19/06/2026
Some special visitors in the ABC North Queensland studio with Michael Clarke this morning.
Sienna Cottone, Cameron Nelson and Ainara Kelly are young Townsville residents who are part of the Basque Club of North Queensland - one of the region's most active and vibrant cultural groups.
The club has been a part of the local community for generations, providing connections for the families of people who came from the region of northern Spain and southwestern France. It's a place with its own distinctive food, culture and language.
Ainara, Cameron and Sienna are about to make their way to the Basque Country at the special invitation of the Basque government for a cultural exchange initiative.
The program will see the three hosted by local Basque families while undertaking daily language classes, traditional cooking workshops, cultural activities and dance lessons. Participants will also travel throughout all seven Basque provinces across Spain and France, visiting significant historical, cultural and architectural landmarks.
This is the very first time that Australia has taken part in the exchange, and our national ambassadors are not coming from Sydney or Melbourne, but Townsville.
Good luck to Sienna, Cameron and Ainara. Have a great trip.