General News
21 January, 2026
Rotary Exchange student puts down roots in Horsham
Everything about Australia impressed Sofie Larsen so much during her stay as an exchange student that she returned in 2025 to visit her Horsham host families.
Sofie spent a year as a guest of Rotary Club Horsham East between 2023 and 2024 and enjoyed the weather and the people during her stay.
"I loved it all so much I knew I wanted to come back," she said.
Sofie saved for her return trip, and while she was here, she planted a tree at the Rotary Exchange Student avenue of trees on Kalkee Road.
Students are provided with a tree and a plaque to commemorate their visit, with the idea that they have left a little of themselves in Australia when they return home.
Club members say they hope it will encourage them to return to show their friends and family that there is a little piece of Australia that represents their time here.
Sofie returned to her home in Denmark on January 3 and said she'd be returning to a very different climate from the one she'd enjoyed in Australia during her two-week stay, perhaps even snow.
Sofie's father visited her during her exchange years, and she hopes to return with her parents to show them the Australia she came to love during her time in Horsham with her Rotary Club Horsham East host families.
The Exchange Student Tree Planting project aligns with Rotary Clubs around the world, which support the environment by planting trees to celebrate members' and others' events and achievements.
