TWO Corowa councillors have dipped into their own pocket to help resurrect a stalled sister-city relationship with Miki City in Japan.

Deputy mayor Paul Miegel and Cr Gail Law recently returned from Japan as chaperones to 10 students from Corowa High School at no cost to ratepayers.

The sister city agreement between Miki and Corowa had been suspended in 2009 before negotiations began last year to re-ignite the relationship.

The global financial crisis forced the agreement to be put on hold, but the success of the trip between September 30 and October 10 has paved the way for an invitation to be extended to a Miki City delegation to visit Corowa next year.

Cr Miegel said the relationship had strong support in Japan.

“From the ground up we’ve had a very successful exchange,” he said.

“We lobbied fairly hard for Miki City to be returned the hospitality we received while we were in Japan.”

Chaperones and students funded their own travel and expenses and host families in Japan provided accommodation.

In 1997 the first sister city agreement was signed between Corowa and Yokawa Town.

It remained in place for eight years and resulted in eight cultural exchanges before Yokawa Town amalgamated with its neighbour Miki City in 2005 and a new deal was signed.

After several months of talks between Miki International Association, Miki Council, Corowa High School, students and parents, an itinerary was developed for the recent visit.

Corowa students had to apply to go on the exchange and 26 applications were received.

Criteria included why students wanted to travel to Miki City, experience studying Japanese language or culture and past involvement in the program or willingness to host in the future.

The 10 students were from years 9, 10 and 11, and teacher Kathryn Doering also went as a chaperone.

The students will address Corowa’s November council meeting.

ALBURY

The 11-year Albury-Nanping relationship hangs by a thread after Albury made its most recent visit to China in 2009. The trip led by former mayor Patricia Gould cost ratepayers more than $23,000.

GREATER HUME

No sister city arrangements in place.

MOIRA

MAYOR Peter Mansfield went to Italy this year on a trip that cost ratepayers at least $5000. The shire has had ties with Varapodio in southern Italy since 2005. Delegations from Varapodio and neighbouring Molochio have visited Moira five times.

WANGARATTA

Wangaratta has a “friendship” relationship with Wuzhong district in Suzhou City China. It mainly focuses on educational transfers with GOTAFE.

WODONGA

Wodonga doesn’t have a sister city relationship, but chief executive Patience Harrington and former mayor Lisa Mahood have recently returned from a social enterprise world forum in South Korea at a cost of $15,000.