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Global Friendship Cities

Global Friendship in Willoughby

Willoughby City Council has three formal sister city or “friendly city” relationships. They are with Bingara (NSW), Suginami (Japan) and our most recent addition Jinniu District (China). These relationships are reflective of our community and are based on community development and cultural exchange.

Council’s Global Friendship Committee co-ordinates these relationships and advises Council on all matters relating to sister city ties and humanitarian based projects. The Committee consists of Councillors, Council officers and community representatives.

Sister cities in Willoughby

Suginami, Japan

Willoughby’s first sister city relationship was signed with Suginami, the 8th largest city in Tokyo, Japan in May 1990. The aim of the agreement was to encourage a close friendship between the two areas, cultural, community, educational, sporting and economic exchange and to further peace and understanding. The relationship was also reflective of the large proportion of Willoughby residents from a Japanese speaking background.

The most successful and enduring exchange has been that of the student exchange which has occurred every two years since the signing. Several staff exchanges have also taken place in order to share knowledge and expertise between the two Councils.

Bingara, NSW

Bingara was the next sister city to join with Willoughby. The relationship arose following a period of terrible drought in NSW. Bingara, located 150km north of Tamworth (604km north of Sydney) was hit hard in 1994 and Willoughby’s then Mayor, John Squire, initiated a campaign to provide relief to Bingara families. 250 Christmas presents were provided to Bingara children along with a community donation of $3,000.

Today Bingara encompasses a diverse landscape which is both picturesque and productive. It is also home to the beautiful Roxy Theatre. The theatre embraces some of the most striking original art deco architecture in New South Wales and it still contains the original fixtures and fittings, including the ornate stucco plaster, paintwork and coloured lights from 1936.

The relationship with Bingara is a close one with representatives from Bingara and Willoughby participating in formal and informal visits throughout the year. Willoughby participates in Bingara’s Orange Festival annually, and Bingara participates in the Willoughby Street Fair. A youth exchange between the two occurs every year and provides a great opportunity for local students to experience country-city life.

Jinniu District, China

In 2007 Council entered into a friendly city arrangement with Jinniu District, China. Jinniu is located in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in the southwest. Chengdu has been the economic and cultural centre of China's most populous province since 400 BC.

In October 2007 a delegation led by Mayor Cr Pat Reilly arrived in the Jinniu District to sign the Friendly City Relationship Agreement. The delegation consisted mostly of local community and business representatives, many of whom are members of the Australia Asia Friendship Forum.

In 2008 Chengdu was hit by a large earthquake killing thousands of people and devastating local infrastructure. Willoughby’s anticipated student exchange with Jinniu’s 8th Middle School was postponed due to the crisis and instead Willoughby undertook a fundraising drive and good-will community activity in order to raise awareness of the plight. Find out more about Jinniu's reponse.

It is hoped that the link between Willoughby and Jinniu will bring greater cultural understanding, promote community development and create long lasting friendships for future generations to enjoy. It is anticipated that Jinniu and Willoughby will enjoy a range of mutually beneficial programs.

Delegation from Guardia Sanfromondi, Italy

Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly and Guardia Mayor Ludovico Prete Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly and Guardia Mayor Ludovico Prete
On Thursday 6th November 2008 a small delegation from Guardia, Sanframondi Italy arrived in Willoughby as part of the 10 year anniversary of the arrival of the statue of Our Lady of the Assumption at St Leonard’s Church, Naremburn.

The dedication of the statue was made to the many Italian community parish representatives in celebration of Our Lady and the connection between the communities of Guardia and Willoughby. (Between 1950 and 1970 several members of the Guardia community migrated to Sydney. Many of them still live in Willoughby today.) While Guardia has only a very small populous - 5,500 people approximately - it is rich in history and agricultural expertise.

It is a promontory town or commune located in the Province of Benevento in the Campania region of Italy. The town is home to medieval castles and traditions with most of the old section of the town accessible only by foot. Below the town is one of the most cooperative wineries in Europe. Guardia is best known for it’s hosting of the riti settennali di penitenza or penitential rite held every seven years. The rite honours the discovery of the Madonna and Child statue found in a local field hundreds of years ago.

Today Guardia is urbanised with citizens preferring the newer style homes and retail outlets that circle the “old town”. They still celebrate and respect their rich culture and history. They wish to share this history and community spirit with the people of Willoughby.

Willoughby City Council’s Global Friendship Committee is currently investigating how the people of Willoughby might better link with Guardia, creating reciprocal opportunities in the areas of culture, education, travel and economic development now and into the future.