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World and local events hit home as Sister City student visit is postponed

The uncertainty following the terrorist attacks in the United States, along with the financial collapse of Ansett Airlines, has forced Latrobe City Council to postpone its Student Visit to Takasago City.

By Latrobe City Council - 21st September 2001 - Back to News

The uncertainty following the terrorist attacks in the United States, along with the financial collapse of Ansett Airlines, has forced Latrobe City Council to postpone its Student Visit to Takasago City.

Latrobe City Mayor Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said the decision had not been taken lightly by Council, but at the end of the day the safety of the students and the peace of mind of their families was paramount.

"The decision to postpone the visit means that it can be arranged for a later date when both the international and domestic situations have been resolved. The likely timeframe for the visit will now be April 2002," Cr Jenkins said.

"Naturally the students are very disappointed as they have raised thousands of dollars in sponsorship and fundraising for what was to be a trip of a lifetime. We have assured them that we will do everything in our power to ensure the visit goes ahead at a later date.

"The problem has been compounded by the collapse of Ansett, as the students were due to fly on the carrier to Osaka this Saturday. It was highly unlikely that the students would have been able to fly, so by postponing the visit we have kept open the possibility of having the tickets honoured at a later date. If this does not occur then it is expected that insurance would cover the costs associated with the tickets and alternative arrangements with another carrier can then be made," Cr Jenkins said.

"We have spoken to Takasago City, our Sister City, and they fully understand our position. In fact they have said they would have taken the same approach themselves if the roles were reversed.

"It is disappointingly ironic that Sister City activities, which are designed to develop understanding and friendship throughout the world, have been put on hold, significantly because of terrorist threats. It demonstrates the need for more friendships, more awareness and more understanding to be developed right around the world," Cr Jenkins added.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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