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Through the International Relations Program our communities have become richer, more culturally diverse and understanding. These programs are only possible if members of the community become involved and participate. This can be done in a number of ways:
Become a homestay family and host a student during their stay. Share our culture, while learning about theirs. This can be done through your school if they have an international program or through the University of Southern Queensland by contacting the Homestay Coordinator, Open Access College on 4631 1794.
Attend cultural events being held in the community such as the Languages and Cultures Festival, Harmony Day and other special events being held. Event details can be found in the event register.
Become involved in one of the many cultural groups throughout the community such as the Toowoomba Japanese Group, the Korea - Australia Toowoomba Society or the Toowoomba International Multicultural Society.
There are many groups (sporting, choral, scouts, friendship/social etc) that visit our region who wish to interact with a similar group during their visit. Community groups have the opportunity to host sister city groups who are visiting the region. There is also the opportunity for these groups to undertake a reciprocal visit.
For more information - Contact the Toowoomba Regional Council's International Secretariat via our Customer Service Centres.
A large number of international students visit Toowoomba on study tours every year to learn more about our culture and to improve their English language skills, providing a considerable boost to our economy. Students are placed with local homestay families and become immersed in our culture and language. Student groups from our Sister Cities and other groups with long term connections are special guests at a Mayoral reception at City Hall.
From time to time, international sporting exchanges are arranged between schools to enable students to practice and compete overseas. This provides sporting teams with the opportunity to travel overseas and participate in friendly competitions, sightseeing activities, stay with a local family in a homestay arrangement or host international guests. This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to gain an understanding of another culture.
Cultural exchange tours involve community or interest groups such as scouts and guides, performance groups including music and dance and fine arts like Japanese flower arranging (Ikebana). Past groups have organised performances and displays for the community to enjoy, tours of schools in the region and meetings with community groups.
To celebrate special milestones in our Sister City relationships, Council invites members of the community to participate in Friendship Tours to our Sister Cities. Friendship tours provide a unique cultural experience and allow exceptional interaction with local residents. Some previous experiences have included:
The last tour involved visiting Korea (2 nights in Seoul and 2 nights in Paju) and then onto Japan for 9 nights, visiting Tokyo, Ena City, Takatsuki, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima and back to Takatsuki. Relationships with cities visited on the tour include:
Paju study tour, Paju, South Korea | January 2017 (3 weeks)
Each year since 2003 Paju has brought 16 students and one teacher to Toowoomba to participate in an intensive English and culture program coordinated through USQ's Global Learning Programs, where they stay with local families. It is a highly competitive program with over 70 applications being received. The Mayor and Councillors welcomed the group at a reception in City Hall on 23 January 2017.
Haruhigaoka High School, Kasugai, Japan | January - March 2017 (7 weeks)
45 students undertaking an international study program spent seven weeks in Australia experiencing Australian culture whilst staying with local families. Coordinated and hosted by USQ, the Global Learning Program has been running since 1999. A Mayoral reception was held on 2 February 2017.
Yasuda Women’s University, Hiroshima, Japan | February – March 2017 (5 weeks)
Students from Yasuda Women’s University have been visiting Toowoomba since 2002 as part of their International Business and Marketing course. This year 17 students visited Toowoomba to participate in an English Study Tour through USQ’s Global Learning Program. A Mayoral reception for the cohort was held on 10 February 2017.
Murasakino Senior High School, Kyoto, Japan | April 2017 (3 weeks)
A visit to the school by a Council delegation in 2013 helped to secure an annual arrangement with Murasakino Senior High School. The 2017 group, comprising 82 students and five teachers, was the fourth group to visit Toowoomba. Coordinated through the USQ Global Learning Program, the students were homestayed in Toowoomba and visited local attractions contributing approximately $150,000 to our economy. A Mayoral reception was held for the group on the 9 March 2017.
Council delegation visit to Japan | 29 March – 6 April 2017
The Mayor led a Council delegation to Japan to visit our sister city, Takatsuki and also included visits to Osaka, Kyoto, Kasugai and Ena City. In addition to meeting civic responsibilities with Takatsuki and Ena City, the visit strengthened existing economic ties, particularly in the lucrative international education market.
Smart City Business Mission to Singapore | 2-5 July 2017
Toowoomba Regional Council participated in a business mission to Singapore organised by Council of Mayors South East Queensland. The object of the mission was to explore Smart City initiatives being undertaken in Singapore and consider their relevance to local government. The three day itinerary involved meeting 59 representatives from 33 separate organisations during 30 meetings and briefings.
