Highlights of 2018-19
Website revisited
We haven’t updated our website for a while, mainly because we have tended to focus on our Facebook page to communicate news and information. But with the Covid-19 pandemic bringing international exchanges to a halt, we'll be revisiting these pages with more news and information. There have been wonderful exchanges to and from our sister cities in Japan and Bellingham over the last few years. We’ve also begun to ramp up other means of communication including a busier Facebook site and Zoom video conferences. SeaSide Singers Japan exchange We had a very successful exchange with Japan in 2018 organised in collaboration with the Port Stephens SeaSide Singers, who performed in a number of cities including our sister cities Kushiro, Tateyama and Yugawara, and in impromptu outdoor concerts. Below, performing at Kushiro; top right, at Tateyama and right, at the Venetian Glass Museum in Hakone. 10th anniversary exchange On 25-28 October 2019, 11 visiting members of the Kirara choir from Tateyama performed in ‘pop-up’ and formal concerts organised by the Port Stephens SeaSide Singers as part of the inaugural Tomaree Arts Festival. They were among a party of 30 here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tateyama’s sister cities relationship with Port Stephens. It was also the 31st anniversary of our relationship with Bellingham. Right, mayoral welcome at Port Stephens Council; below, the Kirara Singers; below right, demonstrating origami; and finally all together at the final concert. 
|
|
The year that was 2015
Scott Brownlie and Oonagh Treble warming up for the 2015 Wakashio Marathon.
It was a busy, fruitful 2015, culminating in November in the renewal of the Sister Wetlands Agreement, in which Port Stephens Sister Cities is proud to have played a role initiating talks and organising events.
Here are some highlights of the year.
Wakashio Marathon. Clare van Doorn, Scott Brownlie, Oonagh Treble and Tracy Spicer, all members of the Nelson Bay Hash House Harriers, competed in the Wakashio Marathon held by our sister city Tateyama in January. They linked with runners from Bellingham, a sister city of both Port Stephens and Tateyama to form new friendships in what turned out to be a successful sporting exchange. Everyone could not speak highly enough of the Tateyama’s hospitality. On Tateyama’s invitation Port Stephens will be represented at the 2016 event by Dr Laetitia Pienaar, Alice Smith and Tricia Herd who plan to run the full 42km. Port Stephens Council kindly provided $300 funding to each runner.
Manga display. Books by Yuki Obata along with posters, pictures and photography supplied by our counterparts, the Kushiro International Volunteers Exchange Association were exhibited at Port Stephens libraries.
Elections. Nigel Dique, Elaine Fereday, Arthur Heiler and Tony Clarke were elected unopposed to the positions of chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer respectively.
China connection. Discussions with Chinese contacts initiated by Mayor MacKenzie commenced with a view to establishing one or two sister cities in China.
Turkey connection. Port Stephens resident Norman Ainsworth proposed the establishment of a sister city relationship with Canakkale. On a trip there to commemorate the centenary commemoration of the Battle of Gallipoli with his sister Ronda Odgers he established a number of contacts with whom he intends following through. He also brought back a 'Peace is Possible' banner to hang at the West Diggers Club.
Donation for storm victims. Our sister city of Tateyama took the hat around for victims of the April storms, donating $4,133.39 including $813.19 from the Tateyama Ocean Yacht Club. Mayor MacKenzie determined that the money should go to Dungog, the worst-affected region where residents are still recovering from damage to their homes.
Here are some highlights of the year.
Wakashio Marathon. Clare van Doorn, Scott Brownlie, Oonagh Treble and Tracy Spicer, all members of the Nelson Bay Hash House Harriers, competed in the Wakashio Marathon held by our sister city Tateyama in January. They linked with runners from Bellingham, a sister city of both Port Stephens and Tateyama to form new friendships in what turned out to be a successful sporting exchange. Everyone could not speak highly enough of the Tateyama’s hospitality. On Tateyama’s invitation Port Stephens will be represented at the 2016 event by Dr Laetitia Pienaar, Alice Smith and Tricia Herd who plan to run the full 42km. Port Stephens Council kindly provided $300 funding to each runner.
