The five places that made me: Adam Spencer

HUKA FALLS, TAUPO, NEW ZEALAND

When I was in fifth grade at Chatswood Public School in Sydney, we raised money to go on a school excursion to New Zealand. At the age of 10, the prospect of travelling internationally was very rare indeed. The highlight I remember to this day was a visit to Huka Falls, a system of waterfalls on the Waikato River that drains Lake Taupo. Just upstream from the falls, the mighty Waikato River narrows from around 100 metres across into a narrow surge only 15 metres across. At more than 200,000 litres per second, it was furiously beautiful and well worth all those raffle tickets and school chocolate wheels.

TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, IRELAND

I represented the University of Sydney at three world debating championships, made all three grand finals and lost all three. I was either pretty handy or the greatest loser ever … maybe both? The second competition was held at Trinity College within the University of Dublin and, after winning the semi-final, we visited the Old Library to see the great classic, the Book of Kells. I have a vivid memory of the richly decorated ninth century bible encased in glass case with a different page displayed every day. In this sort of location, arguing and exchanging withering put-downs with the best and brightest from Europe and the US (and for the most part beating them) was one of the thrills of my life.

TILGANGA EYE HOSPITAL, KATHMANDU, NEPAL

In 2003, I took a group of fundraisers for the Fred Hollows Foundation to Nepal to see if his work was making a difference. I will never forget sitting in a room adjacent to the theatre, while Dr Ruit and his team operated. As two eye surgeons operated, three doctors looked on, being trained to take the methods back to their homelands. I find it incredible that 80 per cent of the blindness in the world is preventable and that the same Fred Hollows who operated on my wonky eye when I was a child, has left a legacy of giving sight to millions of people from the world's poorest countries.

WANGI FALLS, LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK, NORTHERN TERRITORY

The old cliche about Aussies travelling the world and never seeing incredible stuff at home was driven home to me on a family holiday to the Northern Territory. My daughters and I spent an incredible couple of hours swimming in the cool waters at the base of the Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park. Getting in under the falls and being battered by the cold waters was an unforgettable experience.