Sister city snub is a mistake
THE recent decision made by the Swan Hill Rural City councillors to decline an invitation for the Mayor to attend the 40th Anniversary of the sister city relationship between Robinvale and Villers Bretonneux is deeply disappointing.
This decision has not only disheartened me personally but has also left the Robinvale community, especially the dedicated Villers Bretonneux Association, feeling let down. What makes this decision particularly disheartening is the fact that the invitation and the subsequent trip were to incur no cost to the council and ratepayers.
The Villers Bretonneux Association, a volunteer organisation, has consistently demonstrated remarkable dedication in fostering an incredibly close and connected relationship with our sister city since its inception. Their efforts contribute significantly to the cultural exchange and mutual understanding between our communities.
The decision to accept the invitation from Swan Hill’s sister city, Yamagata, while rejecting the invitation from Villers Bretonneux, seems contradictory to the commitment the council has made in servicing Robinvale as a major centre rather than a small service town. This decision threatens to undermine some of the commendable work the council has accomplished over the past four years.
In a significant year, when we celebrate not only the 40th anniversary of our sister city relationship but also Robinvale’s centenary year, choosing to favour one sister city over another feels akin to choosing a favourite child. I believe such a decision sends the wrong message and risks eroding the strong bonds that have been cultivated over decades.
I strongly urge the councillors to reconsider this decision and avoid showing favouritism towards one sister city over another. I hope the councillors can honour the sentiment this brings, and I trust that they will reconsider their decision in the best interest of our community.
I hope to see a positive resolution for the sake of our sister city relationships and the Robinvale community.
Jade Benham
Member for Mildura
