City of Ballarat’s vital international relationships to be strengthened

The City of Ballarat will commemorate key anniversaries of vital international relationships in 2023 with staff and councillors to take part in special delegations. 

As part of two long-standing relationships, the City of Ballarat has been invited to attend civic ceremonies in Timor-Leste and Japan. 

The two separate international trips in 2023 were unanimously approved by Ballarat City Council at the February 2023 Ordinary Council Meeting. 

Both visits will continue enduring traditions that have been integral in fostering cultural relationships between Ballarat and the two regions. 

The City of Ballarat works closely with local government in Timor-Leste to boost local knowledge in the fields of education, health, agriculture, economy, infrastructure, culture, eco-tourism, clean water, sanitation, environment and social relationships. 

The Sister-City relationship with Japan has resulted in many cultural and educational activities between the two cities in the spirit of friendship, freedom and peace for 35 years. 

A Council Travel Report will be provided following both trips. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said both international travel trips were crucial for Ballarat for differing reasons. 

“Both of these relationships are long-standing partnerships that are important to Ballarat, but also to our neighbouring cities overseas,” Cr Hudson said. 

“As we continue to emerge from COVID-19, having these opportunities to not only advocate for tourists to come to Ballarat, but also to generate genuine acts of goodwill is crucial for us as a Council.” 

Further detail on the trips 

Ainaro, Timor-Leste 

The trip will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first City of Ballarat delegation to Timor-Leste as part of the Friendship City Relationship between the two cities. 

The anticipated exchange cost is $12,440 and would provide for a Councillor and a Council Officer to travel, including flights and accommodation. 

The friendship and cooperation agreement in place with the Ainaro Municipality has been in place since 2003. 

In July 2005, Ballarat City Council formally established the Ballarat Friends of Ainaro Community Committee (BFACC) under Section 86 as a Special Committee of Council, providing funding and support to further develop the friendship with the Ainaro District. 

The BFACC continues to this day to liaise with Council and its staff to ensure continuing cooperation and coordination of friendship activities between Ballarat and Ainaro. BFACC members and other community members have indicated their intention to join the delegation and will pay their own way, including accommodation and other associated costs. 

There have been several exchange visits to Ainaro, including in 2013 for the 10th anniversary of the Friendship Agreement, and in 2016 where City of Ballarat signed an updated Agreement to further support the development of the relationship. 

Inagawa, Japan 

The trip will commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Sister City Agreement, which started in 1988. 

The anticipated cost for the reciprocal visit is $38,000 and would provide for the Mayor, a Councillor, the Chief Executive Officer (or delegate) and two Council Officers to travel and includes flights and accommodation. 

A further 20 community members have indicated their intention to join the delegation and will pay their own way, including accommodation and other associated costs. 

The 35-year relationship between Ballarat and Inagawa has resulted in an in-person civic delegation occurring every five years, alternating between Ballarat and Inagawa.  

In 2013, the City of Ballarat Mayor led a delegation with the CEO, one Councillor, the Citizen of the Year, and the Intercultural Partnerships Officer, with community members to Inagawa. In 2018, the Inagawa Mayor and staff visited Ballarat to renew the sister city agreement. 

The meetings every five years are viewed by both cities as a critical element in continuing the vital relationship. 

The long-running annual Ballarat & Inagawa Sister City Japanese Speech Contest, which runs separately to the civic delegations, has also resulted in winners awarded an expenses-paid trip to Japan, which included homestay experiences with Inagawa families. Ballarat has, likewise, hosted multiple Japanese students — winners of Inagawa’s English speaking competition.