The Australian Flag

Bridget Spinks, 22, Communications Officer for eBenedict.org has been working on making sure that thousands of pilgrims around the world are informed about what is happening here in the host city, Sydney, for WYD.

1.   What's the connection between WYD, your country and you?

When I got back from a year of exchange in Spain in mid January, so many people I knew were working on WYD or were involved in some way here in Sydney. So when the opportunity came up to manage a website that would communicate news to Sydney pilgrims as well as "to the ends of the earth," (the world I had just left behind), I cancelled some of my studies to get involved and spread the word online!

This will be my first WYD and I'm so fired up to welcome the Pontiff & all our international & national visitors come pilgrims. 

2.   How many pilgrims are coming to Sydney from your country?

I think 50,000 - 100,000 pilgrims - haven't heard the latest figures!

3.   What are some of the main Dioceses, cities and groups represented?

Well there's the Dioceses of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. And the Maronite Diocese of St Maroun is quite big too.

4.   Will your country be represented in the 'Papal Plate' WYD Soccer Competition?

Most definitely! We've got three teams confirmed.

5.   Is your country having a National Gathering at WYD and if so, when and where is it on?

Specifically there's the G'day Australia! Party on the Monday July 14 at University of Sydney, & the whole week in a sense. That is, since we're hosting WYD here in Sydney, the whole week really is a national gathering with several thousand international invitees...

6.   Are there any migrants from your country living in Australia - if so how many?

We’re all migrants except for the Indigenous.

7.   Any National Foods of interest?

Lamingtons, meat pies, Tim-Tams & vegemite.  (Everyone's got their favourite Thai restaurant though). 

8.   Any National Past-Times of interest?

Sport - Cricket, AFL, rugby league, surfing. 

9.   Describe your country in 3 words?

World Youth Day! 

10. What little souvenirs will your country’s pilgrims bring to WYD to share their nationality with other pilgrims?

Mini koalas and Carnivale Christi fliers with Pope Benedict and John Paul on them.

Image courtesy of photohome_uk (Creative Commons License), Flickr.