Chapter closes: Waranga Ward councillor Adrian Weston. Photo: Cath Grey
Photo by
Cath Grey
The Campaspe Shire Council has called an official end to its 25-year Sister City relationship with Shiroi, Japan.
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During last week’s monthly council meeting the councillors voted unanimously to rescind their current International Engagement Policy.
As well as ending the Sister City relationship with Shiroi, the policy covered a Sister City relationship with Shangri-La, China, which was discontinued in May 2021 and an annual $750 financial contribution to the Campaspe East Timor Association Friendship group.
This group was found by council to have dissolved earlier this year, therefore ending the council’s contribution.
Blast from the past: Shiroi Machi Mayor Noriaki Nakamura and Campaspe Shire Mayor Mary Bowman shake hands on the Friendship Agreement, witnessed by a large gathering at the Campaspe Shire Council chambers in February 1998.
Although the decision was supported unanimously by the councillors, there was some pushback by Cr Adrian Weston.
“I would prefer that we were in some way able to maintain some sort of connection to Shiroi,“ he said.
“The reason why I say that and feel that way is I think it's important at a grassroots level to give expression to broader national and international relationships.
“Sometimes I think people underestimate the importance of that and Japan has been an important friend and trade partner and ally to Australia. So I think from that perspective, bringing it back down to our level of government, again, giving expression to national initiatives, the grassroots level is important.”
Despite this Cr Weston joined his fellow councillors in voting for the motion to end their formal ties with Shiroi.
“I support the motion and understand the rationale behind it, but would hope that we can maintain some contact and connection with Shiroi, even if it’s through a virtual format digitally,” Cr Weston said.
The Shiroi-Campaspe Sister City relationship began in 1998 during Cr Mary Bowman’s mayorship.
The Sister City relationship was established to provide cultural diversity, economic development and growth, skilled migration and international trade opportunities to both shires.
Since that time there has been many Campaspe delegations sent to Shiroi and the same in return.
However, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions there has not been a contingent supported between Shiroi and Campaspe for more than four years.
The council has pointed to lessons learned during COVID-19 about ways to continue international relationship with other cities that does not necessarily require being that of Sister City one.
“During the pandemic council highlighted and enhanced effective methods of communication and connection with international cities that are more practical, economical and provide timely information to the shire,” a council spokesperson said.
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