Courtney was a girl living in isolation in the small town of Maxwelton, NW Queensland, with no friends her age and being educated through School of the Air. In 2012, she was discovered by chance when a YEP Safari tour group stopped in Maxwelton. After meeting the tour leaders, Courtney was able to visit the group and experience Rotary activities. Inspired by this, Rotary clubs D9880 and D9550 jointly sponsored Courtney for a youth exchange to Brazil. Courtney successfully completed the application and interview process and embarked on her exchange in Brazil in 2014.

1. Courtney’s Story
Courtney Murtagh

2. Once upon a time in 2012, the fickle
finger of fate touched the life of a girl
who it seemed the world had past by.
By chance a YEP Safari coach stopped
at a small town, where she was sitting
on a seat watching the passing traffic.
The rest as they say is history

3. Courtney Murtagh
Isolated in the tiny town of Maxwelton in
NW Qld with no friends of her own age.
Education by School of the Air.
Courtney was discovered by a YEP Safari
group on tour in 2012

4. Flinders Highway
Townsville – Mt Isa

5. Maxwelton (Maxi)
Maxwelton 1625 klm north of Brisbane
and 546 klm west of Townsville
Population approximately 50
Maxwelton - Richmond Shire

6. Where it began
Discovered
Courtney with D9800 tour
leaders Geoff Asher and
Emmanuel Tumino
Safari comfort stop
Julia Creek

7. Meeting the tour

8. Following the meeting at Julia Creek roadhouse Geoff
and Emmanuel arrange for Courtney to visit D9800

9. Hosted by the Rotary club of Melbourne

10. Doing Rotary stuff

11. Courtney and
friends

12. Courtney returns to Maxwelton
D9880 and D9550 offer to jointly sponsor an exchange
She completes an application
Succeeds at interview
Selected to go to Brazil

13. Townsville Orientation
October 2013
Team Brazil at Cathedral School

15. D9550 outbound team to Brazil including 2 students from Dili

16. 2014 D9950 Team

17. With Paulo
In Brazil

20. Don’t Ask!

22. Obrigado
Courtney
Murtagh