Estonia - Media Releases
Last modified: April 6, 2009 - 1:51 PM
On this page you will find all the media released by Wollondilly Shire Council regarding its Sister Region Relationship.
Tree Planting to Bolster Sister's Relationship
Mayor Phillip Costa and Estonian representatives will further cement the Sister Region relationship with the planting of a tree at Australia Day Celebrations.
“We will have local members of the Estonia Community to help Mayor Costa plant the tree,” said Wollondilly Shire Council’s General Manager Mr Les McMahon.
“It will be an Oak Tree, which is the national tree of Estonia, and will signify the close relationship Wollondilly has with Estonian.
”The tree dedication is an idea that rose out of the first meeting of The Sister Region Community Committee.”
The Sister Region Community Committee was formed to develop cultural and educational ties between Wollondilly and Viljandi.
The Committee has one representative from Council, two from The Oaks Historical Society, two from the Wollondilly Artists Group, one from Picton High School, one from Wollondilly Anglican College, two from the Estonian Village and Koit Society and the Consul General.
“We had a very productive meeting, with some great suggestions apart from the Tree planting coming out of it,” said Mr McMahon.
“We will be looking into a Student Exchange program, touring exhibitions, historical connections and sporting activities.
“Our top priority is establishing the Student Exchange Program, so we are talking to local Principals about their feelings on the Program.
“If possible, we would like it to be run by a teacher with some Estonian background, to get the most out of the Program.
“The Committee envisions connections between the Curriculum in the two regions, information resources, and studies in textile, economics, history and agriculture.”
Media Contact:
Kate Walsh, Communications Unit Team Leader
Ph: 4677 1178 Mob: 0400 485850 Email: kate.walsh@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au
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Estonian Sister
Wollondilly Shire Council is proud to have formed a new “Sister City” with the Estonian region of Viljandi.
In July 2005 Council’s General Manager Mr Les McMahon attended the 60th anniversary of the Estonian Village at Thirlmere.
While at the Anniversary Celebrations Mr McMahon spoke to Estonia’s Consular General in Australia.
“My wife and I were planning a family holiday to Scandinavia at the time, and began to talk about visiting Estonia to see the Country that had had such an input into our Shire on the other side of the world,” said General Manager Mr Les McMahon.
“This quickly turned into a Sister City discussion.
“We looked at a number of Australian Councils with Sister Cities, and what struck us was the fact that there was rarely a solid link between the two areas at all.
“But we already have a concrete shared background and strong Community relations to build our sister relationship upon.”
Sister Cities can help both parties in terms of Cultural and Educational exchanges, historic links and economic links. Council intends to use the relationship to develop cultural and economic cooperative agreements.
The process of finding and inviting a suitable area in Estonia to become a “Sister City” took around 12 months.
“We wanted a place that had a similar geographical feel to it as Wollondilly, and were searching the entire Country for the right town,” said Mr McMahon.
“The Consular General, who had remained involved, actually suggested Viljandi as she had personal ties there.
“While Viljandi has sister city relationships with other towns around the World, they are yet to form one in Australia.
“They were happy to be invited.”
Mr McMahon visited with local officials and presented them with a plaque commemorating the proposed Sister City relationship. He funded the trip himself.
Council has worked with The Oaks Historical Society, the Estonian Relief Committee and the Thirlmere Estonian Society to lay the foundations for the proposal.
“We look forward to an exchange of people and ideas between the two countries,” said Mr McMahon."
Media Contacts:
Kate Walsh – Communications Team Leader:
02 4677 1178 / 0400 48 58 50
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Contact details
Wollondilly Shire Council
02 4677 1100 (ph)
02 4677 2339 (fax)
council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au
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