(This article was prepared as a part of our eNewsletter dated 31 March 2020. Fill in the form at the bottom of our main webpage to subscribe for future eNewsletter)
Located only two hours south of Perth’s CBD, Bunbury is one of Western Australia’s hidden gems. Traditionally established as a port city, the city has become the economic hub for the South West. Visitors and passers-by may have noticed the sign as they enter ‘Welcome to Bunbury, Sister City to Setagaya – Japan, Friendship City to Jiaxing – China, Friendship City to Nha Trang – Vietnam’. So what does this mean, and why does a regional city have three relationships in Asia?
Bunbury’s first Sister City relationship started in 1992 with Japan. This relationship started with primary student exchange and has grown to include photographic, government, marathon and other cultural and trade-related exchanges. China came next with a relationship that started between the Ports of Bunbury and Jiaxing in 2000. This relationship has been primarily focused on government and trade exchanges but has more recently expanded to art and culture exchanges.
The most recent relationship between Nha Trang in Vietnam in Bunbury started in 2016 and has already resulted in a delegation of the Bunbury City Band performing in Nha Trang at community concerts.
The aim of Bunbury Sister and Friendship Cities is to make the lives of our community better and enrich the lives of our relationship partners. For this reason, we are housed in the Economic Development Department of the City.
Through the City of Bunbury’s Economic Development Action Plan, we aim to deliver short term objectives to stimulate our economy and add to the vibrancy of our great City. Part of our plan includes working with our Sister and Friendship cities for mutual benefit in the following areas:
• Investment Attraction: Our dedicated Bunbury-Jiaxing Business Office advises local businesses on trade with China as well as Chinese businesses wishing to do business in the South West. Meetings with the Mayor can be arranged through our office as well as facilitating delegations and meetings with business and government organizations. Bunbury is open for business.
• Education: Bunbury is home to Edith Cowan University, South Regional TAFE and Kingston International College as well as a number of private secondary schools. These educational facilities already host a number of international students and our goal is to promote Bunbury as a place of learning for international students, particularly from China, Japan and Vietnam. International Students provide cultural, social and economic vibrancy to communities in which they study. Bunbury is a place to learn.
• Tourism: We aspire to host more Asian tourists in the South West and are working collaboratively with our Sister and Friendship city to establish tailored tours and visits. Bunbury will welcome you.
Bunbury is only a two hour drive from Perth and is serviced by twice-daily train service and buses. Our world-class tourism destination, the Dolphin Discovery Centre, reopened last year after a multi-million-dollar re-build to offer world-class marine tourism and education facilities. Proximate to Bunbury is the growing wine region of Ferguson Valley with lovely rolling hills, five-star restaurants, and options for young, old and in between. The vibrant Bunbury CBD offers a range of dining and entertainment options only metres from the ocean, the bay and the inlet. Come visit us down south – Bunbury is open for business, Bunbury is a place to learn, and Bunbury will welcome you.
Find out more about Bunbury on BunBeo – Visit Bunbury Geographe
Carol McDowall
Senior International Engagement Officer
08 9792 7075
0437 665 720
WeChat: carolannecmdowall
