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Viljandi

Wollondilly and Estonia – Sister Regions

Wollondilly Shire Council has entered into a relationship with a region in Estonia known as Viljandi.

The sister region relationship allows an exchange of cultural information. Wollondilly Shire, particularly Thirlmere, has a considerable Estonian population.  This cultural exchange has the potential to benefit both the communities of Wollondilly and Viljandi.

Mr Les McMahon, General Manager of Wollondilly Shre Council, attended the 60th anniversary of the Estonian Village as part of the Estonian Relief Committee. This function was attended by federal members, state members, the mayor and Estonian Consul General.

During her speech the Consul General invited everyone present to visit Estonia.

Mr McMahon and his wife had planned to visit Scandinavia in mid 2006 and thought that a visit to Estonia could form part of his self-funded trip – it was from here that the idea of a Sister City relationship formed.

Mr McMahon contacted Mart Rampe, chairman of the Estonian relief committee to discuss idea and received whole-hearted support.  He was received with similar enthusiasm by the Mayor and Councillors of Wollondilly Shire Council, again gaining support for the idea.

A report was prepared outlining the benefits of a Sister City/Region and the Mayor publicly acknowledged that Mr McMahon would be investigating a sister City relationship with a town in Estonia as part of his Annual Leave.

Council then received additional support from Estonian Relief Committee, the Thirlmere Estonian Society “Koit” Incorporated and the Oaks Historical Society – Heritage Project. Following this they liaised with the Consul General to decide on the best part of Estonia to form a Sister City relationship with.

This led to the selection of Viljandi, an area with which the Consul General had personal ties. Although they had a number of Sister Cities established already, they had none in Australia and were quite excited by the proposal.

Following an exchange of letters, Mr McMahon met the Governor of Viljandi and formalised the Sister Region Relationship.

Contact details
Wollondilly Shire Council
02 4677 1100 (ph)
02 4677 2339 (fax)
council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au

© 2008 Wollondilly Shire Council
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