After a long and tiring journey, the 15 members of the 13th consecutive student delegation from Shittim High School in the Central Arava to Australia landed in Melbourne on July 23rd. The group was warmly welcomed by Partnership 2000 coordinator Ilana Maizels, and was hosted by Bialik College.

Accompanying teacher Denise Teva, who also led the second student delegation to Australia eleven years ago, was pleased to see that this time there were Israeli shlichim and young Australians participating in the informal education program at Bialik, whose involvement with the Israeli delegation helped make the Israeli pupils feel more "at home".

The stay in Melbourne was full of activities, including a ceremony at Beit Weizmann Community Center, visits to the Holocaust Museum and Jewish Museum, and an introduction to the Melbourne Jewish Zionist community by veteran Partnership 2000 activist Ginette Searle and Odelia, the educational shlicha for the JNF. The delegation members also visited the King David School and Leibler Yavneh College, where excellent connections were made between the Australian and Israeli youngsters.

Presentations on the Arava, work with the lower grades, an outing to Lake Mountain, a tour of the city, a visit to Melbourne Zoo and much more were all part of the ten days in Melbourne. In the words of Bialik teacher Mike Schnall, "… all host students and their billets shared experiences that they won't soon forget! Nothing quite says 'I love you' like a snowball in the back! When asked to describe their experiences over the Arava delegation's stay in Melbourne, our students' responses included comments such as: 'It was an amazing way to connect to Israel, through the personal relationships we've made'."

To see photos please click on the following link: http://www.uiavic.org/photo-gallery/
 
On Sunday, August 1, the group flew to Sydney where they were greeted by Lotan and Yifat of the UIA. The group also met with Shittim teacher, Horia Niv, who was participating in this year's teacher exchange program, as well as Barry Zworestine from Masada College. The delegation was hosted by Emanuel School this year, and the Israeli pupils made several presentations at the school, as well as during their visits to Masada and Moriah Colleges. The students also participated in a visit to the Montefiore Home where they gave their presentations, sang, and most important of all, interacted with the seniors who had come to meet the delegation. It was a great success!

The group enjoyed much wonderful sightseeing in Sydney, visiting Darling Harbour and the Aquarium, taking the Bondi-Bronte walk and driving to Watsons Bay, as well as helping to prepare challah with their Australian counterparts at "Our Big Kitchen".

The work of the delegation has not ended with their return to Israel. The group members will embark upon a series of discussions both with the teaching staff and the younger pupils about partnership 2000, the UIA, JNF, the importance of dialogue with Diaspora and why they feel such a project is important.