Sister City Working Group Membership Opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for community members to join the Sister City Working Group in which you will assist the Mayor’s office plan and host Sister City exchanges in an inclusive consultative process.
The main functions of the Working Group are to assist the Mayor’s office plan and host Sister City events including:
- Participating in a forum to facilitate and promote Sister City exchanges and ideas.
- Planning, organising and providing input into local arrangements for Sister City exchanges.
- Assisting with the preparation of hosting Sister City delegations.
- Promoting the Sister City relationships across the Local Government Area.
What is a Sister City?
A Sister City relationship is an agreement between two cities or councils, where each city or council agrees to promote mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and cultural exchange for the benefit of both communities and the promotion of local government.
The goal of Sister City relationships is to help develop strong networks of communication between the cities of the world, build people-to-people connections that bring direct cultural, educational, and economic benefit.
Sister Cities have been shown to have measurable direct economic benefits, as well as providing cultural and educational people-to-people links.
How did it begin?
Sister Cities International began in 1956, when President Eisenhower envisioned a way for U.S. cities to create formal partnerships with foreign cities. Through the People to People Programme, cities could exchange information and ideas in order to develop friendships and deepen cultural understanding.
The Sister Cities Australia (SCA) began in 1979 as an association of local government areas to encourage, coordinate and support groups in developing relationships according to local needs. Today Australian cities and towns have over 500 sister city affiliations throughout the world and this number increases every year.
Our Sister Cities
The City of Wagga Wagga has three active Sister Cities relationships: Leavenworth in the USA, Nördlingen in Germany and Kunming in China. Each Sister City relationship has developed in a unique and different way. The purpose of these relationships is to work co-operatively for the good governance of both communities with the sharing of knowledge and resources; and to foster local sporting, education, business and cultural groups and organisations.
Leavenworth, Kansas, has a population of over 72,000 and shares many similarities with Wagga Wagga, including its inland location, proximity to major rivers, agricultural industry, and military presence. This strong foundation has allowed the two cities to maintain a deep and lasting friendship, proving that international connections can thrive through people-to-people relationships.
Wagga Wagga and Leavenworth Sister City Relationship
The affiliation between Wagga Wagga and Leavenworth came about, as far as Wagga Wagga is concerned, purely by chance.
In May 1961, Lieutenant Colonel W.H. Wansley, Commanding Officer of Kapooka Military Area, visited the Mayor of Wagga Wagga before departing for the United States to undergo military training at Fort Leavenworth—home to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. During this visit, he agreed to carry a letter of introduction and greetings from the Mayor of Wagga Wagga to the Mayor of Leavenworth.
On 19 May 1962, the Mayor of Leavenworth, the Hon. J.F. Mitchell, responded with a letter acknowledging the greeting and extended an official invitation for Wagga Wagga to become a Sister City under the People to People Programme. Wagga Wagga City Council enthusiastically accepted the invitation and encouraged schools, clubs, sporting organizations, and other community groups to connect with their counterparts in Leavenworth.
This marked the beginning of a long-standing and meaningful relationship between the two cities, fostering cultural exchanges, international friendships, and shared community initiatives.
Early Exchanges and Community Involvement
In 1963, the Community Advancement Fund, a committee of the Wagga Wagga and District Chamber of Commerce, contributed to the affiliation by awarding a return flight to Leavenworth as a prize for the Miss Wagga Wagga Quest winner. That year, Miss Jeanette McGarry became the first Miss Wagga Wagga to visit Leavenworth, followed by Miss Vera Lee McGinnis, Miss Leavenworth 1963, who traveled to Wagga Wagga in a reciprocal visit. This tradition continued in subsequent years, fostering cultural and social exchanges.
The Australian Army has also played a role in strengthening ties. Each year, an Australian Army officer attending military training at Fort Leavenworth visits Wagga Wagga to meet with the Mayor before departing. The Australian Government maintains a residence in Leavenworth, known locally as “Australia House,” for the officer's stay.
