Leavenworth, Kansas, USA
People to People Programme for the Promotion of International Friendship for Peace
The affiliation of Wagga Wagga with Leavenworth, Kansas, USA, as Sister Cities, was established in 1962. A Conference was held at the White House, Washington, D.C., in 1956 when President Eisenhower emphasised the need for a programme to bring the people of the world closer together in the interests of peace.
From this conference came the People to People Programme and the Sister City Affiliation movement. Visitations of official representatives have been exchanged between the two cities and inter-city visits by private citizens are becoming increasingly popular.
The affiliation of Wagga Wagga with Leavenworth came about as far as Wagga Wagga is concerned, purely by accident. In May 1961, Lt Col W H Wansley, Commanding Officer of Kapooka Military Area (located in close proximity to the City of Wagga Wagga) called upon the Mayor prior to relinquishing his command on the eve of his departure from Australia en route to the United States of America, to undergo a course of military training at Fort Leavenworth - the United States Army Command and General Staff College. The Colonel consented to take with him a letter of introduction and greetings from the Mayor of Wagga Wagga to the Mayor of Leavenworth. On 19th May 1962, the Mayor of Leavenworth, the Hon J F Mitchell, wrote acknowledging this letter of greeting, and issued an invitation for the City of Wagga Wagga to join with the City of Leavenworth as Sister Cities under the People to People Programme. The invitation was wholeheartedly accepted by the Wagga Wagga City Council.
Leavenworth is a community of approximately 35,000 people located in the rolling hills of northeastern Kansas on the Missouri River. Leavenworth is on the outskirts of the Kansas City metropolitan area and is home to the Army's Fort Leavenworth, Saint Mary College, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and the Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary. Leavenworth has a small town, historic atmosphere with access to the amenities of a larger city. In addition to the large federal presence and large private employers such as Hallmark Cards, the Leavenworth community is home to many smaller, family-owned businesses. Downtown Leavenworth still contains many of the buildings that were present in the early 1900's and vintage homes are scattered throughout the community.
Leavenworth became the first city in Kansas when it was founded in 1854. It served as the springboard for the settlement of the rest of the state and the support base for the opening of the West. Built largely to support Fort Leavenworth (founded in 1827) and the settlers heading west, it was home to freight companies, meat packers, provisioners, stove makers and furniture manufacturers. As the city grew, factories and businesses flourished and stately homes were built to house the families whose wealth grew as the city grew. Leavenworth was the industrial centre of Kansas and of the west.
Attractions
Fort Leavenworth - was established in 1827 and is located just north of Leavenworth. It is the oldest Fort west of the Mississippi River in continuous use. The "Big House" - The Federal Penitentiary has been the home of many famous prisoners. Their most famous prisoner was Robert Stroud, known in the movies as the "Bird Man of Alcatraz". It's interesting to note that he did all of his bird work here, serving 28 years in Leavenworth, before being transferred to Alcatraz. Nazi prisoners were also kept here for a time. "Rocky" Graziano got his start in boxing while incarcerated here - www.lvks.org
Nördlingen, Bavaria, Germany
By the good grace of the German Consul in Sydney (who was approached by the then Local State Member) the City of Nordlingen was suggested as the City which Miss Wagga Wagga for the particular year might visit. In 1967, the Oberburgermeister (Dr Hermann Kessler) afforded his personal assistance and hosted Miss Wagga Wagga in his own home. She was given a wonderful reception in the ancient wall city and returned with a pressing invitation for the two cities of Wagga Wagga and Nordlingen to join as sister cities.
Subsequently, suggestions for the joining together of the two cities was suggested and ultimately the German Consul recommended such action to this Council and so the official resolutions were exchanged between the two local government Councils and the sister city link was officially established.
Nordlingen is one of the classic medieval cities of Germany with a history dating back more than 1,000 years and which for 750 years has been a free town. Nordlingen has a population over 30,000.
www.noerdlingen.de
Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
The Sister City relationship with the City of Kunming in Yunnan Province, China, was established in 1988, and visits on an official basis and by private citizens have already been exchanged. Kunming has hosted several exchange events and festivals drawing on her Sister City relationship with Wagga Wagga.
