Former Boggabri resident Merrianne Corey reunited with three visiting college friends for the afternoon tea, whom she met while attending the University of Iowa as part of a Rotary Fellowship.

At age 23, Merrianne studied a Master of Animal Science abroad and was an ambassador for Rotary clubs that involved spreading the word about Australia and the lifestyle. 

The ladies shared the same dormitory at university and have kept in touch ever since. 

While over in the United States, Merrianne met her Canadian husband Jack and they later married in Australia in 1966.  

The couple eventually returned to America and now reside in South Carolina. 

The Americans attended the Gunnedah tea room celebrations with Merrianne, whose sister, Sarah Helps, is a member of the Boggabri Red Cross branch. 

Merrianne’s mother, Dolcie Vickey, was also a member. 

There was a special connection to the Red Cross too with one of the Americans whose mother, Emma Comer-Ellis was a co-ordinator with the Shelbyville branch in Kentucky for 17 years. 

Merrianne said the Gunnedah reunion was fantastic.

“It’s as if we’ve seen each other every day of our lives,” she said.