FIVE high school students and a teacher from Shibetsu, Japan were greeted to a Civic Reception at Goulburn Mulwaree Council Chambers after they arrived in the city yesterday.
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The students, including Mebae Fuminashi, Saemi Akita, Aya Takeishi, Shiori Matsugahira, Yurika Mendori and teacher Hisanori Baba will be visiting Goulburn Mulwaree until August 6.
Shibestu is Goulburn’s sister city in Japan and the students are part of an exchange program between the two cities that has been running since 1996, when Council sent its first delegation over there.
Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle welcomed the students to the city.
“I have met most of you before in Shibetsu recently and I am very glad that you are now here visiting Goulburn Mulwaree,” Mayor Kettle said.
“I hope the time you spend in your sister city here is both enjoyable and interesting.”
The group, including Cr Kettle and Cr Bob Kirk, were then taken of a tour of the city, which included stops at the Goulburn War Memorial, the Goulburn Visitor Information Centre and the Big Merino.
Teacher Hisanori Baba’s visited Goulburn previously in 2012. He said he loved the city and surrounds.
“The people here are so friendly here,” Mr Baba said.
“Goulburn is about the same size as Shibetsu and we are also a rural city, so we have lots of things in common.”
They group have been hosted out to families from Mulwaree High School and over the next few days the students will be visiting various schools in Goulburn, as well as having an excursion to Canberra. They will be formally farewelled next Tuesday at the Council.
