Meet the Mayor and Mint

Kangaroo Statues outside the government buildings

Up and at 'em for an early commuter train to the city.  Perth has modern trains that whisk you to the city center.  It was fun being part of the commuter rush to work.  Our Friendship Force Club had an early morning reception with 54-year old Lisa Scaffidi, the first female Lord Mayor of Perth.  She addressed our group and welcomed us focusing upon the city's ties to Texas, especially Houston with its oil and gas industry.  She then treated us to an elaborate tea taking time out of her busy day to visit with us.

There is a Friendship Force Wall complete with plaques of all the clubs that visited Perth throughout the years.  We were invited to a tree planting in our honor and to view our latest addition.  See below.

Tree Planting in honor of Friendship Force Visit to Perth

The group poses at the Friendship Force wall

Later we toured the downtown area and made our way to the Mint.  In 1899 it was established as a branch of the British Royal Mint,  Today it is the only operating mint from the early gold rush days. We watched a "Gold Pour" during which 200 oz of pure gold is heated to molten temperatures and transformed into a solid gold bar.  We saw the largest gold coin in history with a large kangaroo on it worth more than $50 million.  Later that evening we were treated to dinner at the home of a member who lives in one of the skyscrapers downtown.

Talking to the Mayor

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Photos

Mayor

City of Perth

St Mary's Cathedral