AUSTRALIANS learned how to didgeridoo things the Basingstoke way during a visit to the Borough Council.

Tony Rolfe, an official in the office of the Minister for Ageing, and Kim Bush, a youth and family officer at the University of New England in New South Wales, visited Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council as part of a study exchange scheme.

By spending the day with borough council Cabinet members and high-ranking officers, they were able to compare British local government with what happens down under.

Gordon Holdcroft, chief executive of Basingstoke council, played host on the day.

He said: "I think it's great that we've got people from as far away as the other side of the world coming over here because they are interested in finding out what we do as a council.

"I was more than happy to show our guests around and hope they left with a positive impression of the borough and the council."

Activities enjoyed by the duo from New South Wales included sitting in on meetings between council top brass and a presentation on the history of Basingstoke and Deane by Mr Holdcroft.

Also on the menu was lunch at Festival Place and a tour of the redeveloped town centre before a visit to the Options '06 careers event in Carnival Hall and the Irish Centre, in Council Road.

The day ended with a question and answer session with Mr Holdcroft.