Federation Council is thrilled to announce the upcoming return of our friends from Miki City, Japan, in mid-2026 for the 29th year of our cherished sister city program. We're calling on our wonderful community to help us plan and organize an unforgettable itinerary of activities and events for their visit!
This enduring sister city relationship fosters invaluable connections between our two nations, offering alternating delegations from Federation Council and Miki City the chance to experience each other's cultures firsthand, create lasting memories, and forge lifelong friendships.
"We are incredibly excited to welcome our friends from Miki City back to Federation Council," said Mayor Cr Cheryl Cook. "The sister city program is a testament to the strong bonds we've built over nearly three decades. It's a unique opportunity for our community to share our vibrant culture and warm country hospitality, while also learning from our Japanese counterparts. We truly value this exchange and look forward to working with our residents to make the 2026 visit the best one yet."
We're forming an Advisory Committee to help make the 2026 visit a resounding success. This committee will be instrumental in:
- Organizing the itinerary: Identifying top spots to visit and showcasing our region's hospitality.
- Supporting host families: Assisting Council in coordinating accommodation.
- Assisting with events: Helping with welcome and farewell activities.
- Seeking sponsorships: Working with Council to secure support from local businesses.
- Engaging the community: Involving businesses, community groups, and schools in program activities.
- Promoting the relationship: Helping spread the word about the Miki City visit and the committee.
The committee generally commits to:
- One monthly meeting (face-to-face or online) in the lead-up.
- Weekly meetings in the month before the visit.
- Attendance at one or more events and activities during the visit.
What's in it for You?
Joining the Advisory Committee offers a rewarding experience, allowing you to:
- Learn about Japanese culture.
- Make new friends and connections.
- Showcase the beautiful Federation area to an international audience.
For past Miki City exchange participants, it's a wonderful opportunity to give back to the program.
In 2023, a Miki City delegation enjoyed a five-day tour of the Federation Council area, immersing themselves in local life. Their experiences included visiting farm animals and wildlife at Coonong Station with Urana Public School students, exploring the Urana Courthouse Museum, and capturing photos along the sculpture trail from Corowa to Urana. They also participated in golf lessons at Yarrawonga-Mulwala Golf Club, joined classroom activities at Oaklands Central School, and attended a special screening of the Miki-Federation 25-year celebration documentary short film at the Corowa Golf Club. Cultural highlights included a smoking ceremony and guided walk in the Collendina Reserve, and southern hemisphere stargazing.
In 2024, a Federation Council delegation embarked on a nine-day adventure through Miki City. Their packed itinerary included hands-on experiences like cooking sushi, making chopsticks, and participating in traditional Japanese tea customs. They also toured a Sake brewery, visited the Gayain Temple and the World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle, explored the "E Defence" Earthquake Engineering Research Centre and a hardware factory, and even tried playing the "Koto" Japanese harp. Other memorable visits included the Mikiyamu Forest Park, the Glico Dairy Plant, Miki Fire Department, and the Tamaoki-ke Historical Mansion.
A key element of the program is the opportunity for participants to stay with local host families, offering a truly immersive experience in day-to-day life.
Candidates interested in joining the Advisory Committee are invited to complete the online nomination form available from Council's website. Following the nomination period, an assessment panel will convene to select representatives for the available positions.
Nominations are open from Monday 28 July to Friday 22 August, 2025 and further information is available from Council's website