Manga display. Books by Yuki Obata along with posters, pictures and photography supplied by our counterparts, the Kushiro International Volunteers Exchange Association were exhibited at Port Stephens libraries.
Elections. Nigel Dique, Elaine Fereday, Arthur Heiler and Tony Clarke were elected unopposed to the positions of chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer respectively.
China connection. Discussions with Chinese contacts initiated by Mayor MacKenzie commenced with a view to establishing one or two sister cities in China.
Turkey connection. Port Stephens resident Norman Ainsworth proposed the establishment of a sister city relationship with Canakkale. On a trip there to commemorate the centenary commemoration of the Battle of Gallipoli with his sister Ronda Odgers he established a number of contacts with whom he intends following through. He also brought back a 'Peace is Possible' banner to hang at the West Diggers Club.
Donation for storm victims. Our sister city of Tateyama took the hat around for victims of the April storms, donating $4,133.39 including $813.19 from the Tateyama Ocean Yacht Club. Mayor MacKenzie determined that the money should go to Dungog, the worst-affected region where residents are still recovering from damage to their homes.
Yugawara visit. Six students and a teacher from Yugawara visited in August, attending classes at St Philips Christian College, with St Philips families and Port Stephens Sister Cities provided home hosting. Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee helped ensure they had a fulsome Aussie experience, collecting them in Sydney by mini bus and taking them on a ferry ride to Manly before bringing them to Salamander. Following a mayoral civic reception, we organised a walk through the historical section of Raymond Terrace, lunch and a cultural session at the Aboriginal Murrook Centre, a dolphin cruise, a walk to the summit of Tomaree Head, and a farewell party before taking them back to Sydney the following day for their journey home.
Peace Concert, 20 September. On the invitation of the Seaside Singers, and after a couple of rehearsals, we joined other community groups and the choir at the Community Concert for World Peace, in a local prelude to the official United Nations International Day of Peace (21 September).
Multicultural Festival, 13 October. Assisted by students from St Philips Christian College, we manned a Port Stephens Sister Cities stand, handing out brochures and responding to questions from visitors. The students gave a demonstration of Japanese martial arts.
Sister Cities Australia Annual Conference, 8-11 November. We had two representatives at the conference – our China coordinator Kevin Atkins and youth ambassador Alannah Newell – who found the conference not only an enriching experience but enabled them to network and exchange sister city ideas.
Sister Wetland Agreement renewed. On Friday, 6 November Hiroya Ebina, the mayor of Kushiro in northern Japan, Bruce MacKenzie, mayor of Port Stephens and Michael Osborne, deputy lord mayor of Newcastle met in Newcastle to sign an historic wetlands agreement. The agreement renewed the Sister Wetland Relationship, begun 21 years ago, in which the three Councils agreed to work towards the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Peace Concert, 20 September. On the invitation of the Seaside Singers, and after a couple of rehearsals, we joined other community groups and the choir at the Community Concert for World Peace, in a local prelude to the official United Nations International Day of Peace (21 September).
Multicultural Festival, 13 October. Assisted by students from St Philips Christian College, we manned a Port Stephens Sister Cities stand, handing out brochures and responding to questions from visitors. The students gave a demonstration of Japanese martial arts.
Sister Cities Australia Annual Conference, 8-11 November. We had two representatives at the conference – our China coordinator Kevin Atkins and youth ambassador Alannah Newell – who found the conference not only an enriching experience but enabled them to network and exchange sister city ideas.