Mishima Senior High School, Takatsuki, Japan | 23 July – 3 August 2017
Visiting Toowoomba for the sixth time, the Mishima Senior High School study tour comprised 30 students and two teachers. Through participation in the USQ Global Learning Program, students improve their English and learn about Australian culture by living with homestay families. Mishima has a close relationship with Toowoomba Grammar School and students spend time at the school with their ‘buddy’ participating in classes and activities. A Mayoral reception for the group was held on 31 July 2017.
Imagine One World Kimono Project, Toowoomba | 6 – 12 August 2017
The concept behind the Imagine Oneworld Kimono Project in Japan is to promote a united world through the beauty and art of the traditional Japanese kimono. Imagine Oneworld is creating a collection of 196 kimonos representing each country competing in the 2020 Olympics. The kimonos will be presented at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to welcome athletes from all over the world. Mr Yasunobu Yokomori,from Takatsuki was selected to create a kimono to represent Australia. The 25 year sister city relationship between Toowoomba Region and Takatsuki City has been symbolized in the design. Toowoomba Region was fortunate to have a showing of the kimono for a week in August 2017.
Takatsuki study tour, Takatsuki, Japan | 7 – 19 August 2017
Students from across Takatsuki have been participating in the Takatsuki Study Tour program since 1993. This year 16 students stayed with host families, experiencing family life in Australia and studied English and culture with the USQ Global Learning Program. The Mayor and Councillors welcomed the group at a reception in City Hall on 10 August 2017.
Ena City study tour, Ena City, Japan | July 2017
The Oakey community welcomed 23 students participating in an annual study tour program from Ena City. For the first time, the Mayor welcomed the group to City Hall for a reception. During their visit to Oakey the students participated in the Oakey High School agricultural program, explored an organic farm and visited the University of Queensland, Gatton Campus. Assisted by teachers and students, Ena City prepared a Japanese Friendship Garden at Oakey State High School for all to enjoy as a symbol of the friendship between the two communities.
Council delegation visit to China and Korea | September 2017
In September the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer visited Shaoxing City, China to endorse Council’s commitment to the the recently established relationship with Yuecheng District, Shaoxing. Potential business opportunities which could bring economic benefits to both cities were explored. The Mayor and Chief Executive Officer included a visit to our Sister City in Paju, Korea before continuing to Daejeon to attend the Asia Pacific Cities Summit. Attending the summit provided the opportunity to promote the region to a broad range of Asian nations.
Staff exchange program with Paju | May and September 2017
Toowoomba hosted the first Paju officer in a new staff exchange program in May 2017. The officer visited for 5 days to learn about the operations of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and general parks, gardens and street tree operations. In September, Toowoomba’s officer visited Paju to investigate the water and waste management systems being operated in Paju. This exchange provides an opportunity to share best practices, knowledge and skills between the two cities.
Takatsuki Councillor delegation visit to Toowoomba | October 2017
A delegation consisting of the Chairperson and seven Councillors visited Toowoomba reaffirming their commitment to the relationship and gathering information about selected Council facilities. The delegation visited Picnic Point, Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba library, the Japanese Gardens and also inspected the Toowoomba Range Crossing construction and U3A Toowoomba Inc.
Yuecheng District delegation visit to Toowoomba | November 2017
A delegation led by the Chairperson of Yuecheng District and accompanied by three delegates, visited the Toowoomba region for the first time in November 2017. The visit was evidence of their commitment to further develop a relationship fostering trade opportunities between the two regions.
Paju Study Tour, Paju, South Korea | January 2016 (2 weeks)
16 students and one teacher visited Toowoomba to participate in an intensive English and culture program coordinated through the USQ English Language and Culture Program, where they were hosted by local families. Highly competitive program with over 60 applications being received. A Mayoral reception for the cohort was held on 21 January 2016.
Yasuda Women’s University, Hiroshima, Japan | February – March 2016 (8 weeks)
This year 20 students who were undertaking an International Business and Marketing course in Hiroshima visited Toowoomba to participate in an English Study Tour through USQ’s English Language and Culture Program. This program has been running since 2002. A Mayoral Reception for the cohort was held on 11 February 2016.
Haruhigaoka High School, Kasugai, Japan | January – March 2016 (7 weeks)
32 students alongside two teachers who undertook an international course were required to spend seven weeks in Australia to learn and experience Australian culture whilst homestaying with local families. This program coordinated and hosted by USQ’s English Language and Culture Programs has been running since 1999. A Mayoral reception was held on 2 February 2016.
Murasakino Senior High School, Kyoto, Japan | March 2016 (3 weeks)
Following a Council delegation visit to the school in 2013, which helped to secure an annual cohort agreement, the 2016 group, comprising 84 students and five teachers was the third visit to Toowoomba. Coordinated through the USQ English Language and Culture Programs this; the students homestayed in Toowoomba and visited local attractions contributing approximately $150,000 to our economy. A Mayoral reception was held for the group on the 11 March 2016.
