Rotarians from Oz make most of port

Fleetwood's fishing heritage was at the centre of a visit by Rotarians from Down Under.
Fleetwood Rotarians welcome their Australian counterparts on boardFleetwood Rotarians welcome their Australian counterparts on board
Fleetwood Rotarians welcome their Australian counterparts on board

Six couples from the Rotary clubs of Camberwell and Bendigo in Melbourne, Australia, came to town and the invitation of the Fleetwood club.

The visitors, from Victoria District 9800, were on a Rotary fellowship exchange in conjunction with the North West Region of Rotary Clubs.

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Rotary Fellowships are independent groups of Rotarians and family members who share a common passion, such as travel.

Being part of a fellowship is seen as a fun way to make friends from around the world.

The group’s busy schedule included a tour of the Jacinta heritage trawler and a talk on the vessel by Rotarian and Jacinta trustee Lionel Marr.

They were then treated to a history of ‘Fishermen’s Friend’ lozenges and were able to sample some of the town’s most famous exports.

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Following a tour of the premises, a fish and chip lunch was organised before the group went on to visit the Fleetwood Nautical Campus.

Group leader of the Australian delegation, Peter Pratt, said: “The exchange programme is growing in popularity, and for us to visit in a group like this allows us to experience more; and have a fantastic experience.

“We learn a lot about the places we visit.”

Following on from the Fleetwood visit the group are to continue on to Lytham St Anne’s and Blackpool, where they will visit the circus and Grand Theatre.

They will then be greeted by Carlisle and Clitheroe Rotary clubs before finally visiting Liverpool.

Malcolm Lewis, public relations officer for Fleetwood Rotary Club, said: “It was wonderful to have the opportunity of welcoming this group to Fleetwood and we were proud to show them our town.”