Sister Wetland Agreement renewed. On Friday, 6 November Hiroya Ebina, the mayor of Kushiro in northern Japan, Bruce MacKenzie, mayor of Port Stephens and Michael Osborne, deputy lord mayor of Newcastle met in Newcastle to sign an historic wetlands agreement. The agreement renewed the Sister Wetland Relationship, begun 21 years ago, in which the three Councils agreed to work towards the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Kushiro mayor Hiroya Ebina, Port Stephens mayor Bruce MacKenzie and Newcastle deputy lord mayor Michael Osborne at the Sister Wetland signing.
Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee initiated dialogue among the three councils in 2014. This resulted in an invitation (delivered by visiting students from Kushiro Koryo High School) to Mayor MacKenzie and Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes by Mayor Ebina to a meeting to reaffirm the agreement.
In addition to the visiting 4-person mayoral party from Kushiro, who stayed in Newcastle, there were eight members of the Kushiro International Exchange Volunteers Association who were home hosted in Port Stephens.
Preservation of wetlands is vital to the continuation of an extraordinary natural phenomenon – annual bird migrations between wetlands of Hokkaido and the Hunter estuary, a non-stop journey of 8,500km. Cr Osborne and Cr MacKenzie signed on behalf of the wetlands of the Hunter Estuary, while Mr Ebina signed on behalf of Kushiro Marsh, Kiritappu Marsh, Lake Akkeshi and Bekanbeushi Marsh. The wetlands include areas designated under the Ramsar Convention as Wetlands of International Importance. The municipalities share the shorebird species Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), with about 30,000 travelling between Japan and Australia each year.
We helped organise the official events for the mayoral delegation, as well as a welcome party and excursions for the community group. We also organised a shorebirds habitat-viewing cruise on the Hunter River for the groups, bird watchers and other interested parties, funded by Port Stephens and Newcastle Councils.
Follow up talks with Hunter Local Land Services, Hunter Wetlands Centre and Newcastle University are to be held to plan educational exchanges.
For now, Happy New Year everyone! We look forward to 2016 with great expectation.
In addition to the visiting 4-person mayoral party from Kushiro, who stayed in Newcastle, there were eight members of the Kushiro International Exchange Volunteers Association who were home hosted in Port Stephens.
Preservation of wetlands is vital to the continuation of an extraordinary natural phenomenon – annual bird migrations between wetlands of Hokkaido and the Hunter estuary, a non-stop journey of 8,500km. Cr Osborne and Cr MacKenzie signed on behalf of the wetlands of the Hunter Estuary, while Mr Ebina signed on behalf of Kushiro Marsh, Kiritappu Marsh, Lake Akkeshi and Bekanbeushi Marsh. The wetlands include areas designated under the Ramsar Convention as Wetlands of International Importance. The municipalities share the shorebird species Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), with about 30,000 travelling between Japan and Australia each year.
We helped organise the official events for the mayoral delegation, as well as a welcome party and excursions for the community group. We also organised a shorebirds habitat-viewing cruise on the Hunter River for the groups, bird watchers and other interested parties, funded by Port Stephens and Newcastle Councils.
Follow up talks with Hunter Local Land Services, Hunter Wetlands Centre and Newcastle University are to be held to plan educational exchanges.
For now, Happy New Year everyone! We look forward to 2016 with great expectation.
 Above, Kushiro visitors, birdwatchers and other interested parties at Schoolmasters House, Kooragang Island following a habitat viewing cruise (right).
|
|
Seaside fun for Yugawara students
Circular Quay (above) and lunch at Manly.
|
It was showery weather, but the sun came through often enough for the August 2014 incoming group of six Yugawara students and their teacher to have fun while experiencing a different culture in Port Stephens.
The students attended classes at St Philip's Christian College and were home hosted by parents of St Philip's students. Port Stephens Sister Cities officers collected them from Sydney by bus, and after a short visit to Manly, delivered them to St Philip's. An excursion day commenced with a Council reception (above) |
A walk through historical parts of Raymond Terrace followed, and then a visit to Murrook, an Aboriginal cultural centre run by the Worimi community. The students ate local 'bush tucker' and learned Aboriginal dances, how to throw a spear using a woomera launcher, and how to throw a boomerang.
