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Exmouth amazes US consul

Shannon BeattiePilbara News
Bradley Dohnt, David Gainer, Matthew Bird and Kate Longhurst.
Camera IconBradley Dohnt, David Gainer, Matthew Bird and Kate Longhurst. Credit: U.S. Consulate General, Perth, Kyle Regan

Americans living in Exmouth had an extra special Thanks-giving last week when US Consul General David Gainer paid a visit to celebrate the occasion.

Mr Gainer became the Consul General at the US Embassy in Perth about three months ago, with last week’s trip to Exmouth the first he has made to regional WA.

The relationship between Exmouth and the US goes back more than 50 years, with the town originally established in 1967 to support the nearby United States naval communication station Harold E. Holt.

Mr Gainer said he thought visiting Exmouth on Thanks-giving was fitting because of the historical ties.

“Thanksgiving is one of the United States’ most important holidays, it’s a time where family and friends get together to give thanks for the year that has passed and look forward to the future,” he said.

“We were giving thanks for this really deep and abiding relation which we have with Australia, which is one of the closest relationships the US has with any country in the world.”

While in Exmouth, Mr Gainer and his daughter visited the Harold E. Holt Station and the Learmonth Solar Observatory and stopped by Turquoise Bay and Oyster Stacks for a snorkel. Mr Gainer said they were impressed with the work that was happening in Exmouth, the sense of the community, the natural beauty and the welcome they received.

“What amazes me about the relationship is the comfort and trust that Americans and Australians have in each other,” he said.

“Talking to the American community in Exmouth, they’re delighted to be there, they fit right in and we just seem to have a very similar background in terms of what we grow up with and what we value.”

Mr Gainer has lived in Australia before, having once been visas chief at the US Consulate in Melbourne, but he believes WA is the best State in the country.

“It was amazing to go to one of the many regional communities which make the State so amazing,” he said.

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