Army dentist trips to Washington DC

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 462, 17 November 1992, Page 10

Army dentist trips to Washington DC

I BY

JAN

SAVELL

Captain Susan Church I has had an experience I few other New Zealand S dentists will ever have. V She was selected by ||j Rotary International l District 9940 for a six J\ week group study exchange. Capt Church was one of five young professionals who toured the State of Maryland and Washington D.C., speaking about New Zealand and visiting a wide variety of institutions. The 40 days were crammed with visits to government and legal institutions, schools, colleges, historical and scenic points of interest, and the leading industries of Maryland. One week was devoted to each individual's profession. Capt Church found the doors opened for her in military establishments and dental centres. "I got some really good ideas and was able to bring back with me some materials that have

just been released. The technology was baffling, buildings full of computers and the size of everything was incredible." "I would tell them that within the three forces in New Zealand we have 20 dentists. They have 4300 in the Navy alone! And their Army has 180,000 dentists." All accommodation was with Rotary International host families and the group were encouraged to observe and take an active part in religious, cultural and recreational activities as part of the cultural exchange. For Capt Church the highlight of the trip was when her host family announced they had tickets for her to see the Washington Redskins play the Miami Dolphins. As a tourist this would normally not have been possible as there is a two and a half year waiting list for the tickets. "There were 5060,000 people in this re-

ally huge multi-storey stadium. Everyone was so enthusiastic. I'd been to a football game earlier

so I was able to understand and follow the game. There were the Turn to page 1 ;

Dentist From page 10 cheerleaders, hot dog guys and they were selling beers. The atmosphere was amazing." Susan is an enthusiastic sportswomen herself with notable achievements in rowing, hockey, ski mountaineering and triathlons. She found it difficult to build time for personal exercise into the busy schedule. "We were moving around a lot. Every three days I'd be repacking my

suitcase, Capt Church said. "Sometimes we'd have a presentation at a breakfast meeting so you'd be leaving at 5.30am. The day would be so full that you wouldn't get back to your host families until 10pm at night." She believes the intensive programme was essential when the trip only lasted six weeks. "You can sleep when you get back to New Zealand" she said. The objective of the programme is to 'provide outstanding young business and professional people opportunities for studying another country, its people and institutions, through participation in an organized programme of study and discussion in the country concerned'. Capt Church was nominated by the Taihape branch oLRotary and underwent a rigorous selection process which whittled the 55 nominations from the district down to the team who travelled. Music exams The following students gained passes in the Trinity College Music Practical examinations held in Wanganui recently: Piano - Grade Two; Hayley Mackay merit, Sara Mackay merit. Electronic Organ - Grade One; Chris Hammond merit. Hayley and Sara are pupils of Mrs J Knight and Chris is a pupil of Mrs A Greenwood.