History of the Chuo Exchange Program

Sister city activities were independently commenced on many different continents, but all had the same goal, to help develop enduring networks of communication between the cities of the world to cut across boundaries and reduce the likelihood of polarization and conflict among nations.

The first Australia-Japan Sister City affiliation was formed between Lismore, NSW and Yamato -Takada in Nara Prefecture in 1963.

2011

20 Year Anniversary

JULY

The Sister City Student program was cancelled due to the earthquake and tsunami damage and subsequent Fukushima disaster.

OCTOBER

The Deputy mayor and 17 members of the delegation of Sutherland Shire visited Chuo City, a 20th year anniversary event of the sister city affiliation between Chuo City and Sutherland Shire was held.

2009

JULY

The Sister City Student program was cancelled due to the epidemic of "Bird" influenza. Both visits were postponed to the following year, and the programs in the following year were available for those who could not participate in the previous year as well.

2006

JUNE

A celebratory signing ceremony in Sutherland Shire for the 15th anniversary of sister city affiliation. In addition, a Chuo City delegation joined the events on June 16th and 17th to commemorate Sutherland Shire’s 100th anniversary of municipality.

Chuo City presented a memorial statue - a unique piece of artwork which is on display in the garden at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery.

A Japanese kite-flying event was presented by Chuo City at Cronulla Beach.

Chuo City donated a further 5 million yen to the trust used to help fund the Sister City student exchange program.

Sutherland Council commenced a sponsorship of a koala at Taronga Zoo on behalf of Chuo City.

2001

10th Anniversary of Sister City Affiliation

1996

APRIL

A party of Chuo City’s mayor and the chair of the Assembly visited Sutherland Shire. A signing ceremony was held and a memorial tree planted as a celebration of the 5th anniversary of Sister City affiliation. Chuo City donated 5 million Yen to set up a trust fund used to help fund the student exchange program.

JUNE

The Mayor of Sutherland Shire, Mr Kevin Schreiber, visited Chuo City. A signing ceremony was held and a memorial tree planted as a celebration of the 5th anniversary of sister-city affiliation

1994

FEBRUARY

Relief money was sent for Sutherland Shire’s extreme bush fires.

DECEMBER

“Sister Cities Australia” bestowed the highest Honor Award on Chuo City for their support of Sutherland Shire during the time of crisis.

1993

FEBRUARY

Sutherland Shire’s photos were exhibited in Chuo City. Thereafter, both cities hold a photo exhibition every year with exchanged photos.

APRIL

Chuo City Garden was opened in Sutherland Shire.

AUGUST

Mayor of Sutherland Shire visited Chuo City

1992

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER

Chuo City’s photos were exhibited at the Sutherland Photo Exhibition.

1991

JULY

The formal Declaration of the Sister City Affiliation was signed in Chuo City.

October

The formal Declaration of the Sister City Affiliation was signed in Sutherland Shire.

1989

MARCH

Communication between Sutherland Shire and Chuo-ku, Tokyo started through the introduction by the Japanese embassy in Australia.
The Late Mr Michael Tynan was the President of Sutherland Shire from 1988-1989. Mr Tynan developed a friendship and working relationship with the mayor of Chuo City, Tokyo, Mr Yoshihide Yada. They decided to commence building a Sister City relationship between the two communities (Sutherland Shire did not have a Mayor until 1993 - as of 2016 Mayor Yada is still the Mayor of Chuo City).

SEPTEMBER

The first group of Sutherland Shire students visited Chuo City under a friendly arrangement. They were principally from Our Lady of Mercy College, Burraneer Bay.