Next day they were treated to a dolphin cruise and a walk up Tomaree Head to experience 360 degree views of the region.
The day before their departure, the students enjoyed a typical Australian barbecue at the Community Arts Centre. President of the Port Stephens Fellowship of Australian Writers Christine Gregory read poems and stories from the book Ripples. The students were presented with gifts and certificates by the school and Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee.
Let's let the pictures tell the story...
Next day they were treated to a dolphin cruise and a walk up Tomaree Head to experience 360 degree views of the region.
The day before their departure, the students enjoyed a typical Australian barbecue at the Community Arts Centre. President of the Port Stephens Fellowship of Australian Writers Christine Gregory read poems and stories from the book Ripples. The students were presented with gifts and certificates by the school and Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee.
Let's let the pictures tell the story...
Kushiro Koryo High School students investigate wetlands
A delegation from Kushiro Koryo High school visited Sydney and Newcastle 24-27 February with environmental science top of mind, led by teachers Yoshinori Miyazawa (pictured back row, left) and Yoshihiro Kanamoto (back row, right).
After checking out the University of Sydney campus they had a Cumberland forest guided tour covering plantations and native forest areas, management of threatened flora and fauna species, weed and pest animal management, and fire management, before heading up to Newcastle.
There they visited the Shortland Wetlands Environmental Education Centre and collected soil and insect samples for analysis. They also inspected the Hunter Wetlands Centre and revegetation projects, before being treated to a picnic lunch on Ash Island kindly prepared by Elaine Fereday, Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee's Japan Programs Coordinator (top picture, far left).
Restoration program
The students learned about a restoration program that has been under way for 20 years. In the early days of British colonisation farmers cleared the land on the island. It once contained many cedar trees. One had a trunk so large that it took 12 men with joined hands to encircle it. They were all cut down for building houses and furniture and the wetlands were drained.
The students were taken on a tour of Ash Island mangroves via a boardwalk (pictured left). Their guide was Kareena Keaton from Kooragang Wetland Centre (see picture No. 3) who then showed them around the wetlands rehabilitation project. Ash Island is part of Kooragang Island, which also happens to have the largest coal loading facility in the world.
Migratory birds return
Volunteers working at the Kooragang Wetland Centre aim to regenerate the original habitat, working to plant the original plants and return the water to the land. The good news is that birds not seen on the island for many years are returning. Many migratory birds including Latham's Snipe breed in Hokkaido in northern Japan and travel here during the non breeding season.
Red Cedar planting
After the tour the students planted a Red Cedar tree. Later they did presentations in English on their experiences to a class at Newcastle High School.
The idea for this trip was first raised with former Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee Chairman Ted Tindall and current Chairman Nigel Dique when they visited Kushiro with a delegation in April 2013.
Wonderful experience
Nigel says it's most gratifying to see the plans come to fruition. "It has been a wonderful educational and cultural experience for the students."
For the record wetlands and estuarine communities are the most significant natural ecosystems in the city of Newcastle and form one of the largest expanses of coastal wetlands in South East Australia.
November 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Kushiro-Kooragang Sister Wetland Agreement.
Runners did us proud in Tateyama
Before the big race (from left): Mr and Mrs Takebayashi (Windeatt's host family), Robyn and Greg Windeatt, Kathy and Mark Swinkel, Masako Sasago (host family coordinator and member of Wakashio running club - ran marathon), Christine Gary, Tracy Hahn and John Diefel (all of Bellingham who ran the marathon), Tateyama Mayor Kenichi Kanamaru and grandson, Kelly Jensen (Bellingham, ran marathon).
|
Mark Winkels and Robyn Windeatt gave a good account of themselves representing Port Stephens in the 2014 Wakashio Marathon held in Tateyama on 26 January. Mark ran the full 42km marathon in 3 hours 15 minutes and 46 seconds - an excellent time. Robyn ran the 10km leg in 56 minutes 14 seconds, also a good time.
