WESFARMERS Premier Coal’s environmental superintendent Digby Short is going to Norway next year as part of Rotary Group Study Exchange.

The exchange allows professionals to study their vocations overseas for a month.

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 in the early years of their professional life.

It plugs into Rotary’s international network of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, promote high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Dr Short is part of a group of five who will be accompanied by a Rotary leader during the exchange.

Digby and another member of the group will represent industry.

Two others are from Esperance, one representing marine transport and the other dieback management.

The fifth member is from Albany and will represent road safety.

The team leader is also from Esperance.

Dr Short said he went through a short selection process before selection for the trip which will start at the end of April. “The boss, Patrick Warrand, suggested that I should apply so I did.

“I was nominated by the local Rotary club then reviewed by Rotary Inter-national in Perth, interviewed by a panel of 10 people and was chosen as part of the team.”

Dr Short said the selection process was aimed at finding people who were professional at work and could contribute back home in the community.

Since his selection, the team has had monthly meetings which have required a lot of traveling, Dr Short said.

“Because we’re all from different areas, we’re taking it in turns as to where we have the meetings. Teams aren’t usually as spread out. I’m just lucky I have a supportive wife.”

The group has been preparing information for presentations they will give while in Norway, Dr Short said.“We have also been researching vocational interests we want to visit and are getting to know the other team members.”