Inbound Exchange from Colonial Carolina, USA
9 - 15 September, 2007
 GOLD COAST EXCHANGE COMMITTEE WITH COLONIAL CAROLINA E.D. From left: Sandra & Geoff Molloy (Gold Coast E.D.'s,) Patricia Richardson Centre: Carol Shields (Colonial Carolina), Maureen & Terry Miners At the end of their stay with the Bundaberg Club our ambassadors and some members of the Bundaberg club travelled by bus to the Gold Coast, arriving at the Exchange Director's home in the late afternoon of Sunday 9th September. The Ambassadors (2 couples and 5 ladies from Colonial Carolina and 1 from Florida Suncoast Club) were later welcomed at an enjoyable Pot Luck Dinner at Mermaid Beach Community Hall.
 Getting Acquainted Top of Page After a leisurely start on Monday, Hosts & Ambassadors met at the home of one of our members where they enjoyed a boat ride around the nearby canals and then relaxed over drinks and a pleasant lunch.   An Enjoyable Trip on the “Misty Belle”
 Time to Eat - Again....! Deborah, Sue, Carol-Ann, & Carol The rest of the day and evening were free for our Ambassadors to start exploring the Gold Coast and get to know their hosts.  USA Visitors Relax in Council Chamber   President & Exchange Director for Colonial Carolina Exchange Gifts with Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke  Greetings from Mayor of Washington, North Carolina & Key of City  What a Happy Group  Enjoying Morning Tea Following the Mayoral Welcome and morning tea, the group made its way to Rosser Park where everyone took part in the tree planting in the Friendship Grove.  And That's How You Plant a Tree......!  Certificate Presented to Colonial Carolina Club  Meeting Some of the Local Fauna  Admiring the Recently Planted Rose Garden   Stunning Flowering Gum & “Double Delight” Rose Specimen The tree finally planted, the relaxed group wandered through the gardens, admiring a wide variety of flora, including the Rotary Club's Sensory Garden and colourful annuals, the ducks and water birds on the lake adding to the overall ambiance.Then it was time for lunch!   What a Lovely Spot for a Picnic. There is defintely a bird up in those trees........  ....Yes! A Lorikeet - & a Hollow Branch After a relaxing picnic lunch in the park, the afternoon was free for more exploring, with Ambassadors, some Hosts and members rounding off the day by enjoying the excitement of the Australian Outback Spectacular show. The Outback Spectacular was great entertainment and we all enjoyed the show and the meal.   Getting into the Outback Mood   Love those Yellow Hatbands - Heading into “Austral Downs”  Yee-Hah...!  One Last Group Photo - a Great Night Who is That Ring-in from “Wondoola Station”....? Top of Page Wednesday was a superb calm, sunny day of about 23C (73F), and a scrumptious BBQ Breakfast of bacon, eggs cooked in a hole in toast, served with tomatoes and onions, plus fruit and coffee, was enjoyed by all at Burleigh Beach.
Warren Young, Chief Gold Coast Lifesaver, informed our visitors on various aspects of surf lifesaving on the Gold Coast and gave us a few laughs as well.
 Mt Warning from Tweed Regional Art Gallery We then went on an interesting “Drive and Find” expedition as we made our way along the coast to Point Danger for morning tea and sought answers to the questions on our list along the way. Tumbulgum and Murwillumbah Information Centre proved to be further stops of interest as we continued south to Tweed Regional Art Gallery. After a tour of the Gallery, we enjoyed the lovely views of the Tweed Valley as we relaxed over café lunch on the verandah. Dinner Hosting at various members' homes capped off another enjoyable and memorable day.   Getting Together for Dinner with non-hosting Members Thursday was a free day for Ambassadors and hosts to arrange their own activities and from all accounts the day was as enjoyable as it was varied.  Enjoying Devonshire Tea  Off to Visit the Glow Worm Cave  Lake at Beautiful Cedar Creek Winery & Glow Worm Park  Sausage Sizzle.....!  Sheltering in the Middle of a Giant Upturned Tree Root  Ambassadors in the Aussie Bush  Some of the Aussies Top of Page What an enjoyable, action packed day - there was just time to rush home and prepare for the Farewell Dinner that night at Visions Restaurant. As well as enjoying a delicious Australian bushtucker themed dinner we were entertained by the Colonial Carolina Ambassadors, the results of the “Find & Drive” were announced, and the respective Exchange Directors (and Presidents) summed up the past week of fun and friendship with many kind words.
 Terry Wins the “Celebrity Heads” Game  Sylvia Plays the “Crab Song”  Colonial Carolina Perform the “Crab Song”........!!!!
Next morning, Sat 15th was the really hard part of any exchange when we had to say goodbye to our new friends at the station. With one of our exchange directors they travelled to the airport and then onto their flight home. And so ended just five days of fun and friendship with many laughs along the way, during which we were blessed with perfect weather. A very memorable exchange and some of our hosts and ambassadors have already made arrangements to get together again next year.  Robina Railway Station ...... Farewell ...... Exchange Directors Geoff & San |
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