The Connell High School team has a strong history, traditionally placing well in statewide championships. However, the team finally took the state championship the year Metzger was away. They're either working on the farm or otherwise involved in outdoor activities. Exotic animals such as brumbies, wombats, echidnas and laughing kookaberras also were part of the Australian experience. Laughing kookaberras, the largest member of the kingfisher family, frequently broke Metzger from early morning sleep with hysterical, cacophonous outbursts of laughter.
Nonindigenous animals are a large part of the Australian picture.
They're messing up the continent's ecological balance. They took rabbits over there, and they got loose. Sugar cane, European carp and camels also got loose. It's the story of Australia. New sights and sounds in a new terrain all were part of the experience, but by far, the best part of the exchange was the 25 great new friends he made, Metzger said.