Travellers from Brandon, Canada, are experiencing the best of Bundaberg this week as they explore the region with their own local tour guides.
The group of 13 are part of an organisation called Friendship Force International. They've come to stay with their Bundaberg counterparts for an adventure as much about travel as it is about friendship.
What is Friendship Force?
Friendship Force International provides opportunities for members to explore new countries and cultures from the inside, by bringing people together at the personal level.
Through the signature program of home hospitality, local hosts welcome international visitors into their culture, sharing with them meals, conversation, and the best sights and experiences of their region.
Bundaberg trip
Friendship Force Bundaberg secretary Denise Schneider said her club was hosting the Canadian ambassadors for a week and had created an amazing program full of fun activities within the region.
“We have taken them out to Mon Repos already and during the week we will visit the Botanic Gardens and Fairymead House,” she said.
“In the gardens we have what is called the Friendship Grove which includes trees that we plant each time a group visits us- to commemorate that group.”
Lynda Nay-Kamann is one of the Canadian members travelling around Bundaberg and said the trip had so far been amazing.
“It has been such an awesome experience to see a little more of Australia,” she said.
“The awesome thing about Friendship Force is the group here enables us to experience the best of your community.”
Lynda said this trip was extra special as most of the members from both Bundaberg and Canada had met once before.
“The Bundaberg group came to visit our part of the world in 2015,” she said.
“Now, this tip has provided us a nice opportunity to meet with them again and reconnect.
“We get to rekindle the friendship.”
Council visit
The group made a stop in to Bundaberg Regional Council on their travels to meet councillors and discuss future plans for the region.
Division 8 councillor Steve Cooper hosted the event and said it was an honour to show off the region to the visitors.
“We live in a beautiful part of the world and we are so lucky to have groups like the Friendship Force active in Bundaberg to help us spread the word about what we have to offer,” he said.
“Council wishes all of our Canadian visitors safe travels and we hope you enjoy all that our wonderful region has to offer.”
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