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OPERATION BOOMERANG
1965 – 2006
by Margaret Waudby
“OPERATION BOOMERANG” is a very appropriate
name given to an outstanding, successful and still
continuing exercise in international friendship and
understanding through personal contact.
In December 1965, two young Australian school
students traveled to the United States and were
hosted by families in Seattle, Wash., for six
weeks. Rodney Waudby, age 9, and Kerry Lofts, age
10, from Peakhurst South, Sydney, traveled
unaccompanied to Seattle to a group of people who
have become lifelong friends, but at the time, were
unknown.
Operation Boomerang commenced in 1965 by a very
enthusiastic Australian primary (elementary) school teacher,
Alan Parker. Alan wanted to do something different
for his combined |
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4th and 5th
grade class, and he contacted President Dwight
Eisenhower’s People to People organisation. Soon a
letter from the People to People was
sent to John Albaugh at an elementary school in
Seattle with the name and address of our Peakhurst
South Elementary School.
From that moment on, dozens of letters and many
boxes containing anything the children wanted to
share with their new friends in Seattle and
Peakhurst South were exchanged, including tapes so
they could talk to each other. The excitement and
enthusiasm escalated to the idea from Mr. Parker
that two of our Peakhurst South students would
travel to Seattle.
At the end of January 1966, Rodney and Kerry,
dressed in their school uniforms with pockets
denoting the “Emblem of Australia” and “Junior
Ambassador,” made their farewells. It was an
extremely emotional moment for us seeing our
children who were so young moving away to the
aircraft that would carry them across the world. I
was so very excited for Rodney but ever so tearful
at letting him go.
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In a matter of a few days letters
start flying backward and forward over the
Pacific with all their news - the various
families they stayed with - skiing and the snow
fights - a trip to see Namu the killer whale -
the Space Needle - meet and greet parties -
attending school - appearances on TV and an
interview on a radio program - visit to the
state governor and many more. I couldn’t write
quickly enough and was very impatient to receive
the next letter. Rodney and Kerry enjoyed every
minute - a little home sickness, but there was
always so much going on that home sickness
certainly did not last! I cannot say enough
about the families that Rodney and Kerry stayed
with - they took such good care of them, and I
thank them once again. The six weeks disappeared
very quickly, and our two Aussie Ambassadors
returned to Sydney via Disneyland - also
organized by the Seattle school teacher.
It was just wonderful to have Rodney home again
and to hear all his many, many stories of his
American adventure. |
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Excitement and enthusiasm for this project, by now
named “Operation Boomerang” was further enhanced,
when in the following June 1966, five American
students: Vicki Anderson, Melinda Allbery, Sydney
Lund, Brad Hanson and Craig Cooke, and their
teacher, Mr. Albaugh came to Peakhurst South for
seven weeks. To make this trip possible for these
Seattle students, Mr Albaugh and the five students
worked hard to raise the required money.
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Again the five American students
stayed with various Peakhurst South families on
a rotating basis, and our American guests were
taken to Canberra, Hill End, Koala Park, Sydney
Harbour, Taronga Park Zoo, Fort Denison,
Warragamba Dam, Jenolan Caves and Surfers
Paradise in Queensland. Some of the mothers
knitted sweaters for the students and those for
the boys were green and gold (Aussie colours). I
can assure you we enjoyed taking our guests to
all these places as much as they all enjoyed
themselves. It was an absolute wonderful
experience. |
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One important event that took place was, on
arrival, the teacher and the five students
planted a eucalyptus tree to commemorate their
visit. This tree, then about three feet tall was
planted not very far from the elementary/primary
school, and a plaque was created to identify the
students and the date. This tree, like the
friendships that we made in 1966, has grown to
approximately 40 feet and still flourishes
today.
“Operation Boomerang” was
not over then. Over the ensuing 40 years many
people have crossed the Pacific - at least 48
visits. This is an amazing response to an idea
way back in 1965 by a school teacher who wanted
his students to experience a very special
relationship with people from another country.
This certainly happened. Rodney has returned
seven times. As for myself I have visited five
times - the last being in 2005. My joy with each
visit is being welcomed with open arms, and I
always have the feeling of belonging to these
wonderful people in the Seattle area. Being
introduced as “my Aussie Mum” is very special
for me. I am very proud of that and treasure the
connection we have between our two towns. I have
watched these young students become adults and
enjoy seeing them with their own families.
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Following my visit in July/August, 2005, two of
the American students, Brad Hanson and Vicki
Anderson (now Buchberger) made the decision to
visit Sydney this year to celebrate their 40th
anniversary. Vicki came with her husband Joe and
their daughter Kenna. Brad came with his partner
Melanie. Many of the families who accommodated
the American students back in 1966 came to
Rodney’s home to once again enjoy these
wonderful people. So much excitement, tears,
speeches, laughter, photographs, and many, many
memories were shared. Seeing Alan Parker again
after so many years was also a real treat.
Everyone has changed, but what has not changed
is the relationships we made 40 years ago - they
are everlasting.
To quote John Albaugh, “It was a dream, a dream
in closeness, understanding and all those
qualities that the People to People organisation
nurtures. It has enriched our lives so much that
the bond that was developed so long ago is still
as strong as ever.” |
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