In addition to the marathon race, Mark and wife Kathy, and Robyn and husband Greg, who were home hosted were treated to typical generous Japanese hospitality and came away overwhelmed by the experience. Among other activities they participated in were a pre-race running clinic, tea ceremony and festivals. Mark and Kathy also visited a pre-school with their host family while Robyn and Greg took time out to visit Tokyo and Kyoto. As expected, lots of photos and comments are posted on FaceBook. A big thank you to Tateyama City Hall and to Port Stephens Council for their support, and also to Minami Yamaguchi who helped fine tune arrangements. Port Stephens Council provided Mark and Robyn $500 each towards their costs. |
Sunny days and smiling faces
By Nigel Dique
Port Stephens provided friendship and fine weather to six visiting students and a teacher from Yugawara, continuing a tradition of reciprocal visits.
The students attended classes at St Philip's Christian College an were home hosted by families connected with the school. Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee arranged a picnic lunch at Manly beach in Sydney, a dolphin watch cruise in Port Stephens, a walk to the summit of Tomaree Headland, a visit to the local Council Chambers, to Sketchley Cottage Pioneer Museum and to Murrook Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
At the Council Chamber, students were received by Mayor Bruce Mackenzie and given a briefing by the General Manager Peter Gesling.
At Murrook, along with two Vietnamese, a Korean and a Papua New Guinean student, they attended a special presentation by Worimi Aboriginal Jonathan Lilley and his family. On the menu were kangaroo burgers, emu rissoles, freshly caught fish, damper and desserts flavoured with native plants, The students also learned about Aboriginal culture, music and dance.
They also learned how to make boomerangs, played the didgeridoo, took part in traditional Aboriginal dances and had their faces painted.
They were farewelled at the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre, where they enjoyed an Aussie barbecue and sang songs with their Australian friends and their families.
Said Sister Cities Japan Coordinator Elaine Fereday: "This annual student visit provides a wonderful opportunity for local students and our visitors to experience a different culture and to build new friendships between Port Stephens and Yugawara."
Some of the fun is captured in the pictures below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Port Stephens Sister Cities
|
|
Port Stephens Council in conjunction with Port Stephens Sister Cities is proud to support a youth delegate attending the Sister Cities Australia 2013 'Uncover Your Potential' National Conference to be held in Broken Hill 10-13 November 2013.
This is a wonderful opportunity for a young individual with leadership qualities and a strong interest in international cooperation and understanding to bolster their credentials in an outback setting.
Council will cover the cost of registration, travel, accommodation and meals. A Council-nominated supervisor will be responsible for accompanying the delegate to and from the conference.
Port Stephens residents aged between 16-23 years old are invited to apply.
To apply complete the application form (link below) and state in around 300 words why you think cultural interchange is important.
The closing date for applications is 5.00pm Friday 23 August 2013.
Send applications to: Mayor's Office
Port Stephens Council
PO Box 42
RAYMOND TERRACE NSW 2324
A panel comprising Council representatives and members of the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee will develop a short list of candidates for interview week commencing 26 August 2013, before selecting the successful candidate.
All enquiries should be directed to Nigel Dique, Port Stephens Sister Cities Chairman on 0423 024 819 or via email at nigeldique@me.com
Details about the conference can be obtained by downloading a registration brochure:-
http://www.brokenhillaustralia.com.au/event-calendar/sister-cities-confgerence/
This is a wonderful opportunity for a young individual with leadership qualities and a strong interest in international cooperation and understanding to bolster their credentials in an outback setting.
Council will cover the cost of registration, travel, accommodation and meals. A Council-nominated supervisor will be responsible for accompanying the delegate to and from the conference.
Port Stephens residents aged between 16-23 years old are invited to apply.
To apply complete the application form (link below) and state in around 300 words why you think cultural interchange is important.
