Frau Welton

As I train from Luxermbourg to Frankfurt I consider how long this trip has been approaching.

In many ways this trip to Germany has been close to 15 years in the making. Among the most important influences on me and my life has been my German teacher Rosie-Frau Welton. I studied German for four year at high school and despite a gap in year ten it only took one year of German with Rosie for me to study German in years elleven and twelve. That took faith on both my and Rosie´s part, to believe that I could do it after a year of absence and not at the cost of my final high school results.

Rosie was a vibrant character who, over the years of teaching at James Nash State High in Gympie influenced many students´ destinies. She often said about the joy of reading post cards from students who had tripped to Germany inspired by their travel unit assignments.

I count two teachers who have had more impact than all others combined and Rosie is one of them. She, somehow, bought me out of a shell, from a shy person to, at the very least, a shy person who had moments where he felt brave enough top perform to the world. She also opened my eyes to a wider world that was more diverse than I ever imagined.

At the end of year twelve she nominated me for an award for "A wonderful sense of humour", which was typical of her nature and I hope, the impression I had on her. Unfortunatly our school principle felt it innapropriate and I never received such an award at the school presentations. However among my most prized possesions is a draft of that very certificate.

Sadly I will never have the opprtunity to send Rosie that postcard. Less than two years after I finshed high school Rosie lost her battle with cancer.

Rosie Welton-this is your postcard.