Sister cities, twin cities and friends
Lismore has six cultural relationships with cities around the world, with the most significant being with Yamato Takada, Japan.
The Sister City relationship with Eau Claire in the United States is maintained through Southern Cross University's exchange program, and Lismore has a strong connection to Italy celebrated through the annual Friendship Festival.
The town-twinning concept, started in 1947 to promote friendship and reconciliation, has grown to include over 500 sister city affiliations in Australia.
Yamato Takada, Japan
Lismore City Council's Sister City relationship with Yamato Takada, Japan, started on 7 August 1963 and is the Council's most significant and actively maintained relationship.
Initiated in the aftermath of World War II by Lismore brothers and Marist Priests, Fathers Tony and Paul Glynn, the friendship was established through their welfare projects in the Nara Prefecture. Together they raised funds in Lismore and Australia to fund the reconstruction efforts to found the Takada Catholic Kindergarten in Yamato Takada.
The official Sister City agreement was signed in 1963, marking the first Sister City relationship between Australia and Japan and the oldest in our country.
Lismore’s ongoing friendship with Yamato Takada has played a major role in the reconciliation between Japan and Australia.
‘The horizons of this contract, this friendship, are not just the two Cities, but also the motherlands, Australia and Japan. Moreover, it is our firm belief that our efforts will contribute to the peace of the whole world.’ – from the pledge of the Lismore and Yamato Takada Sister City Agreement.
Student Exchange Program
The annual Sister City Student Exchange Program is an ongoing legacy of the Sister City Agreement, where High School Students from both Lismore and Yamato Takada have the opportunity to experience daily life in another culture.
The program commenced in 1985 and has continued (with the exception of pausing during the COVID-19 pandemic) throughout the years with students from each city enjoying a stay with a host family and exploring first-hand the local attractions, natural landscape cuisine and history, gaining a greater understanding, appreciation and promoting peace.
The program takes place in July/August with Yamato Takada students visiting Lismore and Lismore students travel to Yamato Takada in September/October.
Delegation visits
Lismore and Yamato Takada have celebrated many significant milestones over the years through visits, cultural and educational activities, tourism opportunities and letters. In 2013 a formal delegation including Mayor Yoshida from Yamato Takada and 50 delegates from the city travelled to Lismore commemorate the 50th year anniversary. An Anniversary Dinner event was held during which both Mayors signed and exchanged a Re-Affirmation Agreement of the Sister City Relationship that promotes the commitment of both cities to continue to support the bonds of the relationship.
In 2014 and 2017 a delegation of Lismore City Councillors were invited to visit Yamato Takada, again strengthening our long-term connection.
Anniversary of 60th year
The 60th year anniversary in 2023 was celebrated with a visit from Yamato Takada City Council delegates who were toured by Staff and Councillors and also attended the Lismore Lantern Parade. The anniversary date also coincided with the return of the Student Exchange Program and visiting Yamato Takada students took part in the celebrations combined with their farewell dinner in the Council Chambers which was joined virtually by Mayor Horiuchi.
Sister City Delegation visit 2024
As part of the 60th year anniversary, Yamato Takada City Council has extended Lismore City Council an invitation for a formal delegation to visit during the Cherry Blossom Festival in 2024.
Community members were invited to express their interest in joining the delegation, with six places offered. This unique opportunity was open to community members who wish to be ambassadors for Lismore and be part of the official Sister City delegation activities that promote the enduring friendship between the cities.
The delegates were responsible for funding their own costs associated with the trip, i.e. accommodation, airfares.
Conegliano and Vittorio Veneto, Italy
On 10 June 1991 a Mutual Friendship Declaration was signed with Conegliano and Vittorio Veneto, Italy.
Council's long-standing relationship with these cities aims to provide opportunities for a broad spectrum of exchange in sports, culture, education and business.
This mutual friendship is currently reinvigorated through active contact with the Mayor of the Comune of Conegliano and its citizens by a committee from Lismore Friendship Festival Incorporated and an annual Friendship Festival – LisAmore! It is held in Lismore for locals and visitors to celebrate this connection and Italian culture. The Mayor of Conegliano is regularly invited to attend.
Over the years Lismore City Council’s mayors have sent a letter of introduction to the Mayor of Conegliano on behalf of visiting Lismore residents.
Eau Claire, USA
Lismore established a Sister City relationship with Eau Claire through a video link on 23 January 2001.
The relationship was formed due to the similarities in history, industries, and demographics of the two cities.
Southern Cross University already had an exchange program for academics and students between the cities.
A delegation from Eau Claire visited Lismore in 2001, and a Rotary exchange participant and his group visited the mayor in the early 2000s.
There was a lot of contact between the cities in 2000 and 2001, but no record of contact between the mayors until 2012.
In 2012, Mayor Jenny Dowell reestablished contact through an introductory letter and gift, and the correspondence was further developed in 2015 with the opening of the Hotel "The Lismore" in Eau Claire, which Mayor Dowell visited in 2016.
Mayor Smith welcomed students from Eau Claire studying in Lismore in 2019, and Mayor Ekins sent a letter of introduction to Eau Claire in 2021.
The president of Eau Claire has also sent correspondence in the past for the 2017 floods, 2020 bushfires, and 2022 floods.
This relationship is especially strong in education, particularly through the connection with Southern Cross University and the Hotel "The Lismore".
Lismore, Ireland
Lismore, New South Wales, established a Sister City relationship with Lismore, Ireland, through a video link on 31 October 2000.
The relationship aims to encourage the exchange of cultural, social, and commercial ideas and information, and was formed for heritage purposes.
A delegation from Lismore, New South Wales, visited Ireland in 2002, and several individual residents have also visited.
The last recorded communication was an exchange of emails between the mayors of the two cities in 2017 in regards to floods and an article in a local newspaper.
Ujung Pandang, Indonesia
The Twin Relationship between Lismore and Ujung Pandang (now Makassar), Indonesia, was established on 18 September 1981.
Lismore was chosen as the pioneer city for Sister City Relationships with Indonesia due to its potential for upgrading municipal infrastructure.
Both sides made efforts to share infrastructure ideas, but finance was an issue.
In 1991, Lismore City Council expressed concern over civil rights matters in Ujung Pandang.
There was one official visit to Ujung Pandang for the official signing and the last official correspondence was in 1999.
While the agreement is still in place, this relationship has not been active for several years.
Wudi, China
Lismore established a Friendly Exchange relationship with Wudi, China, through a letter of intent signed on 24 June 1998.
A delegation from Wudi visited Lismore in 1998 for the signing ceremony and to explore partnering and joint venture opportunities, and the Lismore mayor visited Wudi in 1999.
The last recorded correspondence was sent in 2000.