Australian Volunteers International (AVI) recently visited the Australia-Melbourne Hope School. AVI have provided some recommendations on how to best utilise the remaining Project Hope Funds. AVI have advised that rather than splitting the money (and looking at helping another school) that we do one school really well - and the school chosen certainly needs our help! I agree with AVI’s recommendation.

For example the remaining funds can be used to set up a modern playground with safe, attractive equipment suited to the needs of small children (6-9 years). This is one of the aspects that will help them attract and retain children in the area - a core principal of the Hope School Projects. We can also explore using the remaining funds to support short term teacher training programs through Project Hope’s training centres.

An official opening of the school will take place later this year, or early in the new year. Look forward to sharing the continued progress.

Last week, a representative from AVI met with the Director and Project Manager from Project Hope and the two headmasters from the Melbourne Hope School. The aim of the visit was to understand the current progress of the construction of the school as well as to gain insights into the ongoing development needs this school may require. AVI felt this school, located in Tianjin city, was very worthy of the support being given. As this school is quite close to Beijing the local families and farmers are finding it very difficult at the moment as a lot of the water supplies are being diverted to the main city, which is putting increasing pressure on their capabilities to earn money. The headmasters of the school are extremely excited and appreciative of the support from all of the donors, as the enhancements will help to continue to attract students and families to the region and reduce the number of people who move to find better educational facilities.

There is great progress being made on the construction of the new facilities. As there are quite a lot of works occurring, the students have had to be transferred to other surrounding schools. They are all extremely excited to return to their school as soon as possible!! The new facilities have been built to accommodate a growing population in the future and adhere to the strict new earthquake building guidelines.

AVI will provide a full report on their visit to the Melbourne Hope School and its progress shortly.

Building of the Melbourne Hope School commences this month and is due to finish in October. This is very exciting, as while there were some initial delays due to adverse weather conditions, the completion date has only been pushed out slightly. Australian Volunteers International (AVI) will also be visiting Melbourne Hope School in August to meet with representatives from the school and Project Hope to understand and assess the feasibility of a project volunteer to work in the community/school. After this visit, AVI will submit a report including photographs of the progress and recommendations for assisting to meet identified needs. I look forward to continuing to update you on the progress of Melbourne Hope School.
All the best
David

Update from Richard Palmer

The day started with a boat trip from Port Arthur that was great fun, however was quite rough and cold. The real race started on top of Mt Wellington with a tough descent followed by a very technical mountain bike leg ending up at Wrest Point Casino. We then did a quick run to the top and a rope section off the top of the Casino. Then we ran to Hobart town centre for a few more checkpoints and to finish off today’s racing and the Challenge for this year. We are all very happy to finish and looking forward to celebrating tonight!

Update from Phil Barrett
Day 4 of the Mark Webber Challenge took place at Port Arthur and commenced with a severe weather warning which bought about the cancellation of the planned paddling stages of the day.

The first leg for the two Telstra teams was a 15km run from Waterfall Bay to Fortescue Bay. This trail run has some of the most spectacular scenery to be found in Tasmania and the Telstra teams ran the leg very strongly. David Moffatt and Jacinta Worland were one of the fastest teams competing in the Ambassadors Cup and Team Telstra competing in the Van Diemen Cup continued to push their lead out and challenge for 3 spot overall. Unfortunately for Team Telstra Mark Comer sprained an ankle just prior to the end of the 2 hour run leg which slowed the team somewhat when they were pressing for 3rd place.

The next leg was a 22km mountain bike ride on very hilly rough roads into a very strong head wind. Again both Telstra teams road strongly and continued to pick their way through the field. The next leg was a 6km run around a wind blown peninsular with some very large sand dunes to be traversed. Following the run it was onto the mountain bike again for a 8km ride to the finish. Both Telstra teams finished the day extremely well.

As the teams cooled down word was sent around that there would be a 10km kayak in the evening and so the teams had to regroup and get back into their wet and sweaty gear to undertake an additional kayak leg to complete an epic day. The kayak leg took place off the Port Arthur historic site with a large spectator contingent and concluded with the competitors kayaking through and under the bow of a very large catamaran. Another example of the mystery legs and spectacular natural environment interaction that this race brings out.
With the final day 5 due to take place in Hobart tomorrow the two Telstra teams are very well placed to take out their respective categories in the event.