During the Vietnam War, Wagga Wagga hosted American servicemen on leave, including some from Leavenworth, further strengthening the bond between the two cities. Additionally, the Australian-American Association has organized student exchanges and hosted visiting American students under the American Field Scholarship Scheme.
Visits and Official Delegations
Over the years, numerous official visits have taken place between the two cities, including:
- 1970: A delegation from Leavenworth, including Mayor Ray H. Miller, attended Wagga Wagga’s Centenary of Local Government celebrations.
- 1976: Wagga Wagga hosted visitors from Leavenworth for the American Bicentennial celebrations.
- 1988: A six-member delegation from Leavenworth participated in Wagga Wagga’s Gumi Week festivities.
- 1992: A delegation visited Wagga Wagga to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship.
- 1995: Mayor of Wagga Wagga, Cr Pat Brassil, became the first Wagga Mayor to visit Leavenworth.
- 1999: The Mayor of Leavenworth led a delegation to Wagga Wagga for the opening of the new Civic Centre. The Leavenworth room at the Bob Osborne Training Centre was officially opened during their visit.
The cities have also honored each other by naming streets after their Sister City.
The Wagga Wagga–Leavenworth Sister City relationship has remained an active and meaningful exchange, fostering friendship, cultural understanding, and goodwill between the two communities. Despite the vast geographical distance, the connection between Wagga Wagga and Leavenworth continues to strengthen through ongoing exchanges, official visits, and community involvement.
Nördlingen is one of the classic medieval cities of Germany with a history dating back more than 1,100 years and which for almost 600 years has been a Free Imperial City. Nördlingen has a population over 20,000.
Wagga Wagga and Nordlingen Sister City Relationship
Following the establishment of a Sister City affiliation with Leavenworth, the Wagga Wagga Chamber of Commerce decided that the prize for the winner of the Miss Wagga Wagga crown should be a visit to Leavenworth. The success of this overseas trip and the hospitality received by the winner in Leavenworth prompted the Chamber of Commerce to make the prize an overseas trip every year. Subsequently, Miss Wagga Wagga visited Great Britain, Japan, France, and, eventually, Germany.
Through the good grace of the German Consul in Sydney (who was approached by the then Local State Member), the City of Nordlingen was suggested as the city for the winner to visit. In 1967, Oberbürgermeister Dr. Hermann Kessler personally assisted in hosting Miss Wagga Wagga in his home. She received a wonderful reception in the ancient walled city, returning with an invitation for the two cities—Wagga Wagga and Nordlingen—to join as Sister Cities.
The suggestion to establish the sister city link was officially made, and the German Consul recommended this action to the Wagga Wagga City Council. Resolutions were exchanged between the two councils, and the official sister city relationship was established.
Visits and Official Delegations
The first visitor from Nordlingen was “Miss Nordlingen” - Miss Hannelore Sauer - who spent several weeks in Wagga Wagga at the time of the Wagga Wagga Centenary of Local Government in 1970.
Other dignitaries to visit Wagga Wagga have included the Oberburgermeister, Mr Paul Kling and Mrs Kling, the former Oberburgermeister, Dr Hermann Kessler and Mrs Kessler, and the former Burgermeister, Mr Oskar Schneider and Mrs Schneider.
- April 1981 & 1988: Wagga Wagga hosted the St George choir from Nordlingen, with concerts at the Civic Theatre.
- September 1990: Wagga Wagga delegation, including Mayor Alderman Pat Brassil and 80 Kooringal High School Band members, visited Nordlingen for Stadtmauerfest.
- 1992: Nordlingen delegation, led by Oberbürgermeister, visited Wagga Wagga to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sister City relationship, including 80 members of the Knabenkapelle Boys Band.
- 1999: Oberbürgermeister led a delegation to Wagga Wagga for the opening of the new Civic Centre and the Nordlingen room at Bob Osborne Training Centre.
