Australia E-Flyer
August 2012
The following exchanges are open to all Ambassadors.
If you are interested in any of the following exchanges, please contact the Exchange Director whose
name and contact information is provided.
At the bottom of this flyer, you will see a list of the confirmed outbound exchanges for the Australian clubs for 2012.
Some of these are already in preparation, and if you are interested in joining one of them, it is not too early to contact
the president of the club concerned to register your interest.
For other FF travel opportunities check the FFI website, where all available exchanges can be accessed.
All prices and dates are subject to change. Exchange costs are shown in the applicable currency.
Attention all Aussie EDs!! Please keep in touch – [email protected] – with details of the current status of your outbound exchanges. This way you can be assured that vacancies will be advertised
just when they need to be – and NOT advertised when they are filled.
~Jim Haxton
35th World Conference - Hiroshima for Peace and Friendship
Date: October 31 to November 2, 2012
Cost: ¥27000 (all conference pricing is in
Japanese Yen)
Click here for the conference website
When the first atomic bomb ever to be used in war was
detonated over the city of Hiroshima, the Genbaku Dome was
the only structure left standing amid the destruction. It remains
standing today, preserved in honor of the 140,000 lives lost.
On November 1st, hundreds of Friendship Force members
from around the world will gather at the Hiroshima Peace
Memorial. As the sun sets, they will send hundreds of paper lanterns floating down the Motoyasu River, lighting up the water as
evening descends. It will be an unforgettable event, a profound
gesture of the hope we share for a more peaceful world.
The paper lantern ceremony will take place on the second day
of the 35th World Conference, which will be held on the grounds
of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. There could be no more
fitting place for Friendship Force members to explore the role
each of us can play in building a world of friends that becomes a
world of peace.
The World Conference will truly fulfill the Friendship Force
mission of promoting understanding across the barriers that
separate people. Our host club, FF Hiroshima, will lead us in exploring the Japanese culture, including origami, tea ceremonies,
historic shrines, and Taiko drumming. A Japanese-style gala will
be a perfect opportunity to enjoy friendships old and new.
Keynote speakers and workshops will provide inspiration for a
strong future for the Friendship Force, highlighting the Global Expansion Plan and presenting strategies for growing and strengthening Friendship Force clubs and leadership.
Visit the conference website and register today. Pre- and
post-conference tours and post-conference home stays are still
available.
Special Cruise Opportunities
Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage: Europe and North Africa
Embark on a cultural voyage! Friendship Force has again
partnered with Semester At Sea, arranging a special rate
for Friendship Force members to participate in next spring’s
richment Voyage. Choose from the first segment, the second segment
or the full voyage:
En-
Full Voyage: April 26 to May 25, 2013
Embark from Barcelona, Spain, and end in Southampton, England.
First Segment: April 26 to May 11, 2013
Spain, Monaco, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, France
Second Segment: May 12 to 25, 2013
France, Belgium, Netherlands, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland,
England
This voyage is expected to fill up fast! If you are interested submit this contact form by June 15, 2012, and we will
contact you with further information.
Winter Enrichment Voyage: Origins and Empires
December 8, 2012 to January 2, 2013
Bahamas, Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, California (USA)
Submit this form to receive further information.
To read more about these and other upcoming cruise opportunities, click here.
San Diego, Napa-Sonoma, and Olympia, USA
Exchange #10786
Dates: San Diego FF - 4th-11th September, 2012
Napa-Sonoma FF - 11th-18th September, 2012
Free time (in San Francisco or Seattle - optional) - 18th20th Sept., 2012
Olympia FF, Washington State - 20th-26th September, 2012
Club: Dayton, USA
Cost: Airfares - Brisbane to Los Angeles return - approx. $1,355
Internal US airfares (LA to San Diego, San Diego to NapaSonoma, and San Francisco to Seattle, Seattle to LA),
overnight hotel accommodation in San Diego and 2 nights
in San Francisco (optional) - approx. $1,000
FFI and Hosting fees - approx. $700
ED: Lance Munday - Email: [email protected]
Tel: +61 07 5523 2034
Peter Jamieson: [email protected] 07 5570 1903
San Diego is deemed one
of the most liveable cities
in the world, with an ideal
climate. It offers every kind
of activity imaginable from
world-renowned attractions, unlimited outdoor
recreation, a thriving arts &
culture community, and award-winning restaurants, etc.
