The Sister City movement is a worldwide concept, which originated in the USA shortly after World War II - a period in history, like now, where people wanted to focus on community values and exchanges to encourage international understanding and ultimately world peace.
The principles of improving communication and exchanges at a person-to-person level through city-to-city affiliations was adopted by Australia in 1980 when the Australian Sister City Association (ASCA) was founded.
Today, there are some 200 municipalities across Australia which have more than 460 overseas affiliations.
ASCA is part of an international effort to encourage understanding and cooperation by promoting communication and exchanges between ordinary citizens from different nationalities and cultures.
On 7 September 1987, we established our first Sister City link with Los Altos in California, USA.
In later years, relationships with Tianshui, China (1992) and Penzance, United Kingdom (1996) emerged.
These affiliations have resulted in the establishment of student exchange programs, vocational advice programs and numerous cultural exchanges.
The Bendigo Sister Committee:
The City of Greater Bendigo signed a Sister City agreement with Los Altos in California, USA in 1987 and the following year the Bendigo Sister Cities Committee was formed. In 1992, a sister link was formalised with Tianshui, Gansu Province in China.
A third sister city relationship was developed in 1995 with Penzance, Cornwall.
A Youth Committee was established in 2002 prior to Bendigo hosting the 2002 Australian Sister Cities National Conference. This included a National Youth Conference on international relationships. The Sister Cities Committee has encouraged visits to each sister city and hosted many visitors from each sister city.
The Bendigo Sister Cities Committee is a City of Greater Bendigo Section 86 Committee with the following functions:
Year
Achievement
1987
Los Altos Sister City relationship formalised with Bendigo Mayor Michael Currie.
1988
The Mayor Cr. Robin Adams Chaired the first meeting of the Bendigo Sister Cities Community Committee on Thursday 25 August. Mr Chris Stoltz became the first Chairperson.
1989
Bendigo Brave Men's Basketball Team visit Los Altos with media representatives from 3BO FM, Southern Cross Ten and the Bendigo Advertiser.
1990
First Exchange Student, eventual Rhodes Scholar, to Los Altos. Exchange Student Peter Harding was the first from Los Altos to Bendigo. Jim Bowman and a group from Bendigo's Kaliana Special School visit Los Altos.
1991
Signs first erected at Bendigo City Gateways, depicting our Sister City of Los Altos, USA. First discussion on Pen Pals between Committeeman Jeff White and visiting Los Altos couple Don and Audrey McDonald.
1992
Delegation visitied from Tianshui, China to formalise Sister City agreement with City of Greater Bendigo.
1994
Los Altos High School's Main Street Singers Choir visits Bendigo to perform.
1996
Sister City Agreement formed with Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom. First Sister City Newsletter produced by Editor - Committeeman Peter Mundy.
2002
The Bendigo Sister Cities Committee, in association City of Greater Bendigo hosted the Australian Sister Cities Association Annual Conference from 18 - 21 October. The theme of the conference was "Sister Cities in a Global Context". Los Altos High School's Main Street Singers again visited Bendigo. Tianshui's Deputy Mayor, a representative from the Foreign Affairs Office plus an interpreter also attended. They presented the City with a magnificent pair of hand carved jade wall hangings which now hang proudly in the Council Chambers stair well. Sister City delegates in attendance from around Australia was 180 adults and 32 young people. View Warringah Council's summary of the conference
2004
Reintroduction of short term Student Exchange program. Kylie Crawford, Year 9 student at Flora Hill Secondary College visited Los Altos for two weeks. A Study Tour Group from Bendigo, including several Committee members, toured in China, including three nights at Tianshui.
2005
After several meetings - suggested Protocols listed for International Visitors. These were presented to the Greater Bendigo Council.
2006
"Braves Babes" - Basketball cheer squad were home hosted at Los Altos.
2007
Committee members visited Los Altos for twentieth anniversary of our Sister City Agreement.
2008
Review completed over several months for future direction of Committee.
2009
Yvonne Bahen and Tim Gerber selected to participate in the Gansu International Study Fellowship program. This involves Yvonne and Tim spending three months in China in the Gansu Province, from 1 September to 23 November.
2010
Official opening of the Bendigo Sister Cities Committee Gardens in Rosalind Park, performed by the Mayor, Cr. Rod Campbell.
Installation of a seat donated by the Penzance and St. Just Twinning Committee as gesture of support for Bendigo's 2009 bushfire tragedy. The seat is located just outside of the Library.
The Sister Cities Committee has broad representation but also recognises that there are people in the community interested in participating in Sister City activities who are unable to attend meetings.
Community members may be co-opted for particular projects or activities and/or participate in task groups for specific purposes.
Meetings are held every second Thursday of each month beginning at 4.30pm.
The venue can change from month to month depending on the availability of Council Chambers in Lyttleton Terrace. For more details contact the City of Greater Bendigo's Cultural Diversity Officer on 5434 6416 or email b.dalloway@bendigo.vic.gov.au
Chairman: Peter Mundy Secretary: Jeff White Treasurer: Sheryl Retallick Wendy Holland Li Zhang Barry McNaught See Tan Tuang Doug Turner Barb Dalloway John Lilley Julie Rivendell Yvonne Bahen Tim Gerber Cr Rod Fyffe (Council member)
On 23 January 2010 the Bendigo Sister Cities Gardens in Rosalind Park were officially opened. Three gardens represent the style of gardens of our three Sister Cities.
The Penzance - St Just Twinning Committee commissioned the building of a commemorative seat as a gesture of support for the victims of the 2009 tragic fires in Bendigo.
The Mens Sheds organisation at Long Gully built a seat using recycled timber and ends. The seat will be placed near the Bendigo Library in Lyttleton Terrace.
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