By Lucy Waldron
The small town of Amiens, Australia recently played host to visitors from its French counterpart.
A team from Wake Up Amiens, a community and local media outlet based in Amiens, France, made a memorable visit to the small town of Amiens in Australia.
The trip was part of a special project aimed at creating a series of reports to showcase the Australian town to their French audience in October.
Quentin Lagrost, a member of the Wake Up Amiens team, shared his excitement about the visit.
“Our mission is to promote the city of Amiens, its residents, and its events,” he said,
“Visiting Amiens in Australia gave us a unique opportunity to connect with a community that shares our name and spirit.”
The team’s itinerary was packed with meaningful interactions and local experiences.
They met with Colleen and Roger Willis, who acted as their guides during the trip and had the privilege of meeting the mayor, visiting St Joseph’s School, and exploring local attractions such as wineries and Lake Amiens, where they learned about the flora and fauna from local residents Alec and Tim Harslett.
One of the highlights of the visit was a stop at the Amiens Legacy Centre, where the group gained insight into the town’s history and connection to World War I.
They also attended the annual fundraising event hosted by the local association.
But for Quentin, it was the hospitality of the people that left the biggest impression.
“The warmth we experienced in Australia was incredible,” he said.
“Whether it was the Australian barbecue at Roger and Colleen’s home, where we shared stories and watched films, or the magical evening around the fire with Joe and Lizzie Sabo, under the breathtaking Milky Way—it was truly unforgettable.”
Reflecting on the differences and similarities between the two Amiens, Quentin noted, that the size of the community here is smaller, life moves at a slower pace and seeing kangaroos in the backyard was also quite a surprise.
As for the similarities between the namesakes, warmth, great wine and good company, stuck out to the group.
The reports created by Wake Up Amiens will soon be shared with their audience in France, giving a glimpse of the unique charm and community spirit of Amiens, Australia.
The visit marked a deepening of cultural ties between the two namesake towns, proving that, despite the distance, they have more in common than just their name.