The Napa/Sonoma Valley area is just an hour’s drive
north of San Francisco, and is home to nearly 400 wineries
in a landscape reminiscent of Tuscany, which is especially
beautiful in the autumn (fall).
There is a 2-1/2 days’ break before going to the third
exchange week at Olympia, Washington State. You may
wish to go to San Francisco for that time, or perhaps fly
to Seattle to look around there (Olympia is only approx.
100km or 60 miles south of Seattle, and is easily accessible
by car, bus, or train.)
Olympia has a population of only around 50,000 people,
and is the capital of Washington State. It is situated on
the southern end of the magnificent Puget Sound which
stretches for over 200km or 120 miles from opposite the
southern end of Vancouver Island to Olympia.
Kapiti Coast and Gisborne, New Zealand
Exchange: 11015
Date: October 31 to November 16, 2012
Club: Kauai, Hawaii
Cost: FFI Fees $300 USD, Host Fees $225 USD
The approximate cost for internal NZ travel and accommodations is $250 USD
Contact: Frank and Laura Marsh,
[email protected], +1-808-823-6681
Our exchange will begin with a week of home hosting
in Gisborne. Gisborne is located in the region of Eastland,
New Zealand. It’s the place where the first Polynesian
canoes landed, where Captain Cook made his first landfall
and where Maori and European first encountered each
other. And it’s the first place on mainland New Zealand to
see the sun. In this relaxed and scenic part of the country,
the world is slow. Drive along the unspoiled coastal road
and you’ll come across lots of little settlements. There is
a strong Maori life in these communities with beautifully
painted Maori churches, carved meeting-houses on the
marae and conversations in Te Reo. Stop and say ‘kia ora’
(hello). You’ll see, also, that this is a place where the most
common forms of transport are horses and bare feet!
We will then travel by bus south to Napier where we
will have two days (one night in a hotel) to explore the Art
Deco city. A national disaster resulted in Napier becoming
one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. Napier’s city
centre has the feeling of a time capsule - the seamless line
of 1930s architecture is quite extraordinary!
…and finally we will travel by bus for a week of home
hosting by the Kapiti Coast FF Club, located 60 km (37
miles) north of Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
With its backdrop of the massive Tararua Ranges, the spectacular landscape and microclimate have made the Kapiti
Coast a most desirable place to visit.
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Share the Aloha with the Kauai, Hawaii Friendship Force
ambassadors on an exchange to New Zealand’s North Island
With your hosts in Gisborne, be the first in the world to see
the light of each new day
Visit a unique Maori Arts Centre, recognized as one of the
best provincial museums in the country and Eastwoodhill, a
National Treasure arboretum, unique in the Southern Hemisphere
Travel through beautiful rural country to the Art Deco City
of Napier for a two night stay. See the largest mainland gannet
colony in the world, visit a British Car Muesum, or just relax
and enjoy panoramic ocean views from heated salt chlorinated pools
The Kapiti Coast has New Zealand’s top golf course, a world
class car museum, magnificently restored trams, easily accessible nature reserves and wonderful arts and crafts
BUNDUNG and YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA
EXCHANGE #: 10801
DATE: Early November
CLUB: Tweed Valley
PRICE: No pricing available yet
ED:
Merle Stephen - [email protected]
This is an invitation to those of you who would like to be
part of an exchange to the beautiful nation of Indonesia,
which sits upon our north-western doorstep. Come with
us for a truly cultural exchange which will be exceptional
because of the short travel time and the amazing warmth
and beauty of the Indonesian people.
Bundung (Bandung) is known as the Paris of Java and
is the 3rd largest city in Indonesia (7.4 million people the
temperatures there, year-around, a much cooler than
most other Indonesian cities. The city lies in a river basin surrounded by volcanic mountains. This topography
provides a good natural defense system, which was the
primary reason for theDutch East Indies government’s plan
to move the colony capital from Batavia to Bandung. The
area around is planted with tea.
