The Sister City movement is a worldwide concept focusing on community values and exchanges that encourage international understanding and appreciation of different nationalities and cultures. The concept originated in the United States of America shortly after World War II. In 1980, the Australian Sister City Association (ASCA) was founded and today there are more than 200 Australian towns and cities with more than 460 overseas affiliations. ASCA is part of an international effort to encourage understanding and co-operation.
The Gladstone Region’s Sister City relationship with Saiki City, Japan began 30 years ago in 1996 and is centred around a lasting and meaningful relationship that encourages, promotes and enhances the connection with Saiki City.
The cities were matched as ideal sister cities because of their ports, fishing and industrial bases, love of the sea, agricultural markets, gardening activities, along with similar climate, population and size of the area.
A Gladstone Regional Council delegation travelled to Japan in July 2019, with the Mayor speaking at many events and highlighting tourist attractions, business and trade opportunities and similarities between the two areas.
The exchange of knowledge, culture and education has been invaluable over the years, with both Gladstone and Saiki benefiting from this long-standing friendship.
Saiki City, in Oita Prefecture, is located on Japan's southern island of Kyushu, 780km south-west of Tokyo and 150km east of Fukuoka City. It is the fifth largest city in the eastern prefecture of Oita and the centre of the south-east region of Oita. Saiki is pleasantly located on Saiki Bay, part of the Bungo Channel that feeds the Inland Sea of Japan (Setonaikai).
Situated on the coastline, Saiki experiences mild weather all year round due to the influence of the warm currents along the Bungo Channel. Rainfall is most prevalent from June to early July, and the chance of snow is limited.
Ayako’s Story
Committee Member Ayako Carrick speaks of her first visit to beautiful Saiki City.(PDF, 78KB)
Learn more about beautiful Saiki City
Demographics of Saiki
- Area 197 km2
- Population 51,675
- Number of workers 25,098
- Households 19,426
- Schools 21
- Businesses 3324
Major Industries
- Local produce, mainly strawberries
- Cement
- Shipbuilding
- Fridges/Freezers
- Pearls
- Roses
- Dried Fish
- Yellowtail
Gladstone – Saiki Sister City Events
Celebrating 28 years of friendship: An evening in the Japanese Tea Garden
Gladstone Regional Council has proudly celebrated 28 years of friendship with Saiki City, hosting a cultural evening for residents in the Japanese Tea Garden at Tondoon Botanic Gardens.
On the 4th September 2024, we celebrated the anniversary with 120 community members who enjoyed activities such as tea tasting, wearing kimono, calligraphy, paper fan art and origami. Attendees were also treated to performances by Toko-ton Taiko drumming group and a Koto performance by Mr. David Shield, president of the Australia-Japan Society of Queensland.
The Japanese Tea Gardens were looking beautiful, with the installation of a new tsukubai at the entrance. The Consul General of Japan in Brisbane, Mr Gomakubo, was a special guest at the event.
The committee also coordinated 3 community taiko drumming workshops, and 2 school visits to introduce students to the Koto. It was wonderful to see the community embrace this opportunity to lean about the sister city relationship and Japanese culture.
Events
Many of our events are in collaboration with the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum.
Please contact the Gladstone Region Neighbourhood Centre on (07) 4976 6300 or email info@gladstone.qld.gov.au for more information.