Transitplus and The Aldgate Community Centre (The Hut) recently sponsored an excursion for the Vietnamese families living in Lobethal. The orientation tour was organised as an opportunity for the families to see their wider Adelaide Hills community and for the families, in particular the children, to experience a bit of Australiana and see koalas, kangaroos etc and get an idea of all the towns that make up the Adelaide Hills.

Many of the families have not had the opportunity because of lack of transport and little English to visit venues outside of their community. Transitplus generously provided a bus and a Vietnamese driver, Henry (to help with translation), and The Hut helped support entry into the Gorge Wildlife Park. Activities included a trip to Warrawong to learn about Australian spiders and reptiles and the children were able to handle a very large python!

Another highlight of the day was a visit to the Hahndorf Fruit and Vegetable Market where the families learnt all about local fruit and veg and also had a tour of historic Hahndorf. Both the Gorge Wildlife Park and Warrawong kindly reduced their entry fees by half to enable the families to see the abundance of wildlife and the Gorge Wildlife Park even offered a Koala “cuddling” experience for the children free!

Approximately 30 people, including many of the children, came along. A great day was enjoyed by all with the children singing all the way home! Thanks must go to all sponsors and supports of this wonderful cause!

Pictured: the whole group enjoying the Gorge Wildlife Park; Linh with a water dragon at the Warrawong Sanctuary; Huan Ly with an albino kangaroo at the Gorge Wildlife Park.