Paju study tour, Paju, South Korea | 24 July – 7 August 2016
Due to the popularity of this study tour program, the Paju Council arranged a second study tour for the year. Over 70 students applied for the eleven available positions. The students have a high level of English and are very motivated to further their English capabilities. A mayoral reception was held on 25 July 2016.
Mishima Senior High School, Takatsuki, Japan | 25 July – 5 August 2016
Visiting Toowoomba for the fifth time, the Mishima Senior High School study tour comprised of 30 students and two teachers. Through participation in the USQ English Language and Culture Program, students improve their English and learn about Australian culture by living with homestay families. Mishima has a close relationship with Toowoomba Grammar and students spend time at the school with their ‘buddy’ participating in classes and activities. A mayoral reception for the group was held on 28 July 2016.
Takatsuki study tour, Takatsuki, Japa | 25 July – 5 August 2016
Students from across Takatsuki have been participating in the Takatsuki Study Tour program since 1993 with over 370 students visiting Toowoomba. This year 16 students homestayed with families, experiencing family life in Australia; and studied English and culture with the USQ English Language and Culture Program. The group joined the Mishima Senior High School for a mayoral reception on 28 July 2016.
Ena City study tour, Ena City, Japan | July 2016
Oakey community welcomed 23 students participating in an annual study tour program from Ena City. For the first time, three students from the Ena Agricultural Senior High School participated in the tour. This school specialises in horticultural science, food science, flower design, and environmental science. During their visit to Oakey the students participated in the Oakey High School agricultural program, visited an organic farm and the University of Queensland Gatton Campus. The Mayor welcomed the group at Oakey State High School on 27 July 2016.
Biennial soccer exchange; Toowoomba team visit Takatsuki | 14 - 29 September 2016
Since 2002, Football Toowoomba Inc and the Takatsuki Soccer Federation have been undertaking an under 12 soccer exchange. This exchange provides young players with the opportunity to not only play overseas but also to learn about another culture through homestay. While Takatsuki had the home town advantage, the Toowoomba players were great ambassadors for our region and did us proud. Toowoomba hosts Takatsuki in 2018.
U3A President visit to Takatsuki | 8 - 9 October 2016
While in Osaka for the U3A International Conference 2016, Toowoomba U3A President Mrs Rhonda Weston and her husband David, visited Takatsuki to share with their Council members the benefits of U3A (University of 3rd Age). With an aging population, Takatsuki Councillors welcomed the opportunity to learn about how the organisation functioned and what could be offered to their citizens. Mrs Weston was also the Chairperson and Steering Group Convenor of the Asia Pacific Alliance and Conference Chair of the U3A International Conference 2016.
Toowoomba’s visit to Shaoxing, China | 28 - 30 October 2016
Following the AccessChina conference in Shanghai, Mayor Antonio and Chief Executive Officer Mr Brian Pidgeon visited Shaoxing in the Zhejiang Province to explore opportunities for business exchange. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Yuechang District was signed. An invitation will be extended to Yuecheng to visit in early 2017.
Toowoomba Takatsuki 25th anniversary celebrations, Toowoomba | 11 - 13 November 2016
Toowoomba welcomed Deputy Mayor Inui and 29 delegates, including the Takatsuki Taiko Drummers for the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the Toowoomba Takatsuki sister city relationship. During the visit, delegates visited Picnic Point, St Ursula’s College and were hosted to a mayoral reception at city hall, followed by an Australian themed anniversary dinner at Cobb & Co Museum. Over 500 school students enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm of the Takatsuki Taiko Drummers at a performance at Humeridge Church and community members were able to enjoy a sample of Japanese culture at the Nihon Matsuri (Japanese Festival) held on the 12 November. The celebrations ended with a tree planting ceremony at the Japanese Gardens to mark the occasion.
Paju Study Tour, Paju, South Korea | January 2015 (2 weeks)
16 students and one teacher visited Toowoomba to participate in an intensive English and culture program coordinated through USQ English Language and Culture Programs, where they homestayed with local families. The program was highly competitive with over 60 applications being received. A Mayoral reception for the cohort was held on 22 January 2015.
Yasuda Women’s University and Yasuda Women’s College, Hiroshima, Japan | February – March 2015 (8 weeks)
This year 43 students undertaking an International Business and Marketing course in Hiroshima visited Toowoomba to participate in an English study tour through USQ’s English Language and Culture Programs. This program has been running since 2002. A Mayoral reception for the cohort was held on 9 February 2015. The Yasuda Foundation and students provided a generous donation of $10,000 for the Toowoomba Flood appeal in 2011.
