On April 11, 1984, Campbelltown signed a sister city agreement with Koshigaya, a city in Japan almost 8,000 kilometres away.
Despite the distance, the sister city bond is as strong as ever 40 years alter.
The 40th anniversary celebrations will include reciprocal official visits around the time of the anniversary.
“Campbelltown-Koshigaya is one of the most successful examples of a sister city relationship in Australia and has become an important part of Campbelltown’s modern identity,” says Mayor George Greiss.
“The relationship has provided students from each city with a valuable opportunity to participate in cultural exchange programs while also creating lasting legacies in the form of Koshigaya Park and the Japanese Tea House at Campbelltown Arts Centre,” he said.
To mark the beginning of the relationship, both Koshigaya Park, Campbelltown (pictured above) and Campbelltown Park, Koshigaya were constructed in 1984.
In 1989, Koshigaya City donated a tea house which is now part of the beautiful Japanese Gardens at the Campbelltown Arts Centre.
In return, Campbelltown Council donated a number of native birds to Koshigaya when the Campbelltown Forest of Wild Birds was opened in 1995.
With a range of exchange programs and activities taking place over the past four decades, the sister city bond has evolved, giving residents of both cities a global perspective on cultural connections through the values of friendship, respect and harmony.
Over the years, the Campbelltown-Koshigaya Sister Cities Association has facilitated many student delegations, offering young people from each city a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience.
To celebrate 40 years since Campbelltown formed its sister city relationship with Koshigaya, residents are also being invited to create a new logo that symbolises and celebrates the enduring relationship between the two cities.
Submissions are open to residents of both cities, with the winning entry to be used as the official logo that will symbolise the ongoing cultural exchange between the two cities.
Mayor Greiss is encouraging Campbelltown locals and particularly school students to enter the competition.
“The logo competition is a fantastic opportunity for someone to create their own part of this important history while marking an important milestone in this longstanding friendship,” he said.
The winning logo will be featured on various promotional materials such as posters, flyers and on official websites to highlight projects related to the sister city relationship.
It will also be incorporated into a commemorative flag that will be raised during visits by delegations from each city.
The winning entry will be determined through online voting by residents of both cities. The winner will receive a prize of $500 and an award certificate jointly signed by the Mayors of both Koshigaya and Campbelltown.
The competition closes on Saturday, February 10 at 5pm.
Entry and design requirements are available on council’s website here.
