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Last modified: 27 Nov 2023 1:08pm

A group of people in front of Darfield High School Sign

The Malvern Community Board, with support from the Selwyn Sister Cities Committee, were delighted to host a delegation from Yubetsu, their Japanese Sister City, to mark two decades of friendship.

Yubetsu, a region on the northern coast of Hokkaido, is a major fishing port but shares many similarities with the Malvern area, known for intensive cropping and dairy farming.

Yubetsu Mayor Mr Karita led the delegation, with Council Chairperson Mr Murata, Sister City Committee Chair Mrs Uchino and Council officer Mr Nakagawa.

The four-day visit explored different aspects of the Selwyn community, including a day in the Lake Coleridge and Hororātā areas, visiting dairy and sheep-milking farms and watching the traditional sheep-shearing.

The delegation also visited the Council Rolleston offices and Te Ara Ātea. Mr Bruce Russell, Acting Chair of the Malvern Community Board provided a garden visit to his home in West Melton.

The delayed twenty-year visit was marked by a tree-planting ceremony in Tussock Square in Darfield, followed by a formal welcome at the Darfield Service Centre and Library.

A dinner on the final night of the visit gave members of the wider community who have visited Yubetsu or have hosted Yubetsu visitors, an opportunity to meet the visitors and renew friendships.

During the evening Sister Cities Chairperson, Allison Rosanowski and Avis Hewson were presented with special awards from the Yubetsu Town Council to mark their contributions to the relationship.

Allison said “our enduring connection with Yubetsu is a testament to the strength of international friendships. It's an honour to be recognised by the Yubetsu Town Council, and we look forward to fostering this relationship for years to come”.

A group of Yubetsu High School students arrived after the delegation to spend 10 days at Darfield High School, a reciprocal relationship that has been ongoing for over 23 years.

A delegation from the Malvern Community Board and the wider community plan to visit Yubetsu in 2024 or 2025, to celebrate 25 years of friendship.