General News
3 May, 2026
Maria brings her mum ‘home’
ALMOST a decade after her time at Wedderburn College, former exchange student Maria Oliveira was back in town at the weekend.
ALMOST a decade after her time at Wedderburn College, former exchange student Maria Oliveira was back in town at the weekend.
And for her fourth return trip to Wedderburn since studying Year 11 in 2017, the Brazilian architect had her mother Giselle also making the journey.
They live in Belo Horizonte, Brazil’s sixth largest city with a population of more than two million people.
“I love Australia, the people and the culture and really love the warmth of this town. They made me feel so welcome when I was at the school here and made me feel right at home,” Maria said.
“And this time it has been good for my mum to visit and meet people who gave that warmth.”
Maria was one of three exchange students at Wedderburn College in 2017, the other two were from Japan and Finland.
But it has been Maria who has maintained the friendships.
During her visit at the weekend, Maria caught up with other former students and friends and current student council leader Tyson Blair.
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