Australia: Report from Townsville City in Queensland State

Falun Dafa practitioners from Bowen helped to celebrate "Falun Dafa Day" at Townsville and Thuringowa, which are located in north Queensland State, Australia. Soon after that, due to the enormous interest from local residents, practitioners decided to launch a practice site at Townsville. Right after the practice site was established, more than 50 people showed interest, hoping to learn Falun Gong. The director of a local Chinese organization also hoped to introduce Falun Gong to local Chinese organizations. Both the mayor and vice-mayor of Thuringowa are very supportive of Falun Gong and recommended some local government officials whom the practitioners could contact.

The Townsville City government agreed that practitioners could select a practice site. Practitioners chose Anzac Park, which is located at the beach and many people come by on weekends for walking and picnicking. Practitioners notified all people who showed interest, and published an article with pictures to introduce Falun Gong in a local newspaper. As suggested by local residents, the first exercise teaching started at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, 2002, and more than 50 people came to learn at that time. Moreover, people who came also said their friends wanted to learn Falun Gong. Many passersby came up to watch, and find out what it was.

Three practitioners from Bowen demonstrated the exercises, and showed others how to do them. Many people learned very fast, and many also felt a strong energy field. Almost everyone said these exercises made people relaxed and very peaceful. A woman said, "I have never been so good as today ever since my son was born." When this session ended, people said they would come again to learn next week.

The practitioners were very appreciative seeing so many people finding the practice that they had been awaiting for many years.