History of Connection Western Australia and California
A Legacy of Rotary Exchange | In 1967, Rotary International (“RI”) District Governor John H. Clay appointed Herb Hezlep III from the Monrovia Rotary Club (RI District #530, currently #5300 California & Nevada) to lead the inaugural Group Study Exchange (“GSE”) between District #530 and Western Australia (RI District #245, currently District #9423). Herb collaborated closely with Bill Holywell, leader of the Western Australian team, to organise an intensive eight-week itinerary, which included 105 host families, study visits, speaking engagements, 29 Rotary lunches, and participation in the District Conference in Las Vegas.
For the WA team, the experience was both intellect
ually and physically demanding, elevating them to a level of recognition within Rotary while also sparking curiosity about Australia. Many formed lifelong friendships, particularly with Herb and his wife Liz, who frequently hosted Western Australian team members and their families over the years.
ually and physically demanding, elevating them to a level of recognition within Rotary while also sparking curiosity about Australia. Many formed lifelong friendships, particularly with Herb and his wife Liz, who frequently hosted Western Australian team members and their families over the years.In 2007, the original 1967 team reunited in Australia to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their life-changing exchange, with all seven Western Australian team members and Herb Hezlep in attendance. Herb made his thirteenth trip to Australia for the occasion, a testament to the enduring friendships formed through Rotary.
Inaugural Vocational Training Team
Recognising the lasting impact of GSE, Herb and Liz Hezlep generously donated to The Rotary Foundation (“TRF”) to establish an endowment fund supporting Vocational Training Team (“VTT”) exchanges between Western Australia (Districts 9455 & 9465, currently #9423) and California-Nevada (District #5300). Their dedication to Rotary’s ideals and the GSE program continues to foster international collaboration and professional development, carrying forward the spirit of exchange and service.
The purpose of the Rotary Vocational Visit from California and Nevada to Western Australia is to foster international collaboration and professional development, continuing the spirit of exchange and service. This visit will facilitate a knowledge-sharing discussion on the intersection between family violence and human trafficking, focusing on how these issues are addressed in Western Australia, California, and Nevada. The visiting team will share insights from their jurisdictions while also gaining an 
understanding of the approaches taken in Western Australia, particularly in relation to prosecution, law enforcement, and victim support services.
understanding of the approaches taken in Western Australia, particularly in relation to prosecution, law enforcement, and victim support services.The inaugural Vocational Training Team (VTT) travelling to Rotary International District #5300 was led by Team Leader Rebecca Tolstoy AM and included Major Margaret MacDonald, Sergeant Darrell Hagan, Mark Crake, Sarah-Jane Sharp, and Alison Kirby. Accompanying the team was Marion Benness, daughter of Bill Holywell, the original team leader of the Western Australian Group Study Exchange (GSE) in 1967.
The team travelled from Los Angeles to Las Vegas within RI District #5300, engaging in vocational knowledge sharing, fostering deeper understanding and cooperation on family violence and healthy relationship, leading with the Western Australian Rotary project
Rotary Path of Hope.