Tuesday, January 8, 2002 in Maryborough, Queensland, was proclaimed Falun Dafa Day.

Once again we woke up to a beautiful sunny morning. After sending forth righteous thoughts and a quick breakfast, we packed up and left our little temporary home for the night and headed to the location of the day's important event.

Falun Dafa Day in Maryborough was celebrated at the Station Square Shopping Center. We arrived early but the shopping center was already buzzing with people who were curious about our presence. With the permission of Center Management, we chose a strategic location to set up the gazebo: right in the center of the big foyer facing the entrance. As two of us started blowing up balloons, the photographer from the kids' picture-taking booth showed compassion to us and came over with an electric balloon inflator. We then worked quickly as a team to set up everything by 9am, just in time to start the exercise presentation.

The exercise demonstrations attracted a lot of attention. Many shoppers stopped to look, inquire, and take various types of information. The center manager's sister and friends were particularly interested in Falun Gong. Although they currently belong to a meditation group, they were searching for something meaningful. They bought a copy of Zhuan Falun [the main book of Falun Dafa teachings] and an exercise tape. They also left their contact numbers with us, as did many other people, expressing their interest in a future Falun Dafa Workshop.

The Mayor of Maryborough was off for the holidays, however, Deputy Mayor Alexia Tudman arrived around 12 noon to officially kick-off Falun Dafa Day and sign the Proclamation in front of the local Channel 7 News camera crew. Lex, as she is better known, showed interest in and support for Falun Dafa. We took the opportunity to show our photo exhibit and clarify the truth to her. She willingly participated in the Buddha Showing a Thousand Hands exercise as Channel 7 filmed her. She further agreed to sign a Certificate of Appreciation and a Proclamation on a council letterhead for official recognition. We gave both Mayor Tudman and Channel 7 the Justice for Falun Dafa video and other Dafa materials.

During the afternoon, two of us went to donate books to the local library. We also took this opportunity to Hongfa and promote Falun Dafa at the computer shop, where we checked our email.

The day seemed to fly by. We stayed a few hours longer than originally intended due to the high level of interest. Then we left for our next destination.