Au revoir notre ami Henri.
This week, Cobram bid farewell to a cherished young visitor, 18-year-old Parisian, Henri Schleiter.
This engaging young Frenchman completed his final years of high school in June 2023 and decided on a year of travel before undertaking a Law degree at Pantheon Assas University in Paris.
Henri spent countless hours on numerous websites before leaving home to find work and accommodation during his 12-month adventure around Australia.
On November 1, 2023 he touched down on Australian soil at Adelaide airport where he was met by the first of many Aussies he was to befriend.
An older retired chap he had been communicating with picked him up and drove him to his home at Cambrai, a small town of fewer than 300 people 70kms from Adelaide.
This was to be the beginning of many experiences over the following months and where Henri was to learn about machinery.
The property housed an enormous shed which comprised a huge collection of vehicles and the teenager soon learnt there was a use for every tool.
He learnt a lot, worked relatively hard and was well looked after, but after several months it was time to move on.
Henry purchased a Ford station wagon which seemed reasonably solid and offered him room to put a mattress in the back so off he set on his next adventure.
Unfortunately while travelling over some rough country roads, it was not long before he blew a tyre and in attempting to change it he also broke the jack.
With unwavering optimism, Henri continued his journey undeterred, crossing into Victoria and travelling the Great Ocean Road towards Melbourne.
Henri stayed in a hostel for a week while applying for various jobs, one of which required him to pay upfront for his accommodation while working on a dairy farm.
To his dismay, he quickly learnt this was a scam and the property no longer existed.
He was now out of pocket and without a job.
Nonetheless, he kept going and loved the sights and sounds of Melbourne, finding people were very friendly and polite before deciding to head further north.
He found he could often secure work for a day or two as he went along, and then his luck changed dramatically.
Noticing a hire company setting up for an event near Shepparton, he spoke to some of the workmen about the possibility of some work.
Despite being forced to sleep in his car for a day or two, he was offered a full-time job with Bourke Hire in Cobram for the next two months until it was time to return home to France.
He has enjoyed the work and the company, of his workmates and is extremely grateful to Fiona and Christopher King, owners of the company for the opportunity to work with them and ultimately stay with the family.
He soon became one of the ‘boys,’ learning about AFL football, watching local footy, travelling to Melbourne to watch several games and playing the card game UNO during his lunch break at work.
A rugby player for 10 years, he maintained his fitness while attending training with Cobram Roar.
He also gave golf a shot and got up close to mobs of grazing kangaroos on the course.
Henri, disappointingly however, had only one sighting of a koala and that was at Quinn Island.
The size of Australia and its stunning natural environment, native animals and birdlife has amazed the young man together with the hospitality shown to him by the people of Cobram.
While students learn English at school, it does not really prepare them when visiting countries such as Australia where English is the spoken language.
Henri’s family consists of mum, a naturopath and university teacher and dad a business consultant and the family including his five siblings, rarely speak English at home.
One would have expected Henri to struggle somewhat; however, the confident young man has picked up the Australian way of speaking amazingly well.
The friendships made during his time here will be lifelong and provide a network for him in the future, particularly after he graduates with a law degree five years from now.
Footnote: Already the networking for both families has begun - Fiona and Chris King’s son Hugo who has completed a Commerce Degree left on a six-month overseas backpack trip recently and the very first French people he met after landing in Paris just happened to be Henri’s family.
Royal Flying Doctor Service - A valuable community transport program
The Royal Flying Doctor Service Community Transport Program is proving immensely valuable to people living in rural areas since its introduction to Cobram and district residents in July 2023.
Initially operating from Numurkah, one of 10 locations throughout rural Victoria, it was found there was increasing demand for the service further north which would include Cobram, Barooga, Tocumwal, Katamatite, Tungamah and Burramine
The decision made to open a new service in Cobram required a co-ordinator to organise and train volunteer drivers and promote the service.
Former policeman and active community man Mark Nordbye who brought a huge range of skills and knowledge to the position was appointed to the role.
Demand progressed rapidly for the free service available to those who live within the designated service area, are over the age of 65 years, have a Government Pension card or possess a Health Care Card and who require transport to a health related appointment or social support group.
Initially, there was only one car and a bus for transport, however as demand increased the numbers of volunteers has grown and now totals 11 in Cobram, with a further five in training, with two cars and use of a NCN Cob Bus.
Since July 2023, 691 appointments have been attended to, covering a distance of 43,587 kms.
The service has provided a huge benefit to those who are no longer able to drive to appointments yet wish to continue to live independently. For information please contact 7046 4664, which is open during business hours Monday to Friday.
Of 360 registered clients for Cobram and district, 82 per cent are repeat clients, with 24 per cent living out of town.
With 31 years in Victoria Police and four years on the Moira Shire Council, Mark contributes a wealth of understanding about community needs to his role.
He has volunteered with Salvation Amy Pathways Homeless support and emergency relief, CFA ,Scouts Australia, Lions, Katamatite Action Group, Katamatite Primary School where he designed and rebuilt Katamatite Pre School and contributed to many more aspects of life in rural townships, including raising considerable funds when participating in three Variety 4 Wheel Bashes.
“The RFDS Community Transport Program is extremely vital to allowing people to stay in their homes, receive care and help to maintain their dignity,” Mark said.
Mark is extremely proud of how the transport program is progressing.
Mark Nordbye is a father of two sons and a daughter and nine grandchildren and married to Kerren, the first female CFA Captain in District 22.
Footnote: It should be noted that while the service is supported by funding through Gippsland, Murray and Western Victoria PHN’S and free to eligible clients, it is extremely grateful for any donations from the public.