Left: Bob O’Neill received a thank you gift from Feng Zhimin, assistant president of Ningbo University.By Kath Gannaway
A DELEGATION of Chinese academics escaped from the pressures of business with a visit to Katandra Gardens in Wandin recently.
The 19 visitors from the Chinese Academic and Graduate Education Development Centre experienced some genuine Australian hospitality courtesy of Katandra owners Bob and Dot O’Neill.
Katandra, an award-winning Australian native garden, was chosen by Xin Tan, project manager of the Australian-China International Association, as the ideal place for the delegates to enjoy some rest and recreation Aussie-style.
Mr O’Neill said the group appreciated the opportunity to relax away from their busy work schedule and relished the chance to experience the scents, colours and feel of the Australian native plants and an Australian barbecue.
The visitors showed their appreciation by presenting Mrs O’Neill with a beautiful Wensli silk scarf and Mr O’Neill with a set of ancient Chinese music bells.
“Visits such as this can only serve to make the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges a preferred tourist destination for Chinese tourists in the future,” Mr O’Neill said.
