We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to Joan Sturch and Dian Kuzyk. They joined us this last month at the Dutch Mill & Country Market to share their adventures on the Friendship Grant in Australia. We were dazzled and amazed by the beauty of the countryside and the generosity of their guides.
Dian Kuzyk and I travelled to the Soroptimist Region of South Queensland, Australia part of Federation of Soroptimimst International of the Southwest Pacific. Our “Grant of Friendship” saw us spend three weeks in Australia, being home hosted by members of the following clubs: SI Brisbane South, SI Beenleigh, SI Toowoomba, SI Gold Coast, SI Bayside, SI Pine Rivers, SI Logan, SI Brisbane North.
We spent three or four days at each club and were toured around to various historic, cultural and natural sites. Some of the places visited and activities done: Brisbane Botanic Gardens; Mount Tamborine (scenic lookout), Rocky Point Mill – sugar cane operation; Toowoomba Festival of Flowers; Lamington National Park in the Green Mountains (nature walk); North Stradbroke Island for swimming and a “barby”; Brisbane Art Gallery; Brisbane Symphony Orchestra performance; Brisbane city tour; Australia Zoo; John Oxley Reserve nature walk and Osprey House visit, to name just a few!
We were kept very busy and were entertained so well that Dian and I started to call ourselves the “Queens of Queensland!” Our Soroptimist host clubs and members were the nicest and most welcoming of anyone you could ever meet.
We were also entertained with potluck dinners and lunches, getting the chance to meet sister Soroptimists. We talked about our Canadian programmes and they shared theirs with us. The conclusion is that even though we are a “world apart” geographically, we are so much the same, as women. Our goals are the same as sister Soroptimists too; helping to improve the lives of women and girls! – Joan Sturch
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- sleepy koala at the Australia Zoo
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- Brsibane Botanic Gardens
Thank you also to Sandy and her daughter Erin, who made Valentines earrings ($4-5 per pair). All proceeds from sales will be split between the Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre and our club! Great gift not only for yourself but your special friends, family or deserving co-workers! View more online »