Tamworth and Sister City Sannohe

Visit aims to broaden Sister City links with Sannohe

Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb and the Mayor of Sannohe Town Council Kasuhiko Matsuo have today committed to exploring ways to broaden the Sister Cities relationship between their communities.

“Both councils have today reaffirmed their commitment to continue to develop this unique relationship,’’ said Cr Webb. “While the protocol establishes guidelines for civic visits, Mayor Kasuhiko Matsuo and I are keen to discuss opportunities for how we can broaden our Sister City links through building citizen to citizen connections through cultural, business and educational exchanges.”

Sannohe is one of the Tamworth region’s longest Sister City relationships, dating back to 1983 when the then Tamworth City Council started hosting an annual visit by the Sakura Princesses during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. The relationship was formalised in 2001.

Cr Webb acknowledged local resident Bill Forrest and his son Allan who played an instrumental role in building links with Sannohe. Bill was a Rotarian and Allan took part in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

Sannohe Rotarian and former councillor Katsuyoshi Sakamoto is among the current group of visitors. He has visited Tamworth five times.