PrintTHE COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
WYNDHAM, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
SISTER CITY PROJECT
On August 23, 1996, the cities of Wyndham, Victoria, Australia and Costa Mesa, California formally renewed their dedication to a Sister City Agreement at a reception hosted by the Costa Mesa Tourism and Promotion Council at the Wyndham Gardens Hotel in the City's Arts District. Commissioner Neville Goodwin and Chief Executive Officer Ian Robbins represented the City of Wyndham; while various community leaders and Costa Mesa City Manager Allan Roeder received them.
BACKGROUND
The Sister City Agreement is part of the program of the Sister City Project, which aims to build "goodwill and friendship between the two cities and in the earnest hope for deeper understanding between the nations of Australia and the United States of America." A non-profit, community benefit association, the Sister City Project is comprised of individuals and organizations dedicated to cultural enrichment, business opportunities, and government interaction between the communities of Wyndham and Costa Mesa. The project supports programs that mutually benefit and inform, enhance, and encourage interaction between citizens, businesses, and city leaders from both communities. The project involves a variety of members that make up the dynamic communities of Wyndham and Costa Mesa.
Wyndham, located west of Melbourne in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, is ideally situated near Melbourne's central business, theater, and casino districts where economic and cultural opportunities abound. Wyndham's geographic area is slightly larger than that of Orange County and has a population of nearly 100,000 people. Wyndham is fortunate enough to be home to a number of key tourist attractions, which collectively draw over 750,000 visitors each year. Similar to Costa Mesa, Wyndham was predominantly agricultural in its youth. It is, however, presently undergoing rapid development with new residential subdivisions and high technology, education, light industry, and commercial boroughs. In Victoria, Wyndham is the fastest growing area, with nearly half of all households comprised of couples with young children.
CURRENT STATUS
The City of Costa Mesa and the City of Werribee had long since established their Sister City status. Due to a merger of several local townships, the City of Werribee incorporated into the City of Wyndham. In 1996, the City of Costa Mesa reaffirmed its commitment to the Sister City Project. The Sister City Project offers many opportunities for goodwill and cultural exchanges by linking counterparts in Costa Mesa and Wyndham.
In 1998, teachers, administrators, and community leaders spearheaded a Sister City Exchange Program to allow Costa Mesa educators to "shadow" their counterparts down under. And some Costa Mesa classrooms participate in an e-mail pen pals program with pupils in Wyndham schools!
In January of 2009, the Sister-City exchange will continue as the City of Costa Mesa hosts the tenth delegation of Wyndham teachers and students. The group will be participating in the annual exchange trip to visit Costa Mesa and Southern California. The focus is to learn more about California's educational system, Costa Mesa, and American culture. Members of the group stay with various Costa Mesa hosts.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT NEEDED!
The Costa Mesa-Wyndham, Australia Sister-City Education Exchange Program needs help sending our Youth Ambassadors on an educational and cultural journey to the Land Down Under! The details on the Program can be viewed by clicking: Exchange Program.
It is hoped that a mutually strong and enduring relationship between Wyndham and Costa Mesa continues for years to come. For more information on Wyndham, we encourage you to peruse our Sister City's homepage at: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/home.