Haruhigaoka High School, Kasugai, Japan | January –March 2015 (7 weeks)
38 students alongside two teachers who undertook an international course spent seven weeks in Australia to learn about and experience Australian culture whilst homestaying with local families. This program coordinated and hosted by Australia Japan Study Programs has been running since 1999. A Mayoral reception was held on 19 February 2015.
Murasakino Senior High School, Kyoto, Japan | March 2015 (3 weeks)
Following a Council delegation visit to the school in 2013, which helped to secure an annual cohort agreement, the 2015 group, comprising 84 students and five teachers visited Toowoomba for the second time. Coordinated through the USQ English Language and Culture Programs, the students homestayed in Toowoomba and visited local attractions contributing approximately $150,000 to our economy. A Mayoral reception was held for the group on the 13 March 2015
Minowa Hiroyuki Trio Delegation, Takatsuki, Japan | 10-13 June 2015
Renowned international jazz trio from the Takatsuki’s Jazz Street Festival - one of the greatest free music festivals in Japan; visited Toowoomba in June last year during which they held a workshop with University of Southern Queensland’s music students and Glennie School music students, as well as a community concert at the USQ Artsworx Theatre.
Band members Mr Hiroyuki Minowa - leader and double bassist; Mr Mitusaki Kishi - pianist and Mr Makoto Rikitake - drummer; performed at the Brisbane International Jazz Festival before travelling to Toowoomba.
The trio’s coordinator Mr Minowa is an internationally renowned double bassist and has carved a significant jazz career as bandleader, recording artist and educator. He has played alongside multi award winning pianist and composer Mitzuaki Kishi plus inspiring young drummer Makoto Rikitake.
Mishima Senior High School, Takatsuki, Japan | 19 – 30 July 2015
The 2015 Mishima group comprised 33 students and 3 teachers. This was their 4th visit to Toowoomba. Coordinated through the USQ English Language and Culture Programs, students homestayed in Toowoomba and visited local attractions. This group has brought 109 students to Toowoomba since their first visit. Mishima has a close relationship with Toowoomba Grammar and spends time at the school during the visit participating in classes and activities with a ‘buddy’ which provided cross-cultural sharing experiences for all involved. A Mayoral reception for the group was held on the 27 July 2015.
Ena City Study Tour, Ena City, Japan | July 2015
Ena City and Oakey have enjoyed a relationship since 1994. Over this time over 350 students and 80 accompanying adults have visited Oakey. The 2015 group comprised 20 students and 4 officials. Coordinated and hosted by The Australia Institute of International Understanding (AIIU), the group homestayed in Oakey.
Oakey was originally selected as Ena was seeking a realistic Australian cultural experience in a rural community. A highlight for the group is the vibrancy of the stars in the clear skies of Oakey.
The Mayor visited Oakey State High School on 31 July 2015.
Takatsuki Study Tour, Takatsuki, Japan | 27 July – 8 August 2015
17 junior and senior high students from different schools across Takatsuki and one Takatsuki International Association officer homestayed in Toowoomba. This was the 21st group to visit with over 360 students participating over the 20 year period of the program. A Mayoral reception was held on the 6th of August.
The contribution that long-term (one term or more) fee-paying international students provide to not only our schools but to our community is significant and a Mayoral Reception was held on the 31 August to acknowledge this the 34 international students (including Japanese, Chinese and Korean students), who lived in the Toowoomba Region for an extended period of time (one school term up to three years).
Paju Deputy Mayor Visit, Paju City, South Korea | 18-20 September 2015
Paju Deputy Mayor Mr Nang Hyun Shin and four officers from the culture and tourism division, economy and welfare bureau, international exchanges team and urban parks team came to Toowoomba for a knowledge sharing opportunity in relation to establishing a garden competition and nursery in Paju in Korea. A Mayoral reception was held for the group, they visited the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba Region Council nursery; and they attended Carnival of Flowers events.
Whanganui Take It Easy Tours, Whanganui, New Zealand | 17– 22 September 2015
The tour group comprised of eight members, a tour coordinator and Whanganui councillor. The group visited Cobb & Co, Japanese Gardens, Empire Theatre, Carnival of Flowers events and gardens, Highfields Pioneer Village, Harrow Homestead, Darling Downs Zoo, Rudds Pub and enjoyed a Spring Bluff Railway excursion.
Whanganui Mayor, Whanganui, New Zealand | 19-21 September 2015
Mayor Annette Main and her father visited the Toowoomba Region for a knowledge-sharing opportunity for the flood study program and inspection of the Toowoomba Region criterium track and Carnival of Flowers. They participated in the event tour group and visited Laurel Bank Gardens, Queens Park Gardens and Picnic Point as well as the Flower, Food and Wine Festival.
Toowoomba Region International Relations Strategy
Our sister cities
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