You’re probably aware that both Swan Hill and its neighbouring town, Robinvale, have sister cities in other parts of the world.
These sister city relationships provide both economic and educational opportunities for the cities and towns that are twinned. It’s also a starting point for a greater understanding of cultural differences and how each city or town can benefit from these.
Swan Hill’s sister city: Yamagata, Japan
The relationship between Swan Hill and Yamagata began only in 1980. However, it’s one of the earliest of these types of arrangements that Australia has with Japan, and took around 18 months of discussion before the arrangement was made official.
Exchanges happen between the two cities every second year (barring pandemics). These include teacher exchanges, farmer exchanges, youth exchanges and educational touring groups.
Yamagata is one of Japan’s major cities and has a population of around 250,000. Situated beside the Mogami River with mountain ranges on either side, the city is surrounded by agricultural bounty. Known as the ‘fruit kingdom’, Yamagata prefecture produces cherries, pears and grapes. The area is also known for rice and silk production. Yamagata’s temperature ranges mimic that of Swan Hill, in that the area has temperature extremes ‒ from -4C in winter with heavy snowfalls to summer temperatures of around 40C. However, the climate is humid compared with Swan Hill’s dry heat.
To celebrate the connection with its sister city, Swan Hill created the Yamagata Japanese garden along Monash Drive. Interesting features in the garden include a traditional Japanese wooden footbridge, a stone boulder bench and lantern, both almond and pine trees, and around 180 stepping stones around the garden.
Swan Hill also has its own Japanese restaurant, the Niko Niko in Campbell Street. Here you’ll be welcomed by Patricia and Min as you enjoy both authentic Japanese and Korean dishes. They offer both takeaway and dining in.
Robinvale and Villers-Bretonneux, northern France
The relationship between Robinvale and Villers-Bretonneux in France goes right back to World War 1. Back in May 1918, the son of Robinvale’s founding family, Lieutenant George Robin Cuttle, was reported missing over Caix, which is near the village of Villers-Bretonneux.
The family conducted a lengthy search and Lt. Cuttle’s plane wreckage was finally found in 1923 in a field in Caix. The Cuttle family renamed their settlement on the Murray River in memory of their son and the town of Robinvale was officially established.
The town of Villers-Bretonneux is well aware of the sacrifices that were made by Australian soldiers as well as British and Canadian military to protect their town from the German army.
Many hotels and streets are named after Australian cities; just outside the town, you’ll find a huge war memorial where the Australian flag flies side by side with the French flag. And the first sign you see as you enter the town proclaims Robinvale, Australia, as its twin town.
Robinvale is proud of its French connection
Although the sister city connection between Robinvale and Villers-Bretonneux was officially announced only in 1985, the relationship between the two towns spans back over 100 years.
In 2018, the people of Robinvale completed the Robinvale Euston Memorial Park to provide a place where the connection between the two towns could be commemorated.
Construction of the park began in 2016 and was finally completed in April 2018 just in time for Anzac Day. In fact, it was all hands on deck from the local community to ensure that the park was finished in time for the Anzac Day celebrations.
The connection between the two towns is further cemented by the naming of their respective town squares. Robinvale’s town square is named Caix while Robinvale Square sits proudly in the centre of Villers-Bretonneux.
© Department of Veterans’ Affairs — Sir John Monash Centre aerial view in Villers-Bretonneux
Can we help you learn more about the local area?
Our knowledge of Swan Hill and the surrounding district is extensive, so if you’re looking for a new place to call home, why not give us a call on 03 5032 2507. We’re here to help.
