Frankston City signs MOU for Sister City relationship with Suva, Fiji

Published on 17 November 2021

Frankston City Council Mayor Kris Bolam has extended a warm welcome to the newest member of the ‘family’ after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a Sister City relationship with Suva, Fiji.

Mayor Bolam said: “The relationship will enable our community to know more about the cultural, social and economic lives of those in Fiji and to gain insight into the most populous Pacific Island country on our doorstep.

“It also provides an opportunity for greater sharing, such as connections between schools that enable young people to learn more about each other and develop friendships that have value for generations to come.

“There’s also the potential for mutually beneficial opportunities for tourism and business development when overseas travel opens up again,” the Mayor said.

Victorian Multicultural Sports Association Inc President Victor Kumar acted as a witness when Mayor Bolam signed the MOU.

The MOU comes after Frankston City Council recently extended a helping hand to Fiji to provide critical humanitarian assistance, particularly with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Kumar, who lives in Frankston City, said: “The Sister City relationship will enhance cultural and educational exchanges and will benefit both countries.

“There’s a significant amount of Fijian expats who live in Frankston City and the Sister City relationship will mean a lot to them,” Mr Kumar added.

Data indicates there are 248 people with Fijian ancestry living in Frankston City, which is 0.2 per cent of the population.

Frankston City has Sister City relationships with Wuxi, China (established in October 2011) and Susono, Japan (established in February 1982).

Mayor Bolam said Frankston’s Sister City relationships provide greater enrichment within our communities, with Wuxi Way located on the Frankston Foreshore offering many residents a delightful outdoor walk, Susono Way and Japanese Friendship Garden located outside Frankston Private Hospital, opposite Monash University’s Peninsula Campus and the Japanese Garden located at Frankston High School offering a welcoming place of connection for students and friends.

The Frankston Susono Friendship Association continues to work on providing a collaborative and positive sister city relationship. For more information, please visit http://www.frankston-susono.com/

For information about Frankston City’s Sister City relationships, please visit https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/Sister-Cities