By now our Brazilian friends have returned home, but during their visit with us they proved to be a wonderful, happy group of Ambassadors - very friendly, cooperative and full of fun.

I extend my special thanks to my hard-working Exchange Committee - Ted & Marie, Terry & Maureen, Beth, Patricia & Jean; and all the Hosts for a job well done! It was good to hear that first time Hosts Elaine & Peter, and Neville & Judy enjoyed the experience.

I also extend my thanks to Dinner & Day Hosts; and to David for his talks, Eric & Joy for the use of their home and Nada for her music at the Farewell Dinner.

It was nice to have non-hosting members, especially some of our newer members, joining in a number of our activities.

Our programme of activities, plus a week of great weather, provided our visiting Ambassadors with an interesting and enjoyable week. They seemed to enjoy everything we had organised for them, and we soon learnt that they loved to sing.

We had our first look at the new Gold City Council Chambers at Evandale, when Mayor Ron Clarke met with our group.

The planting of a second Queensland Kauri Pine for a Friendship Force group in the new Regional Botanical Gardens at Rosser Park was well received by the Brazilians, who sang a special song they had selected for the occasion.

It was nice also to be able to enjoy a delightful picnic lunch with 30 members of the Brisbane Club at Mowbray Park, and the assistance by Jo of Brisbane Club was greatly appreciated.

The Observation Drive proved to be quite popular and was won by Eduardo & Ana from Brazil, and was capped off by a tasty lunch in the spacious gardens of Woodward's home at Mount Tamborine.

At the Farewell Dinner I was presented with a lovely book on Curitiba, which was signed by all Ambassadors, and our visitors handed out scarves using “Charades” to find the recipients.

The day at Fleays capped off the week as delighted Ambassadors saw Australian animals and birds up close, and watched Aboriginal Dancers.

On the final Wednesday morning many hugs and kisses were exchanged, and then the Brazilians and Australians took it in turns singing songs until the doors closed and the train departed for Brisbane Airport. - Brian Hallam - Exchange Director