Honbetsu town on Hokkaido in the north of Japan is Mitchell Shire’s sister city. This affiliation has seen the development of mutual interest in culture, education and tourism. Exchange of local produce has also proven to be popular with the two communities.
Mitchell residents have taken the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of Japanese culture through Council’s sister city relations.
Representatives of Honbetsu Town Council have visited Mitchell Shire and several Mitchell delegations have made return visits to Japan in the five years since Sister City relations were first established with the former Shire of Kilmore. In 1996, members of the Mitchell community and Council travelled to Japan to sign an agreement reaffirming the Sister City relationship
A delegation of students from Honbetsu has visited Mitchell Shire each year and last year, students from Broadford Secondary College spent time with their teacher in Honbetsu. Council hopes to establish regular student exchanges.
For further information contact Peter Thomson, telephone (03) 5734 6200.
