Sixteen students from Bellingham, Washington State, will dance their way across Port Stephens in July, to celebrate a relationship cast from a very similar mould 30 years ago.
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Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee, formed in 1988, had its genesis in discussions leading up to the construction in 1983 of the Tomago aluminium smelter, which was designed along the lines of one in Bellingham.
“The former mayor of Port Stephens, the late John Bartlett, who led a delegation to Bellingham in the early 80s, saw the value of a sister cities relationship, and other sister cities connections have since grown and exchanges have flourished,” Port Stephens Sister Cities chairman Nigel Dique said.
The visit will be a highlight of Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee’s 30th anniversary celebrations that include international sporting, cultural and educational exchanges, as well as mayoral receptions.
All of the Port’s sister cities – Yugawara, Tateyama and Kushiro (Japan), as well as Bellingham – will participate in the exchanges.
Related reading: A proud tradition of exchanges
“We’re very grateful to Mayor Ryan Palmer for his support with both mayoral receptions and financial assistance with some of the activities, and also to the many volunteers helping with hospitality, arranging transport and home hosting,” Mr Dique said.
The anniversary celebrations began in March with the biennial PacRim yachting regatta at sister friendship city Tauranga, New Zealand, in which Port Stephens fielded a crew.
The dance performances, beginning July 2, mark the next stage in celebrations, when the girls visit Raymond Terrace Public School, Irrawang Public School, Hunter River High School, Tomaree High School, Shoal Bay Public School and Anna Bay Public School.
Three mums and five staff will accompany the dancers. Families connected with the Robyn Yvette Dance Company will provide home hosting.
In step with the celebrations Port Stephens will also host seven marathon runners from Bellingham and Tateyama, when they compete in the Hunter Valley Winery Running Festival on July 22
Members of the Nelson Bay Hash House Harriers and Ports Stephens Sister Cities Committee have arranged to home host the runners and assist with transport.
Come August, six young students from Yugawara will attend classes at St Philips Christian College and be home hosted by St Philips families.
In September, three Port Stephens runners are being sought to take part in the annual Bellingham Bay Marathon, in scenic northwest Washington.
They will enjoy five nights’ free home stay accommodation, with all pickups, entry fee, a day trip to Canada and other activities supplied free.
A $1000 Sister Cities/council subsidy will be shared among successful applicants.
Finally, in October, the Port Stephens SeaSide Singers group will travel to Japan for 17 days, performing at each of the three sister cities and at iconic local venues including art galleries and museums, as well as joining in workshops with Japanese choral groups.
Mr Dique said Port Stephens could never have too many sisters or sister friendships. He drew attention to the Port’s friendship relationships with Nahodka (Russia), Tauranga, (New Zealand) and Victoria (Canada), underpinned by the biennial PacRim yacht race.
“We are always looking for new members so anyone interested in international friendships at a grass roots level is encouraged to join our committee,” Mr Dique said.
