In June of this year, current Broadus High School Senior Callie Williams went on the trip of a lifetime, traveling to Australian with Down Under Sports. This organization hosts tournaments in Australia for American high school athletes competing in various sports. The athletes pay a fee to go on the trip, with funds often raised with the help of their communities.
Callie's trip began with a fundraising car wash, commenting that she washed cars until she could barely grip the sprayer. The fundraising efforts paid off, as she took off from Rapid City for the long trip Down Under.
Williams' journey first involved stopping off for a seven hour layover in Los Angeles, followed by a 13.5 hour flight to Brisbane, which is the capital of Queensland, Australia. Upon landing, Callie soon traveled to the Gold Coast, an area south of Brisbane featuring wide sandy beaches.
Callie spent some time recovering from the jet lag of the long trip, but was soon exploring a kangaroo habitat and hanging out on the beach in Surfer's Paradise. Callie traveled to the Currumbin Wildlife sanctuary, where she spent some time getting to know a koala, as well as feeding the lorikeets, a colorful native bird which Callie says come in to feed every day, exactly at 6 pm.
While she was in Australia, Callie also found time to watch a performance by the Australian natives – the Aborigines, where they played that most Australian of instruments, the didgeridoo.
She also had an opportunity to skydive in a tandem jump, saying the experience was an amazing rush.
All was not fun and games, Callie spent much of her time in Australia competing in what she traveled halfway across the world to do – golfing. Williams golfed alongside the other 49 kids who came from America to play. Only one other Montanan made the journey, a girl from Chinook. Callie said that they team spent several days practicing, and even played a round of night golf. Callie competed in several tournaments during her ten day stay, including a scramble. In the International tournament, the Australian team beat the American team. In the All-American tournament, Callie's team, consisting of 13 boys and 11 girls, beat the other Americans.
Following all the fun, Williams attended an awards ceremony, then woke up at 4 AM to travel "back in time" for the journey back to the states.
The young golfer said that the journey was amazing; one of her favorite experiences during her time in Australia was when she woke up early to watch the sunrise over the waters of the Pacific.
She reflected on her travels: "This trip was the journey of a lifetime. If you get the chance, by all means go!"
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