After that and mindful of the darkening skies we made our way to the Visitor Centre where the Friends of Rosser Park had very kindly offered their facilities so we could have lunch on their verandah. At the end of lunch when everybody was inside listening to the Spanish speaking Secretary of the Rosser Park Friends, Mary Woods, talking about bush tucker, on cue the rainstorm arrived. By the time we were ready to leave for the Civic Centre at Bundall the rain had stopped.

Chilean ambassadors - Rosser Park

At 2.30 Ron Clarke MBE, the Mayor, welcomed our Chilean guests and the Exchange Director, Ana Rojas Barraza replied on behalf of her club members. After that the Council provided afternoon tea for all.

Sandra Molloy, Herman and Ana (Chilean Exchange Director) Barraza and Geoff Molloy, (Gold Coast Exchange Director)


Ambassadors meet Mayor Ron Clarke

That night was the Dinner Hosting night where more of our club members were able to enjoy the company of our friends from Chile while we all enjoyed some very tasty meals.

Saturday 10th
An early start at 8.30 on a beautiful sunny day to see all that Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary had to offer with one of our club members, Lance, acting as our own special guide.

AMBASSADORS COME FACE TO FACE WITH AUSSIE ICONS

Our ambassadors enjoyed themselves and some were still there after 4pm. Then a bit of a rush for some to attend Church before an evening out hosted by our ambassadors for their hosts.

Sunday 11th
Another sunny day for our day in Brisbane. Everybody met up on the train and we arrived at Southbank at 11.30 am. The Brisbane Festival was in full swing and there were lots of people enjoying the music and street acts.

Are we lost...?


Lunch in the shade


Trip on the RiverCat

By the time we had looked around it was time for a sandwich lunch under the trees and then many went to look around the Sunday market. This was followed by an enjoyable hour and a half trip on the RiverCat down to Bretts Wharf and return. Many walked to the Queensland Art Gallery and enjoyed an afternoon coffee and wandering through this beautiful gallery.

Enjoying Fish 'n' Chips

At 5.30 we headed for Kapsalis restaurant in the Southbank complex for our evening meal and at 7pm when it was dark we moved to the river bank to watch the amazing Laser Light show on the river which was a major feature of the Brisbane Festival. We were all ready for some sleep by the time we got home.

Monday 12th
Everybody met up for a yummy brunch at Currumbin Point and afterwards many went to look at the annual Swell beach sculpture exhibition.

Some SWELL scenes....

After that shopping and packing during the afternoon before getting together at the Burleigh Heads SLC for our Farewell Dinner.

“Harmony in Paradise” perform Asutralian Songs

HAPPY DINERS AT FAREWELL DINNER

Following the Harmony in Paradise singers who gave us an enjoyable rendition of some traditional Australian songs we started our dinner and later had the official photo presentations. The beautifully dressed Chileans had a surprise for us when they performed traditional Chilean Cueca dances and also some Spanish dancing.

Chilean ambassadors entertain

As the night drew to a close there was the realisation that our exchange was nearly over and we made our formal farewells.

Tuesday 13th
A very, very early start to get our ambassadors to the airport for a 6.10am departure for Sydney and then for some, on to New Zealand and others would be making the long trip home to Chile. With many hugs we made our goodbyes to our wonderful new friends from Chile.

Geoff Molloy     Exchange Director