EXCHANGE NEWS

The Friendship Force Of Winnipeg
Visits Australia 

Sachitha Attawar - March 30, 2003 

Sunday, March 30th was the first day that all Winnipeg "ambassadors" were reunited in Sydney, marking the beginning of our journey together to Central Coast and Perth. Ten of us had arrived in Australia at different times. Joan Hodgson, Aruna Hall, Twyla Forbes and myself had arrived a week ahead, and had a fabulous time visiting Adelaide and Melbourne on our own. We met the rest of the crew - the Keenans, Havixbecks and Spracklins - at the Quality Hotel in Sydney. Some our Central Coast hosts had come by tour bus to greet us and give us a tour of Sydney. 

Sydney is a magnificent city. The sights of this city never failed to amaze us, with each tour we took. We passed some spectacular beaches including Dee Why Beach, Manley Beach and Collaroy Beach on our way from Sydney to Central Coast. En route, we stopped for a break at a park where our well-organized hosts provided us with a hearty lunch of hot drinks and sandwiches they had brought with them. This was our first opportunity to try the famous vegemite sandwich, which apparently no visitor should leave Australia without tasting. Vegemite, a healthy spread made out of yeast extract, has a peculiar taste and takes some getting used to. After lunch, we drove on through the scenic countryside to Gosford where the rest of our hosts were waiting for us. When we got off the bus, we had a big laugh as we stepped down onto a real red carpet laid down by our hosts. This Central Coast welcome made us feel like actual celebrities. Our host, Susan Burrough, gave Twyla and I a warm welcome and big hug on our first meeting. Susan drove us to her beautiful home surrounded by lush forest, which is part of a national park near Pearl Beach. At Susan's home, we were treated to a hearty home- cooked meal including fresh oyster and jumbo prawn appetizers before relaxing for the rest of the evening. This was a wonderful beginning for the rest of our week in Central Coast.

The Friendship Force Of Winnipeg
Sao Paulo Exchange 

What a great week we had with our Brazilian ambassadors! The Welcome Pot Luck Dinner got the week off with a bang. The food was wonderful, R.C.M.P. Cpl. Joanne Keeping in her red serge was a big hit with our visitors and they were amazed at our winter outerwear fashions. 

On their first day we showed them some of the city highlights such as the Legislative Building, The Forks and the Manitoba Museum, which they enjoyed. The second day was a country day and they were able to see some of our beautiful Prairie farmland, visited Fairholme Hutterite Colony and Spruce Woods Provincial Park and the Spirit Sands. The ladies at the Hutterite Colony served typical colony fare and the young women gave us a lovely concert. 

Thanks to eleven guests who joined us for the day the bus trip was a financial success as well. Our Friday agenda showed the ambassadors that we have a vibrant fishing industry when we toured the Freshwater Fish Marketing Agency. Those of us locals who had the opportunity to visit were amazed that such an operation exists in Winnipeg. Our Brazilian guests got to experience -22 degrees in the Freshwater freezer as an example of our winter temperatures! The seafood lunch at Club Regent was a great way to end our fishery day. 

The Mystery Car Rally was a fun new event which took us to some of the interesting places around the outskirts of Winnipeg and we enjoyed a nice picnic lunch and games of great skill at Bird's Hill Park along the way. The free days were spent by ambassadors and hosts in various ways -visiting Oak Hammock, Gimli, cottages in the Whiteshell or Lake of the Woods, art galleries, farms or shopping etc. The Farewell Dinner at The Hitchin Post was a big hit with the ambassadors. They loved the décor and atmosphere and the square dancing was a favorite. Although some did not speak English the ambassadors managed to do very well with the dancing. 

Tuesday was a difficult day with their departure for Quebec City. There were many hugs, kisses and tears as new friends had to say goodbye. Was it only a week since we met? All of us felt like very old friends and in the years ahead the friendships will continue.