Sister cities mark 30 years

 By FIDELIS SUKINA

PORT Moresby and Townsville celebrated 30 years of sister-city relationship with high hopes for better things to come as the relationship progresses.

The Townsville contingent to Port Moresby was hosted by Governor Powes Parkop and staff at a dinner at the Grand Papua Hotel last Friday. 

They exchanged gifts and vowed to continue the sister-cities relationship.

Parkop said the initial concept for the sister-city relationship 30 years ago was cultural but it was now leaning more towards business, social and technical support with a recent exchange of technical manpower. 

Parkop said more direct flights and shipping services to Townsville were expected soon. He also praised the continued medical assistance by Youth With a Mission, a medical training ship based in Townsville, which recently travelled the Gulf of Papua providing medical assistance to rural communities.

Mayor of Townsville councillor Jenny Hill said the signing of the agreement 30 years ago was a unique bond shared in history and culture and a leading symbol that withstood political life from one government to another.

Hill also praised Port Moresby for being the first to respond during the flood disaster in 1998 in Townsville.