Updated 1 March, 2023

Gunnedah Shire signed a Sister City Agreement with the Yinzhou District of Ningbo in the Zhejiang Province in China in September 2017.

Six delegates from the Yinzhou Government visited Gunnedah Shire to sign official documents and experience a taste of Gunnedah during their stay.

St Mary’s College Year 8 students welcomed Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and the Yinzhou.

“The students were able to officially welcome the delegation in Mandarin and show them around our school,” St Mary’s College Principal Max Quirk said.

“The school visit was a tremendous success and Cr Chaffey spoke to the students about how exciting the initiative is between Gunnedah and Yinzhou.”

During their stay, the delegation were invited to local orange farm “Gunnible” for an official dinner, as well as taking part in flights over Gunnedah and koala spotting before signing the official documents in a ceremony at Wolseley Park.

“Fate will bring us together even if we are thousands of miles away,” Deputy Director, The Standing Committee of Yinzhou District People’s Congress, Lyu Hongqin said.

The delegation was welcomed by Gomeroi Elders conducting a traditional Smoking Ceremony, before the Australian and Chinese National Anthems were played by the Gunnedah Conservatorium of Music.

A Chinese Elm tree was planted at Wolseley Park to mark the beginning of the relationship and will grow as the relationship grows.