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Latrobe City Youth Band wins national awards

The Latrobe City Youth Band was the proud recipient of two awards at the recent 2004 Australian Sister Cities Association (ASCA) National Conference.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 11th August 2004 - Back to News

The band was awarded the Best Youth Project and Community Involvement awards in recognition of the Youth Band’s tour of Latobe’s two sister cities, Takasago and Taizhou, which took place earlier this year.

Latrobe City Youth Band Director, David Williams, said that he is proud of the achievements of the band members, whose hard work during the tour and leading up to the event certainly deserved recognition.

"The dedication and commitment of all 30 band members from the outset was extremely inspiring. They diligently attended rehearsals, cultural awareness sessions, performances, training camps and fundraising activities," Mr Williams said.

Latrobe City’s General Manager City Relations, Mark Brady, said that the Youth Band initiative has not only been a great experience for the youth involved, but also extremely successful in engaging the entire community in Latrobe’s Sister City relationships and instilling civic pride.

"The benefits from the Sister Cities tour range from personal and musical development for the band members to increased awareness and participation in Council’s international relations program," Mr Brady said.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said that the Australian Sister Cities Association National Conference is a great forum for Latrobe to display projects that have been developed as a result of its sister city relationships, such as the establishment of the Latrobe City Youth Band.

"The annual Australian Sister Cities Association conference enables Councillors and representatives from various cities around Australia to come together to discuss many issues relating to the 500 international relationships that have been established between Australian and other foreign cities," Cr White said.

"We have a wonderful relationship with our two Sister Cities, Takasago and Taizhou, and we have initiated some wonderful projects to enhance this relationship, including the Youth Band Tour. I was extremely proud to see our City receive recognition at this year’s conference."

Councillor White said that he is also looking forward to the 2005 ASCA Conference which will be hosted by Latrobe City from September 25 to 28 next year.

"We hope that friends from our Sister Cities and delegates from Australia and abroad can come and be part of this great conference and also take the opportunity to explore our beautiful city while they are here," Cr White concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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