29 March 2023

The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships Grant Funding Program has opened for people or groups who have ideas to grow Gunnedah Shire’s Sister City partnerships.

Local organisations can access these funds to support new initiatives that help our partnerships to grow.

Gunnedah Shire has Sister City partnerships with Kolomotu’a, Tonga, and Lane Cove and Northern Beaches in Sydney, as well as an international agreement with the Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China.

Mayor Jamie Chaffey said: “It’s an exciting opportunity for local schools, volunteering cultural groups, and businesses, and I’m sure that Gunnedah will embrace this chance to strengthen our community and celebrate cultural diversity within the shire.

“We have wonderful relationships with our Sister Cities, and there are so many opportunities to build on those links. Whether it be in areas such as arts and culture, sports, education, employment or the economy, I urge people to think about the ways we can grow together.”

This new program aims to bring together interest groups in each city, facilitating an understanding between people and cultures and forging mutual opportunities for cross-cultural growth.

Grants are awarded for amounts up to $5,000, with additional funding available for organisations that make a 25 percent or greater co-contribution.

The Sister Cities and Friendly Relationships working group brings together local schools, volunteer and cultural groups, chamber of commerce, businesses and other interested parties to maximise the benefits from existing agreements with an eye to building new community alliances. The Working Group membership enhances community representation and consultation throughout the grant funding process.

 Applications for grants are now open and will close on Thursday, 27 April 2023. Applicants must complete an application form, available here, that can be emailed to council@infogunnedah.com.au

Photo caption: Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Princess Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho from Gunnedah’s Sister City of Kolomotu’a, Tonga, with young Gunnedah locals.

ENDS

Media Contact: 02 6740 2100.