This year's group of students from the Shittim School in the Arava added yet another successful layer to the Partnership's most veteran tradition, as the 11th consecutive student delegation to Australia. The group was accompanied by physical education teacher Gilad Ashur, a member of Tsukim, the region's youngest settlement.

For the first time the delegation began the trip in Sydney, arriving early in the morning on July 22nd. They group was warmly received by the community, and particularly by this year's hosts, Moriah College. The program, formulated by Young Leadership Coordinator Efat Oron, was excellent, and the hospitality was outstanding.

After a week in Sydney the group flew to Melbourne, where they were warmly hosted, as always, by families of Bialik College students, and by Director of Informal Education Sergio Hershkowitz, the College's wonderful liaison. The comprehensive program included visits to other Melbourne schools, local institutions and sites in and around the city.

During their time in both Melbourne and Sydney, the Shittim students put on their presentation about the Arava in particular and Israel in general, including subjects such as regional agriculture and tourism, the differences between life in the city and life in the Arava, the Israeli Army, and the Shittim School. The students look forward to hosting some of their Australian counterparts in the Arava this coming December.

Gilad Ashur noted at the close of the delegation's visit to Australia: "The people of the community and the office-holders in both Sydney and Melbourne were just wonderful, and embraced us with much warmth and love".