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Latrobe and Takasago strengthen sister city ties through cultural exchange, sport, education, and goodwill initiatives

Latrobe City welcomed a Takasago Sister City delegation, fostering cultural exchange, sport, education, and goodwill through student activities, official meetings, and a symbolic cherry tree planting to strengthen the long-standing partnership.

By news@gippsland - 11th August 2025 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council hosted a delegation from its Sister City Takasago from 1 August to 5 August 2025. The visit included Takasago Mayor, Tatsuyoshi Tokura, four official delegates and students. Delegates were greeted on Friday with a welcome reception at Council headquarters, which included students meeting their homestay hosts. This was the first time delegates have returned since 2018.

Latrobe City welcomed Takasago delegates and students, marking their first visit since 2018 with a warm reception and cultural exchange activities

Showcasing Latrobe's excellence

This visit was an opportunity to showcase Latrobe City's sporting talent, world-class venues, and educational institutions - highlighting how sport is integrated into the curriculum to support students achieve their academic and sporting goals.

The council hosted eight students aged 12 to 17 years old. During their visit students learned to play pickleball and lawn bowls, visited the Lowanna College Sport Academy and experienced GippsTech sports science courses. Students also visited Old Gippstown in Moe, the Latrobe Regional Airport and the Latrobe Regional Gallery, where they viewed the Japanese wood block print collection.

Students also had the chance to meet with the Latrobe City Youth Council which was a wonderful opportunity to foster collaboration, build cultural understanding and inspire each other. The Takasago International Association asked students to develop a presentation for delivery to Council and school representatives, which included Japanese Martial Arts, food culture and pop culture.

Strengthening sister relations

Latrobe City Council Mayor, Councillor Dale Harriman, met with Takasago Mayor, Tatsuyoshi Tokura and other delegates to further enhance our important Sister City relationship and share updates on our region, nurturing an important business connection.

"We discussed the Future Goodwill Ambassador exchange program, teacher exchange, community-based sports club management and exchanged formal gifts. I'm grateful to our Takasago delegates for their visit, it was a great learning experience for all involved. I hope to welcome delegates back again soon and extend my sincerest thanks to our guests for visiting Latrobe City," said the Mayor.

Latrobe City Council Mayor, Councillor Dale Harriman, Cr Sharon Gibson and Takasago Mayor, Tatsuyoshi Tokura

Sister cities united

The Sister City relationship was solidified through a monumental tree planting. Together with Takasago Mayor, Tatsuyoshi Tokura, a Prunus Mt Fuji - Japanese flowering cherry tree was planted. The tree was planted on Breed Street in Traralgon and signifies the important relationship between our two cities.

The Latrobe-Takasago relationship was born out of the friendship formed through economic projects in the 1980s and then formalised as a sister city partnership in 2000 and reaffirmed in 2023. The aim is to foster mutual understanding and cooperation across key areas of education, culture, trade, tourism, and sport.

Pictures from Latrobe City Council website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com