Home › Uncategorised › Saiki–Gladstone Sister City Relationship Celebrates 30 Years of Friendship🤝

Saiki–Gladstone Sister City Relationship Celebrates 30 Years of Friendship🤝

Posted on by Junko

 The longstanding Sister City relationship between Gladstone Regional Council and Saiki City, Japan, reached a significant milestone in 2026, with the two communities celebrating 30 years of friendship, cultural exchange and shared connection.

To mark the 30th anniversary, Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett, Gladstone Regional Council and the local community welcomed a delegation from Saiki City in July 2026.

The delegation was led by Saiki Mayor Kuniko Tomitaka and included Saiki City Council representatives Kyo Sugahara (Secretary to the Mayor, Mayor’s Office and Public Relations Division); Takatoshi Fukuda (Assistant Director, Connecting Communities Division); Hiroaki Kamikawa (Assistant Chief General, Connecting Communities Division); and Kate Alessia Maccarone (Coordinator for International Relations, Connecting Communities Division).

The delegation was also joined by a group of Saiki students who travelled to the Gladstone region to experience local schools, community life, culture and industry, and to build connections with young people and the wider Gladstone community.

The visit provided an opportunity to reflect on three decades of connection between Saiki and Gladstone, while also strengthening the relationship for future generations.

 

【Connecting through education and young people】

A key focus of the visit was providing opportunities for the Saiki students to connect with young people in the Gladstone region.

The students participated in visits to Chanel College, Tannum Sands State School and Tannum Sands State High School, giving them the opportunity to experience Australian education and meet local students. The school visits encouraged cultural exchange, with students sharing their experiences of life and education in Japan and Australia.

The students also stayed with local host families in Tannum Sands, providing a valuable opportunity to experience everyday Australian family and community life.

                                                 

 

 

 

 

For the young participants, the visit was about much more than sightseeing. It created friendships, encouraged cross-cultural understanding and demonstrated how international relationships can have a lasting impact at a personal level.

【Showcasing the Gladstone region】

The delegation also experienced some of the diverse opportunities and attractions that make the Gladstone region unique.

The program included visits to Awoonga Dam, CQUniversity, local schools, the Gladstone Region Art Gallery and Museum (GRAGM), the Gladstone Library and local industry.

A regional industry tour provided the Saiki delegation with an insight into Gladstone’s economic strengths and industrial landscape, while visits to local cultural facilities showcased the region’s creative and community assets. The program also included opportunities to experience the local environment, including visits around Tannum Sands and the coastline.

【Strengthening economic and civic connections】

The anniversary visit also provided an opportunity to strengthen connections beyond cultural exchange.

A Trade and Investment Round Table brought together representatives to discuss opportunities for economic and business connections between Gladstone and Saiki.

The Saiki delegation also met with local representatives and experienced a range of Gladstone facilities and community initiatives, reinforcing the broader value of the Sister City relationship.

 

These activities highlighted how the relationship has the potential to support not only cultural and educational exchange, but also future collaboration across business, investment, tourism and community development.

【Sharing culture and community】

Cultural exchange was an important part of the visit, with the delegation experiencing local arts, community activities and Australian traditions.

A cultural burn, visits to the Gladstone Region Art Gallery and Museum and community activities provided opportunities for the delegation to learn more about the region’s history, culture and identity.

The visit also included a farewell barbecue at Millennium Esplanade, bringing together the delegation, local students, host families, Council representatives and members of the community.

These informal moments were an important part of the program, allowing relationships to develop beyond the formal itinerary.

【Looking to the next 30 years】

The 30th anniversary visit was an opportunity to celebrate the history of the Saiki–Gladstone relationship while looking towards its future.

Since the Sister City relationship commenced in 1996, generations of residents, students, volunteers, community organisations and local government representatives have contributed to maintaining the connection between the two cities. The 2026 delegation demonstrated that the relationship continues to provide meaningful opportunities for cultural understanding, education, friendship and collaboration.

Most importantly, the visit placed young people at the centre of the anniversary celebrations, helping to ensure that the friendship between Saiki and Gladstone continues to grow.

As the two communities look towards the next chapter, the 30th anniversary provides a strong foundation for renewed student exchanges, cultural programs, community partnerships and opportunities for people from Saiki and Gladstone to learn from one another.

Thirty years of friendship is a significant achievement – and the connections created through this visit will help shape the next 30 years of the Saiki–Gladstone Sister City relationship.

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    Format: Online Streaming (Simultaneous Japanese-English Interpretation)
     
     
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    CLAIR Sydney staff at the reception with Mr Terry Cotty, President of the Campbelltown-Koshigaya Sister Cities Association (centre).

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    Photos: Taituarā
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