The Ceremony

Due to the distance involved and the cost implications, the medium of the Internet was used in a unique and historic way to linkup both communities. Using live conferencing facilities, the link up lasted approx. 90 minutes and culminated in the signing of  an agreement "on air" twinning both communities. The text of the Town Twinning Agreement (adobe .pdf, 138 kbs) is as follows:

"The Town of Lismore, Waterford, Republic of Ireland and the City of Lismore, New South Wales, Australia sincerely desire to promote mutual friendship through the heritage ties that unite us. Our endeavours are to encourage the people of both areas to work in partnership and exchange ideas and information of a cultural, social and commercial nature for the progress and development of our communities. The communities are encouraged to foster exchange programmes in sport, the arts and education. These exchange programmes form the foundations to bond friendships, goodwill and understanding."

Following the formal address by the respective chairmen, each member of the Commissioners made individual contributions and addressed such areas Education, Development, Tourism and the concept of tidy towns.  Mr Julian Walton, Historian U.C.C. gave a report on the rich history of the town.  In conclusion, a ten-minute video of each of the towns was transmitted.
This brought an end to a unique occasion and formed a new chapter in local government history.

In the immediate future, a similar link-up is being planned in terms of our schools and a number of other initiatives are being looked at.