The country of study chosen by the organisation for this year was the African nation of Botswana.

With a population of just over two million, Botswana has gone from being one of the poorest nations in Africa to one of the most prosperous.

Botswana gained independence from Britain in 1966 and is one of the few countries to have maintained a strong tradition as a stable representative democracy.

Geographically, the country is flat with up to 70 per cent of its landmass being the Kalahari Desert.

The Okavango Delta, one of the world’s largest inland deltas, is in the northwest of the country.

Despite its political stability and relative socio-economic prosperity, the country is among the hardest hit by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, with around a quarter of the population estimated to be infected.

There were 100 guests at the function, including members of the Dungog-Clarence Town, Dungog Evening, Belmont, Cessnock, East Maitland, Jerrys Plains, Maitland, Medowie, Lower Belford and Singleton branches.

They enjoyed a traditional Botswanan meal consisting of pumpkin soup, beef and lemon casserole served with cabbage and rice and stewed apple topped with pastry and served with custard.

Students from nearby Gresford Public School also studied Botswana and made posters as part of their project.

Prizes were awarded for winners in a number of categories.