The closing date for applications is 5.00pm Friday 23 August 2013.
Send applications to: Mayor's Office
Port Stephens Council
PO Box 42
RAYMOND TERRACE NSW 2324
A panel comprising Council representatives and members of the Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee will develop a short list of candidates for interview week commencing 26 August 2013, before selecting the successful candidate.
All enquiries should be directed to Nigel Dique, Port Stephens Sister Cities Chairman on 0423 024 819 or via email at nigeldique@me.com
Details about the conference can be obtained by downloading a registration brochure:-
http://www.brokenhillaustralia.com.au/event-calendar/sister-cities-confgerence/
Cherry Blossom Tour 2013 was so much fun
Tour members: Ted and Gaye Tindall; Nigel Dique; Tony and Ileana Clarke; Jim and Annette Neale
By Nigel Dique
By Nigel Dique
By any measure the 'Cherry Blossom' sister cities tour over three weeks in April 2013 was an outstanding success, even though we missed out on the cherry blossoms, which bloomed earlier than expected.
The Japanese lived up to their reputation for hospitality, rolling out the red carpet on our arrival and at the receptions at each of the sister cities Tateyama, Yugawara and Kushiro.
Big welcomes and receptions were the order of the day, with Mayoral speeches and cultural exchange associations presenting dance, music and martial arts performances by artists and students.
The warmth and generosity of our host families, who went to great lengths to show us regional attractions during each of our 3-night home stays, were beyond our expectations, laying the foundations for firm friendships. It will be a real challenge to reciprocate, but we look forward to the opportunity to do so.
For most the group, some of whom had not been to Japan before, this was a new experience. For me, as newly installed Chairman of Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee, it was a valuable education and a real insight into how seriously our sister cities take the relationship. The media were hot on our trail, recording our visit with stories and pictures in the local newspapers.
The Japanese lived up to their reputation for hospitality, rolling out the red carpet on our arrival and at the receptions at each of the sister cities Tateyama, Yugawara and Kushiro.
Big welcomes and receptions were the order of the day, with Mayoral speeches and cultural exchange associations presenting dance, music and martial arts performances by artists and students.
The warmth and generosity of our host families, who went to great lengths to show us regional attractions during each of our 3-night home stays, were beyond our expectations, laying the foundations for firm friendships. It will be a real challenge to reciprocate, but we look forward to the opportunity to do so.
For most the group, some of whom had not been to Japan before, this was a new experience. For me, as newly installed Chairman of Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee, it was a valuable education and a real insight into how seriously our sister cities take the relationship. The media were hot on our trail, recording our visit with stories and pictures in the local newspapers.
|
|
Gifts to sister cities
At each of the receptions Ted made a speech on our behalf and announced the chairmanship transition consequent on his move to Green Point, near Forster, NSW. He also presented each city with gifts: an Australian children's book, a map, miniature model native animals and aboriginal clap sticks for library or school use.
At Kushiro Ileana read children's stories at the municipal library weekly book reading session (Japanese students learning English are keen to hear it spoken by native speakers). An artist, she also entertained the children and their parents by showing how to sketch Australian fauna. This is what cultural interchange is all about.
While in Kushiro we visited the wetlands, which we found instructive given the sister wetland agreement with Kooragang near Port Stephens.
Travelling as a group, we took advantage of the breaks between each sister city visit to explore places of historical and cultural interest including Takayama, Hakodate and Sapporo, relying largely on Ted, with his previous experience to lead the way.
We left Japan fascinated and delighted by the people and their culture, a big appetite for Japanese food, and a strong desire to return.
Our thanks go to Mayors Kenichi Kanamaru (Tateyama), Yukihiro Tomita (Yugawara) and Ebina Hiroya (Kushiro) and their staffs; to the Tateyama International Exchange Society and the Katori International Friendship Association; the Yugawara International Exchange Association; the Kushiro Volunteer International Exchange Association and the Lovely Australia Club.
