Seven visiting ambassador members of the Tarapoto Peru Friendship Force delegation were treated to a rose planting ceremony in the Friendship Force Rose Garden and a welcoming reception by Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin OAM.


The visiting members were hosted by the Mount Gambier and District Friendship Force who have hosted overseas visitors for 40 years since their first exchange with the Phoenix Friendship Force in 1984.


Mount Gambier and District Friendship Force members have been hosted around the world in Japan, Africa, Vietnam, New Zealand, America and Canada through the program.


During their nearly week-long visit, the Tarapoto Peru Friendship Force members visited the Englebrecht Cave, Warrock Homestead, Piccaninie Ponds, the Blue Lake, the Little Blue Lake and watched pine felling.


Mount Gambier and District Friendship Force host coordinator Karen McGregor said every time they hosted overseas visitors, they incorporated new tourist attractions interspersed with regular favourites.


“We always take them to the volcano movie, Blue Lake Pumping Station and the Lady Nelson Tourist Interpretive Centre,” she said.


“Most times if we go to Penola we will always do the Mary MacKillop Museum and we take them down Petticoat Lane to show them all the old things etc.


“If we go to Millicent we take them to the marvellous Millicent Museum and sometimes we will take them on to Beachport and take them along the coast there which is just beautiful.


“It depends on which direction we are going and because they’re only here for six days we’re not going to Millicent this time.”