Federation Council officially welcomed chaperones and students from Miki City, Japan, Council’s Sister City on Wednesday 23 August, 2023.
Federation Council Mayor, Cr Patrick Bourke said, “Staying in our region with ten local community families, we warmly welcomed the delegation to our community for their visit.
“Federation Council is very thankful for our enduring friendship with Miki City, now in it’s 26th year. We were delighted to host this year’s visitors with old friendships rekindled and new friendships established.”
“It has been a fantastic week of events and activities which provided the Miki City delegation a real taste of rural Australian life.”
The Federation Council sister city program provides opportunity for engaging with Miki City, to develop an understanding and appreciation of other cultures, to see and experience the world and grow, to establish connections and broaden horizons.
“It is a life changing experience for all who have been involved in the program. Stories from past participants have shown that the program has provided direction for their lives and opened up opportunities they would not otherwise have had.”
Now in it’s 26th year, the future continues to look bright with both Miki City and the Federation Council reviewing the program with potential to expand to involve the business and community sectors.
“Our documentary film, which will be released shortly, showcases the real value and pride this program provides, not only to our local community but also the broader international relationship between Australia and Japan.”
During their stay, the delegation visited the following locations and sites;
- Corowa Art Space Miki City Memorabilia display. Items on display were collected by Council and community members from the past 26 years, including the original Sister City Agreement documents.
- Corowa High School meeting local students and cooking Anzac Biscuits! Attendance at the Corowa High School Variety Night, with a number of delegates performing!
- A sculpture tour on the way to Urana, including stops at Lowesdale and Daysdale. A visit to the Urana Courthouse Museum with volunteers providing a scrumptious morning tea.
- Coonong Station together with the Urana Primary School, where the delegation experienced a shearing demonstration, up close with sheep, lambs and Australian wildlife including a baby wombat.
- A cultural talk and walk in Collendina Reserve with members of Bangerang, including a smoking ceremony and didgeridoo.
- A pontoon ride on Lake Urana and dinner at the Urana Pavilion, catered for by the Urana Bowls Club volunteers. And a stay at the picturesque Urana Caravan Park.
- Oaklands Public School hosted the delegation for a visit to the small rural school including morning tea. Delegates performed traditional music and interacted with the students and staff.
- Lunch at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club, golf lessons and a tour of the facility.
- A scenic drive back to Corowa Golf Club for the preview of the Miki-Federation Sister City Documentary Film, celebrating 25 years, a project funded by the Australia- Japan Foundation and the Federation Council, produced by Nomad Films.
Federation Council would like to thank the host families, volunteers and all the organisations including Coonong Station, Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Corowa Golf Club, Corowa High School and Oaklands Public School who kindly donated their support, services and their time to host the delegation and showcase our beautiful rural Australian community and way of life. A special mention to Gary Poidevin for his commitment to chaperoning the whole week’s program of activities and events. We also extend a thank you to Miki International Association and Miki City for all their work in organising everything from Japan.
Thank you also to the Australia-Japan Foundation for their support and funding of the Miki-Federation Sister City documentary film, a project showcasing the immense value of the relationship and significant pride for this long-standing relationship between our two countries.
