NEWRY – Rotary District 7780, comprised of clubs in towns from Newburyport, Mass., to Damariscotta, along the coast and up the Maine-New Hampshire border to Canada, will send its 2004 Group Study Exchange Team to Queensland, Australia, for a six-week adventure Down Under.

The team consists of Rotarian Leader Steve Wight, owner of Sunday River Inn in Newry; Angela Marzilli, a teacher at Poland Elementary School; Jenn Rolfs, curator of the Saco Museum; Michael Robinson, a freelance photographer from the Portsmouth, N.H., area; and Beth Ann Schmitt, educational coordinator at Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, N.H. During the time that the team is away, a similar team from Queensland will visit this area.

Both teams will stay with Rotarian families throughout the districts visited as they tour local businesses and attractions, experience the culture and understand how their professions are practiced in another part of the world.

Each team will make presentations as they travel that depict life in their home areas. Upon return home they will be available to present information on their findings to Rotary clubs and other local groups.

As the team moves about Australia from Darwin on the north coast through the Outback to the northeastern shore and the Great Barrier Reef, they will post pictures and thoughts to the district Web site. To follow the adventure, school classes and individuals can log on to www.rotary7780.org/GSEoutbound.cfm and see the team’s latest discoveries.

The team will return on June 5, in time to join in the celebration for the Australian team’s departure back to Queensland on June 12.

Group Study Exchange is open to any non-Rotarian ages 25 to 40. For information on how to apply contact the local Rotary Club or check the Web site.

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