Southern hospitality warms pilgrims

By BRENDAN CRABB

WORLD Youth Day pilgrims from a number of countries spent the past week enjoying the many attractions of the Illawarra.

More than 1500 pilgrims – many of them aged between 18 and 30 – visited the South Coast region last week in the lead-up to World Youth Day, with many staying throughout this week while others headed to Sydney to take part in the celebrations.

Close to 100 pilgrims from Scotland, Germany and other nations were billeted in homes throughout Warrawong and Berkeley, with dozens more staying in and around Lake Illawarra, Shellharbour and Oak Flats.

In between visits to the local diocese and participating in various activities within the community, pilgrims visited local landmarks, such as Killalea State Park for an afternoon tea.

Others attended a social day at Wollongong University last Friday, or visited the “Everything Aussie Festival” at Wollongong’s Lang Park on Saturday while many watched their first ever rugby league match on Sunday, when St George Illawarra took on the Canberra Raiders at WIN Stadium.

Fathers John Morrison and Steven Baillie, both parish priests from Glasgow, Scotland, stayed in Warrawong and said they enjoyed the “beautiful country” and hospitality of its people.

It was the first visit to Australia for both and they had only positive things to say.

“We’ve been welcomed with open arms and nothing but kindness,” Fr Morrison said.

“It’s a great experience, just meeting with different families and mixing and relating to people,” Fr Baillie said.

Fr Baillie also spoke of the massive scope of the event in comparison with the drawing power of others on a worldwide scale.

“No pop star, movie star, sports star or other public figure has brought this many people together: only the Pope can do it,” he said.

The NSW Minister for Tourism, Matt Brown, said that he was pleased with the welcome the pilgrims had received throughout the region.

“As South Coast families welcome pilgrims into their homes and join in the celebration, it is the perfect time to share their local knowledge about our regional attractions and inspire international visitors to travel throughout our wonderful state,” he said.

He also spoke of the other benefits the event would have for the Illawarra region.

“The international pilgrims are expected to spend almost $300 each at local stores and attractions,” Mr Brown said.

“This is a healthy injection of cash into the local economy and is good news for local tourist operators.”