The area is fast becoming a melting pot as people from various cultures move into the region.

Shoalhaven City Council’s population breakdown shows there is a higher percentage of people born in non-English speaking countries living in outlying areas rather than the main urban area of Nowra and Bomaderry.

This statistic is reflected in the experience of the International Friends based at the Bay and Basin.

St Georges Basin resident Helga Augner had set up a similar multicultural group in Richmond and decided there was a need for a group in the Shoalhaven.

In April 1993 the International Friends staged their first meeting and has not looked back.

The International Friends has had members from all parts of the world, including Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Russia, Holland, the Philippines, Italy, Mauritius, Israel, Finland, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Ukraine, Poland, Slovenia, Egypt, Estonia, England, South America and an Aussie or two.

Mrs Augner said she was surprised by the number of Russians who lived in the Shoalhaven.

The group loves getting together and Australia Day is always a highlight of its calendar.

“There is always a few tears when we sing the national anthem,” Mrs Augner said.

She said Australia Day was so important to the International Friends because it was a time to reflect on how lucky they were to live in Australia.

Mrs Augner followed her husband-to-be Franz to Australia from Germany in 1959.

They came seeking a better life and more opportunities.

She remembers the day she left Germany.

There were two groups, 74 single women and another group made up of men and families.

She saw two striking twin brothers who were going to Wagga Wagga and often wondered what happened to them.

Her question was answered one day when Jurgen Schafer attended an International Friends meeting. He was one of the twins.

Now a proud Aussie, Mrs Augner loves Australia’s open spaces, climate and outgoing people.

On Australia Day, the Augners will be decorating their home with Australian colours.