Outline of Devonport
Devonport is a beautiful port town located on the central north coast of
Tasmania, Australia. Its population is approximately 25 000, and it covers
an area of 116 square kilometres (approximately 2/3 the area of Minamata
city).
Settlement began in the Mersey River area around 1830, and from 1851, there
were four towns growing from the lumber and shipbuilding industries. In
1890, these four towns combined to become Devonport Town. In 1959, a passenger
ferry service to mainland Australia was commissioned, and Devonport became
the ocean gateway to Tasmania. Presently, including a luxury ferry service
to Melbourne, and Devonport airport, there are various facilities that
welcome many visitors to Devonport.
Devonport became a city in 1981. Its main industries are fibres, lumber
processing, food processing and mineral refining, as well as substantial
fruit and vegetable production. Devonport also acts as Tasmania's collection
and delivery centre, and is very important to transport on the island.
Devonport is a town blessed with a natural environment and a calm, beautiful
image. It has a very comfortable climate, with the average daily temperature
in summer being 24゜C, and in winter 13゜C. The area around Devonport has a
deeply indented coastline and natural forests, as well as a national park
registered as a World Heritage site.
Reasons for Minamata and Devonport's Sister City Agreement
The visit to Devonport in 1992 by Minamata City Council members began the
process. Following that, the Mayors, Council members and citizens of both
cities visit each other, and on 27 Feb. 1996 the Sister City Agreement
was signed.
The reasons for this Agreement are as follows:
The two cities enjoy similar populations and geographical features, and
both cities are considerate of the environment. There is almost no time
difference between the cities, and they have similar climates. Being in
an English speaking and peaceful country, it is easy to promote cultural
exchange with Devonport.
Exchange Activities to date
| 1992 | Nov. | 5 members of Minamata City Council visit Devonport. |
| 1993 | July | Devonport's Mayor and his wife visit Minamata. |
| Oct. | 4 Minamata citizens visit Devonport. | |
| 1994 | Mar. | The Minamata Tasmania Association is started. A group of 6 people, including Tasmania's Minister for the Environment, visits Minamata. |
| Sep.-Oct. | The first Minamata Tasmania friendship visit takes place: 21 people visit Tasmania for one week. | |
| 1995 | Feb-Mar. | The second Minamata Tasmania friendship visit takes place: 25 people visit Tasmania for one week. The mayors of both cities meet and agree on a Sister City relationship. |
| May | Minamata International Friendship Association is established. Minamata Board of Education makes a preparatory visit to Devonport before planned Junior High School student visit. Exhibition of Minamata citizens' artwork is held in Devonport (Calligraphy, Photography etc). Tasmania Exhibition (Introduction of Devonport and Tasmania) is held in Minamata. |
|
| May-June | 5 people accompany Devonport's Mayor on an official visit to Minamata to confirm the Sister City agreement on 1 June. | |
| July-Aug. | 11 Junior High School students and 2 teachers visit Devonport. |
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| 1996 | Feb. | The third Minamata-Tasmania Friendship visit takes place:27people visit Tasmania On Feb 27,a Sister City Agreement signed in Devonport Events held to introduce Minamata(bamboo crafts,plessed flower art workshop,panel displays). |
| Apr. | An official visit is made from Devonport city (21 people). On 2 Apr., the second Sister City Agreement signing ceremony takes place at Minamata City Council chambers. | |
| July | Minamata welcomes its first Coordinator for International Relations (CIR), from Melbourne, Australia. | |
| July-Aug. | 13 Junior High School students and 1 teacher visit Devonport. | |
| 1997 | Feb. | Cultural Delegation of 44 citizens of Minamata visit Devonport. |
| July | The second CIR for Minamata is welcomed, coming from Devonport. | |
| July-Aug. | 13 Junior High School students and 2 teachers visit Devonport. | |
| Nov. | President of the Devonport Sister City Association, Bill Wilson, visits Minamata. | |
| 1998 | Feb. | Sporting Delegation of 29 citizens of Minamata visit Devonport. |
| Apr. | Cultural Delegation of 22 citizens of Devonport visits Minamata and presents a Cultural Introduction to Devonport (Handcraft & Painting Demonstrations and Exhibition). | |
| July-Aug. | 15 Junior and Senior High School students and 2 teachers visit Devonport. | |
| Nov. | Devonport is awarded a prize for 'Best Cultural Exchange', for their Apr. visit to Minamata, by the Australian Sister Cities Association. | |
| 1999 | Jan. | 2 High School students from Devonport visit Minamata High School. |
| May-June | Sister City art exhibition is held in Minamata for 2 weeks. Works by the Minamata Art Association and Devonport artist Owen Gower Reid are displayed. | |
| July-Aug. | 15 Junior and Senior High School students and 2 teachers visit Devonport. | |
| Sep. | A 47-member Youth Choir from Devonport visits Minamata for one week, accompanied by 15 guardians. They perform concerts and school visits, and stay with families in Minamata. | |
| Nov. | Minamata hosts a Devonport City Council worker as a 'Local Government Exchange Initiative' following the Local Government International Exchange Seminar. | |
| 2000 | Aug. | 15 Junior and Senior High School students and 2 teachers visit Devonport. |
| Nov. | Devonport is again awarded the prize for 'Best Cultural Exchange', for the Sep. 1999 choir visit to Minamata, by the Australian Sister Cities Association.Planned: | |
| 2001 | July-Aug. | Minamata Junior & High School Students' Exchange Visit to Devonport (17 people) |
| Nov. | A Cultural Delegation from Devonpor visit Minamata. | |
| 2002 | July-Aug. | Minamata Junior & High School Students' Exchange Visit to Devonport (12 people) |
| 2004 | Feb. | Eighth Anniversary of Sister City Relations Poster Exchange |
| 2005 | May | Delegation of 10, led by Mayor Peter Hollister visits Minamata |
| 2006 | Feb. | Devonport plants two Japanese cherry trees in commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of Sister City relations with Minamata |
| 2007 | Mar. | Delegation of 30 led by Mayor Miyamoto to Devonport |
| 2008 | Apr. | The delegation from the sister city, Devonport, visited Minamata |