- September 2004: Lord Mayor of Nordlingen invited Wagga Wagga Mayor Cr Pascoe, General Manager Phillip Perram, and Mrs. Norma Gray to Historisches Stadtmauerfest, along with other delegates.
- March 31, 2013: 89 visitors from Nordlingen arrived for the Knabenkapelle Choir tour, performing at local events and Civic Theatre.
- August 2013: Mayor Rod Kendall and General Manager Phil Pinyon visited Nordlingen for the Historisches Stadtmauerfest.
On alternate years the reigning Miss Wagga Wagga and Community Princess are hosted in Nordlingen as part of their prize.
To honor the Sister City relationship, Nordlingen Drive in Wagga Wagga has been named in recognition of our Sister City.
Kunming, known as the "City of Eternal Spring" due to its mild temperatures, is a popular holiday destination for Chinese citizens. It is famous for its lakes and the “Stone” Forest. With a population of about five million, Kunming is a vibrant and growing city.
Wagga Wagga and Kunming Sister City Relationship
In February 1984, Mr. Harold Fraser, a member of the International Camellia Society, led a party of horticulturists to Kunming. He wrote to the Wagga Wagga City Council suggesting that the city establish a link with China. Mayor Alderman M. H. Gissing responded with a letter of greetings to the Mayor of Kunming.
On 25 November 1985, Wagga Wagga Council decided to explore the possibility of a Sister City relationship. A public meeting on 11 June 1986 led to the formation of a five-member committee. By 23 June 1986, Council authorized the Mayor to pursue the relationship, and the Mayor of Kunming invited the Wagga Wagga Mayor to visit.
The official relationship began on 27 August 1987 with the foundation stone ceremony for the Chinese Pavilion in Wagga Wagga’s Botanic Gardens. A Wagga Wagga delegation, including Alderman Peter Dale, Town Clerk Mr. Brian Andrews, and Mr. & Mrs. Harold Fraser, visited Kunming in February 1988.
Kunming craftsmen arrived on 23 June 1988 to begin work on the Chinese temple and archway. A Kunming delegation, led by Acting Mayor Mr. Wang Rencai, visited Wagga Wagga on 15 August 1988 for the Camellia Garden opening and Sister City Agreement signing on 20 August 1988, attended by dignitaries including His Excellency Air Marshal Sir James Rowland and Ambassador Mr. Zhang Zai.
Visits and Official Delegations
- February 1989: Photographic collection from Kunming displayed at Wagga Wagga Art Gallery; Wagga’s gift to Kunming: children’s playground and Australian native garden.
- February 1992: HR Marketing, Adelaide brings an 11-person delegation from Kunming to Wagga Wagga.
- April 1992: Five-person Kunming delegation visits Wagga to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Leavenworth Sister City relationship and the 25th anniversary of the Nordlingen relationship.
- October 1992: 30-member Kunming delegation from commerce, trade, and agricultural departments visits Wagga Wagga.
- August 1993: Wagga Wagga delegation, led by Alderman Peter Dale, attends the first China Kunming Fair.
- 2000s: Multiple delegations visit Wagga Wagga, including groups from Kunming's education, public security, and media sectors.
- August 2003: First-ever visit by a Kunming Mayor with a nine-person delegation to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Sister City relationship.
- 2004: Wagga delegation travels to Kunming for the opening of Wagga Wagga Park in the Green Lake Precinct, followed by a three-week agricultural study tour for students from Yunnan University.
- April-May 2012: Cultural delegation from Wagga Wagga participates in the 2012 International Cultural and Tourism Festival in Kunming; Aboriginal dance group performs for up to 40,000 people.
- May 2012: Kunming artist Lei Yan visits Wagga and creates a floating "pyramid" displayed on Wollundry Lagoon.
If you are visiting from one of our sister cities please make yourself known to the Mayor's office in advance by emailing council@wagga.nsw.gov.au or calling 02 6926 9111.