Ollie from Hong Kong

I recently had Ollie, from HK, join me for a shift on Arrivals at International. She is finishing a Masters here in Brisbane involving tourism and administration, and was the most lovely person to work with. It was terrific having her on hand to help with Cantonese speaking passengers - I usually have to seek assistance from other Ambassadors when I strike a completely non English speaking passenger with a problem.

This morning I had a breakfast at the airport as part of the annual 'Passion Days' run by BAC (Brisbane Airport Corporation). These days are designed to connect the very many people and divisions working at Airport who almost never meet. Today was the second of four breakfast meetings. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to be exposed to a large cross section of Airport. The six Ambassadors this morning left with a gift bag containing, amongst other items, a cloth cap (with BNE Airport on it of course) and a very cute kangaroo dressed in old pilot's clothing, manufactured for the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service). I continue to average two four hour shifts a week and enjoy it very much. This week one of our Ambassadors flew out on the inaugural service of China Southern from Brisbane direct to Guangzhou (old Canton). It is Asia's largest airline and third largest in the world - a member of Star Alliance. Its three flights a week will expand next March to seven and bring in a much welcomed boost to our tourism.

This week I caught up with Kay back from Greece and England and plan on catching up with Peter and Bernadette, back from their annual three months in Europe. Karen, our friend who has moved to California, is back and we get to see her around the 8th. Our other Kay, the one I went to Shanghai with last month, is staying tomorrow night before heading off to NZ - so it's all been go around here with friends coming and going. Last weekend we entertained a chap from North Queensland we met some time ago, and with him were two guys from Vancouver here at a conference. It's a never dull around here.