Monday 21st March: began when the 9 ladies from Hannover arrived in Mount Gambier on a drizzly Monday afternoon. That evening we held a Welcome Pot Luck tea in our clubrooms and many of our club members attended to help extend a very warm welcome. Each ambassador was presented with a bag of goodies, including a boomerang, Tim-Tams, lamingtons, vegemite sample, the club pin, an AFL pen (Collingwood!) and a few other treasures. Kirsten and Elisabeth were guests on local radio station 5GTR FM for part of the German program.
Tuesday 22nd March: morning we first visited Umperston Sink Hole and then had our picnic lunch in the Valley Lake area followed by a visit to the Wildlife Park where many kangaroos were sited. During the afternoon, the Mayor Steve Perryman, helped with the rose planting in our Friendship Force rose garden and then presided over the Civic Reception afternoon tea. Kirsten (ED) presented the Mayor with a painting and plate from the Mayor in Hannover. Next stop was a few steps away at the new city library. Everyone was most impressed with the multi-million dollar facility.
Wednesday 23rd March: saw us up and out to the Saleyards quite early to eat a stockmans' big breakfast before viewing the cattle auction. Manager of the complex, Mike gave us all a brief history of the site and even had the ladies climb up and sit in one of the huge cattle trucks. From there we travelled across town to the limestone quarries which the visitors found fascinating (even in the sloppy damp conditions). Next visit was to Engelbrecht Cave and we enjoyed a snack lunch there before heading off to the Lady Nelson Tourist Information Centre to see the interactive displays and view the excellent video. That evening all of the hosts and their ambassadors were hosted by other club members for the evening meal.
Thursday 24th March: morning there was another early start to the day at the McEwens home in the countryside, for breakfast. All enjoyed the hearty breakfast and all were most impressed with Rorys' huge pumpkins he is growing for the 'biggest pumpkin' annual competition. (ED's Kirsten & Glenys were guests on the local ABC radio station) On the road back into the city, a stop was made to view the very old German cemetery and then the tour continued to the new Independent Learning Centre which was a surprising facility to some locals as well as the visitors. After lunch Rory gave a pleasant 'old city' walk and then we all gathered at the TAFE/UNI SA building. Some members of the group were pampered with manicures and nail painting by the trainees and other members were involved with felt making in the arts section. Then we all gathered in the restaurant to be served coffee & tea by the apprentices of the hospitality industry. That evening the ambassadors took their hosts out to the International Hotel for a wonderful meal and an enjoyable 'get-together'.
Friday 25th March: was our excursion day and we set off towards Tantanoola. We visited the herb farm and were informed of the history of the farm as we toured through the many houses of herbs growing hydroponically. Everyone came away with a bag full of different herbs which were put to good use for the evening meal and even breakfast next morning. From the herb farm we toured the Tantanoola Cave which was a very popular venue with the ambassadors. We then toured cross country up the mile hill (photo stop) and through Glencoe and Kalangadoo to the Nangwarry Timber Museum. So on to Penola to the Mary McKillop Interpretive Centre. Here we enjoyed a wonderful light lunch and then spent time going through the impressive exhibition. The free time after that visit was spent mainly in the old Petticoat Lane inspecting the old homes and also in the main town centre at the art studios.
Saturday 26th March: with a late start we set off towards Nene Valley to the ultra-futuristic robot dairy. Imagine cows deciding when they were to be milked? Picture the automatic robot udder washer and cupper! We were all astonished and very impressed – and we thought that rotary dairies were great before we visited this new type of dairy! From that experience we motored on to the home of Carol & Tom Megaw in their lovely home overlooking the beach. There we enjoyed a tasty BBQ with salads followed by sweets. The German ladies sang for us and then we all sang Happy Birthday to Tom. After the meal, the owners of 4WDs took passengers for a drive in the dunes and along the beach. In the evening we all attended the local German/Italian Friendship dinner dance in the local clubrooms.
Sunday 27th March: was a free day and some ambassadors did their washing and packing while others had a final chance to see some sights which were not included in the weeks' activities. That evening we had our farewell dinner at the Presidential Hotel where the ambassadors were surprised to meet our Mayor again (Steve & his wife are the new owner/managers of that hotel.) The ladies sang some German folklore songs and our club introduced them to "2-Up" - fun was had and prizes won! Our club presented the Hannover Club with our bannerette and we thanked them very much for the wonderful week. We were so pleased to be able to return the hospitality their club showed us last year when we were in their city.
Monday 28th March: well all good things come to an end. This good week ended (after many hugs) with the ambassadors boarding the flight to Melbourne on their way to their next exchange in Bundaberg.
Farewell Hannover - you are very welcome to return at any time.