Mayor, Alderman M H Gissing supplied a letter of greetings to the Mayor of Kunming for Mr Harold Fraser who led a party of horticulturists in February 1984. Mr Fraser, who is a member of the International Camellia Society, wrote to Council suggesting that Wagga Wagga should establish a link with China.
At the Council meeting held 23 June 1986 it was resolved that the Mayor and the Town Clerk be authorised to commence action to establish a Sister City Relationship with Kunming City. The Mayor then wrote to the Mayor of Kunming requested that they consider a Sister City relationship. The Mayor of Kunming responded by inviting the Mayor of Wagga Wagga to visit Kunming
Kunming, which is situated in central Yunnan and north of the Dianchi Basin, is skirted on three sides by mountains, with one side opening onto the Dianchi Lake. The city is nicknamed "City of Spring" due to the fact that it is covered all the year round with the rich verdure of trees and plants. Endowed with a pleasant climate, the city's 15,000 square kilometres of land is adorned with more than 400 kinds of flowers.
Kunming is world-famous for its abundance of camellias, orchids, azaleas and Primula malacoides , which can be found in the Kunming Botanical Garden, where 4,000 varieties of tropical and subtropical plants grow profusely. Kunming is also a renowned historical and cultural city in southwest China. In ancient times it was an important gateway to the celebrated Silk Road which conducted to Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar and India. The city's highland scenery is alluring; its karts landform is bewitching. Its people are known for their varied and exotic habits and customs, and its land is pockmarked with historical artefacts, places of cultural interest, and gardens landscaped with a picturesque taste. Among the major scenic spots of Kunming are the Dianchi Lake, the Cuihu Lake, the Village of Ethnic Culture, the Jindian (Golden Temple) Park, the Western Mountain Forest Reserve, the Stone Forest, the Jiuxiang Scenic Belt, the Yuantong Mountain, the Grand View Pavilion, and the Qiongzhu Temple.
Yunnan is populated by 25 minority nationalities, which makes up almost fifty percent of the total number of 55 in the whole country. With colorful costumes and fascinating dances and songs, the 25 ethnic minority groups inhabiting in Yunnan carry on their own ways of living, their own cultures. And the traditional ceremonies and festivals are indivisible parts of their cultures. In observing and participating in the festivals and traditional ceremonies of the minority nationalities, tourists can understand many folkways and customs. You can understand religious beliefs, fairy tales and legends, dances and songs, recreation and amusement, and cultural psychology. Their festivals and ceremonies also reflect their different life styles, productive habits, ideological concept and social structures constituted under different periods of history, different areas and different cultural background.
Horticultural Expo
The International Horticultural Expo was held in Kunming, China concluding a six month show on 30 October 1999. The City of Wagga Wagga exhibited at the Expo due to its special Sister City relationship with Kunming.
Fifty-one countries and international organisations held National Days, with Wagga Wagga holding its day on June 8 1999. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor attended. Two million plants (2,551 varieties), were used throughout the Expo gardens and displays, of which 112 were rare or endangered species.
During the Expo over 1000 art troupes from China and other countries provided stage and street performances. More than 60 international conferences and academic sessions were held.
From January 1 to August 31 1999 Yunnan Province, China received 26.75 million domestic tourists and 0.677 million overseas tourists, an increase of 37.2% and 52.1% respectively over the corresponding period from 1998.
Due to the success of the Expo the Chinese Government has decided to extend the Expo for a further six months. All indoor and outdoor exhibits will be kept intact with the Chinese Government meeting all costs.
Wagga Wagga's participation in this expo has been very successful, with correspondence having been received from a number of Australians attending this Expo. One recent item of correspondence addressed to the people of Wagga Wagga was sent from a group of 26 Australians who attended. This says, in part:
“What a pity the Australian Government did not think this a worthy investment, and we do thank you for your involvement, and assure you that many, many peoples from all around the world visited your exhibit. China is very advanced horticulturally, but Australia does have a lot to offer. Your exhibit stood out in excellence very well compared to most other countries such as France, Canada, USA, etc., in fact we were most impressed with your effort.”