Yogyakarta is well known as a city of great culture renowned as a centre of classical Javanese fine art and
culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry, and
puppet shows. These are the dates are confirmed, will be
Flying to Yogykarta 31st October, by train to Bandung 7th
Nov, leave Bandung14th Nov. Costs will be international &
club costs not finalized yet. All Tweed Valley club members
are flying out of Coolangatta, Some are going to Ubud,
Bali, 24th - 25th October, first, and then flying to Yogykarta, 31st October for exchange. Positions still available,
please contact Merle Stephen on above email address for
further information.
Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan
This exchange is a combined exchange with Santa Barbara, California. Santa Barbara was allocated Taipei and
Murray Bridge allocated Kaohsiung. So both clubs could
have a two club exchange it was combined by Atlanta. Click
here for the lasted exchange information.
Taipei - 9th-16th October 2012
Travel from Taipei to Kaohsiung by high speed train on
the 16th October 2012 (1hr 40min travel time estimated).
Kaohsiung - 16th-22nd October 2012
The Australian ambassadors will meet at a yet to be
nominated hotel in Taipei for an overnight stay on the 8th
October 2012 and be picked up at the hotel by our hosts.
Our US ambassadors will arrive in Taipei on the 9th October 2012 and be picked up by their hosts at the airport.
Exchange #10792
Dates: October 9th to 22nd, 2012
Club: Murray Bridge
Cost: Estimated $1650 + estimated FFI fees $450 + hotel
accommodation Taipei and Kaohsiung (if required) + preexchange optional Hong Kong tour + USD$745 for post-exchange optional tour.
ED: Jacqui Stapleton,
Email: [email protected], Ph +08 8254 7762,
Mobile: 0434 993 552
An optional tour before the exchange begins is planned
for the Australian ambassadors on the 4th-8th October
2012 to Hong Kong. Hotel is yet to be booked.
An optional post four day sightseeing tour between
Kaohsiung and Taipei proposed for the 23rd-27th October
2012 by our US ED. The cost is estimated at USD$745 per
person twin share. Click here for this itinerary proposal.
Please note the costing is based on 20 ambassadors. If less
than 20 ambassadors accept to go on the tour the cost per
person will increase. How much is unknown at this point in
time.
Hamilton and Otago, New Zealand
Exchange: 10978
Date: October 28 to November 13, 2012
Cost: FFI Fees: $250, Host Fees: $200
Plus international and internal air travel in New Zealand and
accommodation in Wellington and Auckland. The ED is
currently working these costs out; please contact the ED for
further information.
Contact: Zosia and Joseph Hunt [email protected], +1-512
349 0825
October 28- begin six night home hosting by Dunedin/
Otago Friendship Force Club. Dunedin is nestled at the
end of the Otago Harbour with an amazing array of coastal
bays and beach views. Dunedin is a city renowned for it’s
proximity to incredible wildlife. We have access to the
rare Yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho), the world’s only mainland breeding colony of the Royal Albatross and we also
have easy access to rare NZ sea lions. These are all within
a short drive of the city centre. Other not-to-be missed
attractions include the world’s steepest street - Baldwin
Street - (1:2.9), the local Speights Brewery and also the
Cadbury Chocolate factory.
November 3, Saturday – depart for three nights in Wellington the political and cultural capital of New Zealand.
Hotel to be determined. On your own for meals and entertainment.
November 6 – Board early morning train to Hamilton
to begin six or seven nights of home hosting, depending
on whether we want to have an overnight in Auckland.
Here you will have the opportunity to experience the
magnificent Hamilton gardens, Hamilton Zoo, Lake Rotoroa
domain, the museum and Art post gallery.
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Experience New Zealand’s oldest city- Dunedin, founded by
the whalers, gold miners and early Scottish settlers.
Explore the beaches and look for the exotic wildlife of the
South Island of New Zealand.
Hear the amazing tale of New Zealand’s only castle designed
and built over 100 years ago.
Day trips to the thermal centre of Rotorua and to the glow
worm caves in Waitomo.
Learn about New Zealand’s dairy and agricultural industries.
Tamworth and Gold Coast, Australia
Date: 15th - 29th November 2012.
Club: Thames Coromandel
Cost: $1700 (which includes FFI and
Club Host fees).Contact: Chris Hovell
[email protected]
+7-868 8196.
Here’s a chance to visit our Aussie
mates later this year.
