The Town of Sidney is gearing up to celebrate four decades of international friendship as it marks the 40th anniversary of its sister city relationship with Cairns, Queensland, Australia this year.
The Sidney Sister Cities Association (SSCA) has announced a series of events to commemorate this milestone, including a special gathering at the Mary Winspear Centre on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. The event will feature invited guests, the Mayor of Sidney, and Cairns Sister Cities Ambassador Sim Hayward.
To showcase the longstanding relationship, a display about Cairns will be mounted at the Mary Winspear Centre from Sept. 20 to Nov. 1. The Sidney Museum will also host a related exhibit throughout November.
Chris McCarthy, Cairns Representative for the SSCA, emphasized the importance of sister city relationships in promoting peace through mutual respect, cooperation, and understanding.
"Over the years, Sidney has participated in various cultural exchanges with Cairns, including ceramics and fabric arts shows, photographic exhibits, and youth ambassador programs," McCarthy said.
The sister city agreement between Sidney and Cairns was first established in May 1984, marking Sidney's first such international partnership. Cairns, known for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and vibrant arts community, shares similarities with Sidney as a coastal city with a focus on tourism.
As part of the celebrations, the public is invited to learn more about the sister city relationship and upcoming events by visiting the SSCA's Facebook page and website.
