Some Mount Gambier Friendship Force members had been to Newcastle for FF and Lions Clubs events in recent years and said how friendly their people are, so when we were encouraged to go "on a domestic", thirteen of us set off. Brian from Mount Barker joined us, being the only member of another club to take advantage of the invitation sent out to all other SA clubs

Some of us had left Mount Gambier the previous day, and travelled by car, then bus, then train to get to Melbourne, then an overnight stay in Melbourne. Then train, plane to Newcastle.

The return trip was car, train overnight in Sydney, train, plane, bus, train, bus, car / taxi to home again.

I felt it had been an around the world trip!! The River Hunter and the coal-loading ships that came into the river, were a surprise to me. (Up to 40 ships can be parked offshore waiting their turn to be tugged into the coal-loading wharf one day I counted 14 ships). The grain ships loading directly from silos at the South Australian wharfs, must be an easier task for a ship's captain to manoeuvre into.

Wednesday 21st October: the domestic journey (alias exchange) began at the airport. No passports or currency journeys needed!! What an easy way to travel! It is always great to arrive as a team, in uniform shirts!! We were very cheerily welcomed by Newcastle club, at the Williamstown airport near Newcastle.

We were given a printed 'Newcastle Friendship Force' bag with the Journey Programme and some sample products (not coal)!! Thank you. It became evident to us that the week's programme was delegated to a committee with individual responsibilities for each day's events. Perhaps that is something we can try!

The rivers, the beaches and the Lakes seemed to be the pivot of our journey, and the recreational life in Newcastle generally. It was novel for us to use the ferry trips during the week, even just over the river to Stockton, and further to Tea Gardens.

The 'Shipwreck Walk' with very informative guide Roger H, is a treasure of sunken ships (some of 200 wrecks in the area) embedded in the concreted and rocky breakwater.

We watched a coal-loader in the River, being nudged out to sea by a sturdy tugboat as we walked the 'Walk'; and the 'Maritime Museum' was also fascinating.

We enjoyed having the chance to meet more Newcastle members who came to activities during the week, and to be with new members and non-home hosting members, who were the 'day' hosts and 'evening meal' hosts. This created a diverse programme for the ambassadors to chat about each time we re-grouped.

Trips to the beaches, beach caves, coastal towns (with cruising whales!), scenic spots, museums, Antique centres, local markets (wow – plants, great fruit and vegetables), re-cycle shops (loved Wallsend!) the Cathedral, Leagues Clubs, flash hotels, Hunter Valley Gardens, etc were visited by some.

Some went as far as Sydney, Morpeth, Pokolbin, Terrigal, and The Entrance. Thank you to the day hosts for taking us. Some of us were surprised by the heat, and a few had a swim or two during the 7 days.

The time and cost of travel urged us to take in more of the area pre and post-journey.

Robin and Marie did that with a hire car and travelled as far as Port Macquarie.

Annette, Beth and Stephanie spent a few days in Sydney and Glenys and Vicki had a few days north in Tuncurry and Forster.

Thank you to the Newcastle HOME HOSTS: Lynne, Elaine & Norm, Fay, Robyn, Rosemary, Eleanora & Ron, Clayton and Betty, Anne & Mark, Sue and Mavis.

Thanks to the very co-operative and fun Mount Gambier SA members: Vicki (ED), Judy and Roger, Doreen and Alistair, Robin and Marie, Glenys, Beth, Annette, Maureen and Brian of the Mount Barker SA club for your Friendships.

Particular thanks to Lynne Hain and her committee: Mike and Hilary, Sue, Leslie, Rosemary, John and Ann, Val, Robin and Fay for their wonderful organization.

You have given us wonderful memories, in print and in our minds!

"WE can make a difference! And we did!