit concluded with a dinner in the Performing Arts Centre where all concerned enjoyed a meal and some entertainment in a spirit of relaxed informality. To all who helped in the exchange and made it such that friendships and understanding flourished we thank you or your generosity and look forward to continuing the experience in 2004 when students from Malvern will visit Manila and further strengthen the bonds between our two Colleges. This program was very much supported by Mrs. Lilia Vengco, the High School Principal at Green Hills. She concluded her term as Principal this year and has been appointed to head a new school in Manila. I would like to thank her for her support and encouragement over the years and wish her well in her new post. We look forward to working with Bro Felipe the new High School Principal. During term three we were saddened to learn of the passing of Miss Rolia Newry. She was a great supporter of the exchange program and provided our students with many thought provoking experiences. She came to Australia with the 1999 delegation. She was an inspiration to us all. May she rest in peace. Murray Enniss Exchange Coordinator