Sister Cities - Minami (formerly Hiwasa), Japan
Face of a Sister City Photo Exhibition - MinamiThe Sister City Agreement between Cairns and Hiwasa was signed in 1969 - Cairns' first Sister City. Recently, Council signed a new agreement with the new municipality of Minami Town which now incorporates Hiwasa.
The relationship with Hiwasa began with an interest by the Mayor of Hiwasa in the movement of the Loggerhead turtle, and Cairns sending a species of the turtle to the Hiwasa museum for display.
Although the population of Cairns has increased rapidly and the city is a recognised tourist destination, Hiwasa has maintained its old world charm as a fishing village and maintains its culture and the development of local craft. Cairns and Hiwasa are coastal, are surrounded by mountain backdrops, have inlets and agricultural developments.
Reciprocal visits between students and the community continue, due largely to the contribution of the Australian Japan Society Cairns.
In April 2009 we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of our Sister City relationship. Councillor Di Forsyth and members of the Australian Japan Society Cairns travelled to Minami for the celebrations and presented a print by local Cairns Artist, Brian Robinson, "Waterworld of the Waru" depicting two turtles.
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ww.nmt.ne.jp/~hiwasa/
(This site is in Japanese)