Finally a big thank you to our Japan Coordinator Elaine Fereday for her efforts in planning the trip.
Now let the pictures tell the story.
At Kushiro Ileana read children's stories at the municipal library weekly book reading session (Japanese students learning English are keen to hear it spoken by native speakers). An artist, she also entertained the children and their parents by showing how to sketch Australian fauna. This is what cultural interchange is all about.
While in Kushiro we visited the wetlands, which we found instructive given the sister wetland agreement with Kooragang near Port Stephens.
Travelling as a group, we took advantage of the breaks between each sister city visit to explore places of historical and cultural interest including Takayama, Hakodate and Sapporo, relying largely on Ted, with his previous experience to lead the way.
We left Japan fascinated and delighted by the people and their culture, a big appetite for Japanese food, and a strong desire to return.
Our thanks go to Mayors Kenichi Kanamaru (Tateyama), Yukihiro Tomita (Yugawara) and Ebina Hiroya (Kushiro) and their staffs; to the Tateyama International Exchange Society and the Katori International Friendship Association; the Yugawara International Exchange Association; the Kushiro Volunteer International Exchange Association and the Lovely Australia Club.
Finally a big thank you to our Japan Coordinator Elaine Fereday for her efforts in planning the trip.
Now let the pictures tell the story.
Tateyama tales
|
|
|
|
|
Yugawara wonders
|
|
|
Kushiro capers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A new Chairman
The Port Stephens Sister Cities Committee elected Nigel Dique as Chairman on 22 March 2013 after former Chairman Ted Tindall, who recently married and moved to Forster, decided not to seek re-election.
Mr Dique retired to Port Stephens in 2010 after a long career in journalism and public relations in Sydney.
He paid tribute to Mr Tindall for his community service in Port Stephens. "For many years Ted has been a devoted and committed leader in the Sister Cities program, which promotes educational and cultural interchange in the interests of world peace," Mr Dique said.
"Ted's legacy in Port Stephens goes way beyond Sister Cities -- he was nine years as Treasurer of the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre and spent five years as a volunteer with Marine Rescue.
"He travelled often to our sister cities Tateyama, Yugawara and Kushiro in Japan, and Bellingham in the U.S., organised student exchange trips and played a key role in arranging excursions for visiting student groups.
"Filling his shoes will be a challenge, but I look forward to the opportunity."
Tindall and Dique are part of a Port Stephens Sister Cities delegation visiting Japan in April 2013. The others are Gaye Tindall, Tony and Ileana Clarke, and Jim and Annette Neale.
Mr Dique retired to Port Stephens in 2010 after a long career in journalism and public relations in Sydney.
He paid tribute to Mr Tindall for his community service in Port Stephens. "For many years Ted has been a devoted and committed leader in the Sister Cities program, which promotes educational and cultural interchange in the interests of world peace," Mr Dique said.
"Ted's legacy in Port Stephens goes way beyond Sister Cities -- he was nine years as Treasurer of the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre and spent five years as a volunteer with Marine Rescue.
"He travelled often to our sister cities Tateyama, Yugawara and Kushiro in Japan, and Bellingham in the U.S., organised student exchange trips and played a key role in arranging excursions for visiting student groups.
"Filling his shoes will be a challenge, but I look forward to the opportunity."
Tindall and Dique are part of a Port Stephens Sister Cities delegation visiting Japan in April 2013. The others are Gaye Tindall, Tony and Ileana Clarke, and Jim and Annette Neale.
A significant award
Port Stephens Sister Cities won a significant award at the Sister Cities Australia Annual Conference in Devonport, Tasmania, in November, 2012.
The Single Event National Award went to Port Stephens Sister Cities for excellence in holding the 2012 Pacific Rim Yachting Challenge (Pacrim) jointly with Port Stephens Yacht Club.