We commence our first seven day
hosting at Tamworth FF Club, which
lies roughly half way between Sydney
and Brisbane in a very rich agricultural
area. Not only do they have primary
products such as dairy cattle, sheep,
poultry and beef, but also cropping
such as wheat, soya beans, cotton,
fruit and vegetables which gives the
city a very strong financial base.
When we think of Tamworth, we
think Country Music, and we should
experience the atmosphere that this
brings. But there is much more than
this. They also have for us to investigate a historical background, an
artistic culture and beautiful scenery
for us to enjoy.
We then move north to our second seven day hosting at the famous
Gold Coast. This area is so familiar to
most of us, but there is still more to
learn from our welcoming hosts.
What about a trip to the inland
mountains known as the Hinterland
or ‘the green behind the gold’. We can
walk the cool shaded rain forests and
marvel at the cascading falls and 1000
year old trees. All this while being
laughed at by the kookaburras.
Or we can visit the Wildlife Parks
and see the unique koalas, kangaroos,
lorikeets, platypus, and dingoes. Or
experience the Aboriginal culture
which goes back thousands of years.
And of course there is Dreamworld,
Seaworld, Wet’n’Wild, Outback Spectacular, Movie World - the choices are
there.
Pack your togs and join us on this
relaxed exchange.
Taupo and Western Waikato, New Zealand
EXCHANGE #: 11280
DATE: March 2013
(Approx 2 weeks, exact dates still subject to booking availability)
COST: The Exchange cost of $1250 USD includes all travel
during the Exchange, three night’s hotel accommodation and
breakfasts, all entry fees to
many attractions, the welcome and farewell functions, sundry
and FFI fees.
ED:
Colin Ridge +64-7-378 5088 [email protected]
or Gwenyth Dunford +64-7-843 5450 [email protected]
Waikato River – Mountain to the Sea’.
The New Zealand Friendship Force Clubs of Taupo and
Western Waikato invite you to a unique ecological experience travelling from the Mountains on the Central Plateau
following New Zealand’s longest River, the Waikato on its
journey to the Sea.
power – done right here in Taupo.
A visit to world famous Rotorua is not to be missed, including Maori Culture at Whakarewarewa, Ohinemutu and
the Rotorua Museum.
How about a trip on Errol Flynn’s boat the ‘Barbary’, and
a walk to famous Huka Falls, and if you feel inclined, a jet
boat ride at your cost. So much to do in Taupo.
Goodbye to your Taupo friends, and it’s an interesting
trip alongside the Waikato River to the second five days
hosting at Hamilton by the FF Club of Western Waikato.
In Hamilton, you will learn about the plans for the Waikato River from Environment Waikato including a visit to the
Huntly Power Station site, the Rangiriri site of a Maori Wars
battle, and the Waimarino Swamp or Serpentine Lake.
We meet in Auckland and start with a train trip on the
Overlander Express to National Park and on to the historic
Chateau Hotel for our first night. Here we not only enjoy the
comforts of this world class hotel, but will also learn about
New Zealand’s unique mountain ecology, National Park systems, and how the Ngati Tuwharetoa Maoris gifted this special area to the people of New Zealand.
We will spend time up the active volcano Mount Ruapehu which last erupted in 1996 and weather permitting
will chair lift to greater heights to discover an amazing vista.
And view Mount Doom for you ‘Lord of the Rings’ fans.
Then it’s on to FF Taupo for five days of local culture. Taupo is rich in thermal activity and we will visit Geysers, Mud
pools, the Wai-a-tapu Thermal area, the Volcanic Activity
Centre and not least, learn how New Zealand was the first
country in the world to harness this renewable source of
We will pay a visit to the world famous Waitomo Caves,
to Raglan with its special coastal views and Bridal Veil Falls,
to Karapiro site of the recent World Rowing Championships,
to a dairy farm, on a bush walk and to see many other local
sights.
All too soon our journey ends, and we must say goodbye
to our new friends. A short bus trip to Auckland for a last
night in a hotel, and then on to other exciting places in New
Zealand of your own choosing or back home.
