Experience of Kaohsiung / Gavin的高雄經驗
Experience of Kaohsiung
By Ya-Ting Hou Photos by Jung-Hui Pao
Gavin Blakey came all the way to Kaohsiung from Brisbane, Australia to attend the training program for the "Sister City Public Servants Exchange Project". With his unique moustache and outgoing personality, he was quick to give everyone he met a big warm smile.
Gavin did his training at both the "Urban Development Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government" and the "Sewer Department of Kaohsiung Municipal Government". He built up a good relationship with his senior officer, colleagues, and also his home stay family. Not only did he share his knowledge about "water resources", but he also did a good job in paving the way for future liaising between Brisbane and Taiwan.
Gavin works at the Urban Management Division as a Principal Officer of Sustainable Water Resources in Brisbane. During Gavin's stay in Taiwan, he experienced the "Hai Tung Typhoon", which was not only the strongest typhoon to hit Taiwan in five years, but also the first he had ever experienced. Therefore, he was quick to film the typhoon so that he could share this unforgettable experience with his friends and family back in Australia. Furthermore, during the typhoon, Gavin observed the capacity of the draining and flood prevention systems in Kaohsiung and was very positive in his remarks about the construction of these two systems.
Gavin said that since Kaohsiung and Brisbane were sister cities, they had plenty of opportunities to share their opinions on water management which would not only be positive from an environmental perspective, but would also enhance the friendship between the two cities. Gavin was very appreciative of his opportunity to receive training with the Kaohsiung City Government and commented on the professional and warm_hearted nature of those he worked with at the City Hall.
During his free time, Gavin enjoyed walking around Love River, Cijin, the British Consulate at Takao, and Sizih Bay. He particularly liked Love River and said that he got a sense of how strongly Kaohsiung citizens felt about the area.
Although Gavin found it hard to forget the blue skies and unique smell of the Australian bush land, he remarked on how proud the citizens of Kaohsiung should be of their city.
Gavin的高雄經驗
文／侯雅婷 攝影／鮑忠暉 遠從澳洲布里斯本市來到高雄參加「姐妹市交換公務人員實習計劃」的Gavin Blakey，留著一抹風格獨具的小鬍子，有著熱情開朗的個性，見面時總不吝給人一個溫暖的大微笑。
在布里斯本市任職於「都市管理部水資源分處」的Gavin，此行於高雄市政府的都發局及下水道工程處實習，與長官、同事及接待他的寄宿家庭互動良好、相處愉快，除了貢獻自己在「水資源」相關議題的專業，更冀望能進一步尋求布里斯本市與高雄間互相支援與服務的機會。 來台期間，恰巧遇到台灣五年以來威力最強的「海棠颱風」，這是Gavin第一次的颱風經驗，他更慎重其事地拍攝颱風錄影帶，打算帶回澳洲分享這個難得的經驗；儘管Gavin的中文仍處與基本功的功力，他仍然仔細地觀察海棠颱風來襲，降下驟雨，對於高雄縣、市防洪及排水功能的考驗，Gavin也因此相當肯定高雄市在下水道建設的成功。 Gavin說：「高雄市與澳洲布里斯本市結為姐妹市，彼此有緊密的合作關係，除了資源共享、意見交流，雙方在進一步合作時，更能加強、鞏固彼此的友誼。」他很珍惜這個寶貴的機會可以到高雄市政府實習，也給與市府的同事們高度的肯定。 閒暇時，Gavin喜歡到愛河、旗津、打狗英國領事館及西子灣到處走走，Gavin對愛河情有獨鍾，因為他感受到市民對於愛河獨特的情感，他喜愛親近愛河時，總可以看到高雄最真實也最精彩的城市生活。而食物方面，Gavin喜歡西瓜、鳳梨跟海鮮，對於高雄的生猛海鮮更下深刻而美好的印象。 儘管Gavin對於故鄉蔚藍的天空及叢林的味道難以忘懷，可以肯定的是，Gavin 此行11週時間，收獲滿滿，感動萬分。 |