Mayor’s multicultural wardrobe

ARTHUR Frauenfelder has forged another official link with Asia thanks to Albury residents George and Ester Krooglik.

Mr and Mrs Krooglik yesterday presented Cr Frauenfelder with a traditional robe and hat from Balkhash in the central Asian republic of Kazakhstan.

It was a gift from Balkhash Mayor Tokushev Kazhmurat Abylkhairovich in exchange for Cr Frauenfelder’s letter of friendship and other Albury mementoes.

Cr Frauenfelder and his wife, Julie, have previously visited China, where Albury has a sister cities link with Nanping.

Mr Krooglik, an Albury police officer, said he and his wife recently visited Kazahkstan to catch up with relatives.

“I was impressed with how Balkhash was a rural city like Albury and had a lake, too,” he said.

Mr Krooglik was born in Australia of Russian parents who had lived for many years in China.

His family had left Russia after the 1917 Bolshevik revolution and lived in East Asia.

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/26314/mayors-multicultural-wardrobe/