This exchange will be in March 2013 (exact dates still subject to booking availability). You must find your way to and
from the Auckland hotel, and the Exchange cost of NZ$1200
includes all travel during the Exchange, three night’s hotel
accommodation and breakfasts, all entry fees to many attractions, the welcome and farewell functions, and sundry,
but does not include FFI fees which you pay direct to FFI.
Asia Pacific Festival
Adelaide, for the ASIA PACIFIC FESTIVAL and post
festival home hosting and Discover Australia tours.
Date: April 11 to 15th 2013. Plus additional days for
optional home hosting and discovery tours.
Contact: Expressions of interest to Susan or June (convenors) [email protected]
Visit ADELAIDE, South Australia for the ASIA PACIFIC
FESTIVAL followed by Australian discovery tours of the rugged beauty of the Australian Outback, Kangaroo Island or
spectacular the Great Ocean Road.
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Highlights: ASIA PACIFIC FESTIVAL
Adelaide city tours visiting the renowned Aboriginal
Artefacts at SA Museum, art and craft studios and the
vibrant Adelaide food markets. Opportunity for half
day free time or golf at the Adelaide golf course.
Barossa Valley, Australia’s premier wine growing area
and one of the world’s great wine regions acclaimed
for food, wine and cultural experiences.
Beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula touring through picturesque seaside towns to Victor Harbor. Ride the horse
drawn tram to Granite Island, view the River Murray
mouth and visit a wildlife park to see koalas and kangaroos.
Murray Bridge for historical city tour, river cruise on
Australia’s longest river and local cultural experience
organised by local Friendship Force clubs.
Post ASIA PACIFIC FESTIVAL
Four day Home hosting with South Australian Friendship
Force clubs in Adelaide, Mt Barker, Mt Gambier Murray
Bridge or Salisbury.
• Post Festival /exchange suggestions: (arrange independently through South Australian Tourism or independent companies)
• Spectacular Australian Outback trek visiting the rugged
semi-arid landscapes of the Flinders Ranges and Lake
Eyre. Sleep underground at the famous opal mining
town of Coober Pedy.
• Kangaroo Island, a pristine wilderness recently described as the “world’s best island secret”. See koalas, kangaroos, seal colonies and spectacular coastal
scenery.
• Home hosting in Mt Gambier combined with onward
travel to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road for
Estimated Cost:
$US 1,150 per person twin share. Deposit: $US 250
with registration.
Early bird registration: $US 1100 by September 30.
Includes 4 star accommodation at the Hilton Hotel,
central Adelaide - supplement for single occupancy.
(deluxe rooms extra) Breakfast, all lunches, three evening dinners and all tours are included.
Post festival: Additional four day home hosting fees
apply.
Post festival tours: Costs for tours as stated on booking with SA Tourism or independent company.
Australian Outbound Exchanges for 2012
Date
Number Details
01-03-12
10795
Perth to Shelby, Missouri-St. Louis and Greater Denver, USA
01-05-12
10787
Hobart to Malang and Semarang, Indonesia
01-05-12
10793
Newcastle, Australia to Flanders, Belgium and Cleveland County, UK
01-06-12
10781
Adelaide to Tirana, Albania and Bratislava, Slovakia
01-06-12
10784
Cairns to Hertfordshire and Sussex, UK
01-06-12
10791
Mount Gambier to Sao Jose do Rio Preto and Itanhaem, Brazil
01-08-12
10799
Sydney to Niagara and Saskatoon, CAN and Columbia Cascade, USA
01-09-12
10789
Melbourne to Limburg, Belgium and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
01-09-12
11103
Sunshine Coast to Stratford & St. Mary’s, Canada, N. Illinois and Central Virginia, USA
01-09-12
10783
Bundaberg to Nelson and South Taranaki, New Zealand
01-09-12
10788
Kempsey to Shelby, Kansas and Central Arizona, USA
01-09-12
10794
North Moreton to Penticton-Okanagan, Canada, Utah and Sacramento, USA
01-09-12
10786
Gold Coast to San Diego, Napa-Sonoma and Olympia, USA
01-09-12
10796
Mount Barker & Salisbury-N.Districts, to Saitama, JPN, Nicosia, CYP and Varel, GER
01-10-12
11200
Southern Sydney to Christchurch and Marlborough, New Zealand
Australian Outbound Exchanges for 2013