On the 24th July they came from near and far - from Ballarat, Bright, Geelong, Hopetoun, Yarra Junction, Wangaratta and many parts of Melbourne, the over 600 students who attended this year's Why Learn German? Year 9 and 10 Student Forum at La Trobe University, Bundoora.

A variety of presenters who spoke about their experiences learning and studying German and living and working in Germany provided the audience of Year 9 and 10 students with endless reasons why they should continue learning German. Unexpected doors are opened, career paths are enhanced, horizons grow in ways not previously expected as the opportunity to work and study in Germany presents itself, the inter-cultural skills and problem-solving skills one learns, the challenges one meets, the friends one makes along the way, - all contribute to a wonderful richness of life experience and to personal growth.

The highlight of the Forum was the presentation of the Goethe Institut / AGTV Year 10 Award to Brendan, a student from Hopetoun, who has not previously visited Germany. Brendan was awarded a 3-week GI holiday course in Germany in January 2004.