The 25th anniversary of Dubbo's sister-city relationship with Japanese city Minokamo is a notable time.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dubbo City Council is hosting Japanese consul general to Sydney Masato Takaoka and a team of delegates from Minokamo to celebrate the occasion.
The itinerary for the tour includes a number of quintessentially Australian experiences for the guests to enjoy.
Among the party are familiar faces and first-time visitors, including Minokamo mayor Hiroto Fujii.
The anniversary is an appropriate time to reflect on the sister-city relationship, the first of Dubbo's four such programs.
It was signed in 1989 by the mayors of the two cities to strengthen the friendship between their citizens through the understanding of educational, cultural and sporting activities.
Their pledge was a start, but it is the commitment of organisations and individuals in each of the cities throughout the past quarter of a century that has made an occasion to celebrate.
Scores of families in Dubbo have been able to experience Japanese culture either by hosting a Minokamo guest or having a son or daughter go on an exchange.
Our Japanese sister city also made a generous gift to Dubbo that can be enjoyed by anyone - the Shoyoen Gardens.
It is a world away for Dubbo residents and a significant attraction to offer tourists.
At this anniversary it is worth considering how the Dubbo-Minokamo relationship could be further advanced and if Dubbo should pursue other sister-city arrangements.