“It was great to be able receive the award on behalf of our committee,” said Bill Armstrong of Corlette, the Port Stephens Sister Cities Delegate.
“Anyone who had anything to do with Pacrim, held in March this year, will know what a marvellous event it was, not only for the competitive racing, but in fostering international friendships and understanding.”
Mr Armstrong received three trophies, one for Port Stephens, one for Bellingham, which initiated the event, and one for the major sister city of Tateyama.
Around 120 sailors and supporters from Bellingham USA, Victoria Canada, Tateyama Japan, Tauranga NZ, Nahodka Russia and Port Stephens competed, with 34 families home-hosting crews.
Pacrim is held every two years, with the next event to be held in Bellingham.
The Single Event National Award went to Port Stephens Sister Cities for excellence in holding the 2012 Pacific Rim Yachting Challenge (Pacrim) jointly with Port Stephens Yacht Club.
“It was great to be able receive the award on behalf of our committee,” said Bill Armstrong of Corlette, the Port Stephens Sister Cities Delegate.
“Anyone who had anything to do with Pacrim, held in March this year, will know what a marvellous event it was, not only for the competitive racing, but in fostering international friendships and understanding.”
Mr Armstrong received three trophies, one for Port Stephens, one for Bellingham, which initiated the event, and one for the major sister city of Tateyama.
Around 120 sailors and supporters from Bellingham USA, Victoria Canada, Tateyama Japan, Tauranga NZ, Nahodka Russia and Port Stephens competed, with 34 families home-hosting crews.
Pacrim is held every two years, with the next event to be held in Bellingham.
Home-hosted hospitality
Port Stephens girls wearing kimonos and boys in yukatas.
By Ted Tindall
In August 2012 six visiting students and a teacher from Yugawara experienced Port Stephens culture, cuisine and home-hosted hospitality, and made lovely friendships both through the hosting and at the school.
Their visit continued a tradition in which Yugawara students visit Port Stephens and attend St Philip’s Christian College each August.
The following month seven Port Stephens students enjoyed a reciprocal visit to Yugawara where we were treated like royalty.
Japan is still quite hot in September but the change from the previous visit in July 2010 was a huge improvement both in temperature and humidity.
At Yugawara Junior High School the students participated in classes and took kendo as an after-school activity.
We did some Aussie songs at an assembly of the 600 or so students and marveled at the skills of the school band.
This year also we had the opportunity to visit Ishinomaki … a city in the Fukushima prefecture, one of the places most damaged by the tsunami 18 months previously (no, we were nowhere near the damaged nuclear power plants!).
There are still some 3,000 people unaccounted for and the devastation, including great piles of cars and rubbish is astonishing. We made a tiny contribution cleaning up rubbish, which was greatly appreciated by the few remaining local people.
Each of these visits has strengthened the bond of friendship between our two cities.
In August 2012 six visiting students and a teacher from Yugawara experienced Port Stephens culture, cuisine and home-hosted hospitality, and made lovely friendships both through the hosting and at the school.
Their visit continued a tradition in which Yugawara students visit Port Stephens and attend St Philip’s Christian College each August.
The following month seven Port Stephens students enjoyed a reciprocal visit to Yugawara where we were treated like royalty.
Japan is still quite hot in September but the change from the previous visit in July 2010 was a huge improvement both in temperature and humidity.
At Yugawara Junior High School the students participated in classes and took kendo as an after-school activity.
We did some Aussie songs at an assembly of the 600 or so students and marveled at the skills of the school band.
This year also we had the opportunity to visit Ishinomaki … a city in the Fukushima prefecture, one of the places most damaged by the tsunami 18 months previously (no, we were nowhere near the damaged nuclear power plants!).
There are still some 3,000 people unaccounted for and the devastation, including great piles of cars and rubbish is astonishing. We made a tiny contribution cleaning up rubbish, which was greatly appreciated by the few remaining local people.
Each of these visits has strengthened the bond of friendship between our two cities.
