Sister City Relationship

2006 was the 10th anniversary of the sister city relationship. Exchanges between Busselton Senior High School and 3 Junior High Schools in Sugito actually began in 1994, 2 years earlier than the formal relationship, when Rotary Club members from the respective towns arranged the student exchanges.

Two years later this arrangement was formalised with a sister city relationship.

According to the Sister City Agreement signed in Sugito in November 1996 and Busselton in February 1997

"the people of the Shire of Busselton, Western Australia and the Sugito Town, Saitama Prefecture, Japan, agree to join as sister cities to promote goodwill and everlasting friendship. Both municipalities will join in exchange programs to foster understanding between the two towns and peoples of Australia and Japan, to contribute to the building of a peaceful world. "

The Shire president of Busselton and the Mayor of Sugito, as representatives of their people, signed this sister city agreement

A year after formalising the sister city relationship, five gardeners came from Sugito to build a Japanese garden next to the Busselton Library. Much of the materials and equipment was donated by local people and some special features, such as stone lanterns were sent from Sugito. SOBSCA is currently planning further improvements, such as an interpretive board and renewing the Tori gate.