(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa was warmly embraced on the Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia, during the Pacific Pines United Expo on June 15, 2014. This event, supported by the city council, attracts thousands of locals and tourists each year.

Falun Dafa practitioners were invited to demonstrate the exercises on-stage. Hundreds of people watched the demo with interest, including Gold Coast City Councillor Tracey Gilmore. The master of ceremonies said that the exercises made him feel very relaxed and peaceful.

Falun Dafa practitioners explain the practice to visitors.

Many people viewed the Peaceful Journey of Falun Dafa photo exhibition displayed on the interior and exterior walls of the Falun Dafa marquee tent. Many expressed interest in learning the exercises after watching practitioners' demonstration. Several were amazed by the positive energy that practitioners brought to the family-friendly event.

A social-welfare worker from Brisbane collected fliers and promised to give them to people she came into contact with. She said that she regularly visits the Falun Dafa practice site in South Bank. She often joins practitioners in the sitting meditation, and has collected and distributed Dafa fliers to people she knows. She also tells people about the persecution in China.

A couple from the Philippines said they had heard of Falun Dafa, and knew about the persecution and organ harvesting situation in China. They expressed deep concern about this and offered their support.

Many children came to the tent after seeing other children with hand-folded lotus flowers, and also wanted one. Practitioners told them about Falun Dafa, and how the lotus flower is an oriental symbol of peace and purity – the state of mind practitioners maintain during the practice. Some kids offered to give Dafa fliers to their friends, too.