The communities of Blacktown City and Liverpool Plains Shire joined together for a weekend of fun, festivity and friendship for the fourth annual Christmas Hangi in the Country.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM and Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths led a delegation to Quirindi, in the North West Slopes of NSW, for the special Sister Cities celebration.
Blacktown City has had a proud Sister Cities relationship with Liverpool Plains Shire since 2005, and has travelled to the region to celebrate a Christmas Hangi for four years.
A group of Maori Wardens, ambassadors from Korean Sister City Suseong-Gu, current and former Blacktown City Youth Ambassadors, Mitchell High School students and volunteers from Lions and Mount Druitt Seniors joined the delegation.
"For 17 years, Blacktown City has enjoyed a special relationship with Liverpool Plains Shire, and it was wonderful to be able to visit once again after two years of COVID disruptions," Mayor Bleasdale said.
"Blacktown City is a good friend of Liverpool Plains, and while we may be separated by distance, we are never too far in times of need.
"The relationship between our two cities is one of collaboration and contrast - it is wonderful for the urbanised City of Blacktown to have this connection with the beautiful agricultural region of Liverpool Plains.
"I thank Liverpool Plains Shire Mayor Doug Hawkins OAM and the local community for their warm welcome and hospitality during our visit."
The Maori Wardens prepared a hangi feast for the community to enjoy band hosted a show comprised of Haka performances and traditional Maori song and dance at the Royal Theatre in Quirindi.
The weekend also featured a special meeting between the Maori delegates and Indigenous Kamilaroi Elders of Liverpool Plains, with traditional song, dance and a smoking ceremony.
Students from Mitchell High School and Western Sydney Elvis performer David Cazalet performed at the hangi and at a Christmas concert for the Quirindi community.
Mayor Bleasdale thanked the delegates for their participation: "I thank the Maori Wardens, the students, ambassadors and volunteers for their hard work and talented performances during the visit.
"The Maori Wardens have been an integral part of Blacktown City's delegation to Liverpool Plains since the first Hangi in the Country.
"The students of Mitchell High School and Blacktown City Youth Ambassadors represented our City's young people with great pride and showcased the talents of our youth."
The partnership has fostered strong connections between both cities in the areas of education, economic development, sport, culture and youth exchange. Sister City activities include the Liverpool Plains Military Tattoo, Blacktown City Festival, Food Bowl project and Business Chamber partnership.
Picture: Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM with Liverpool Plains Shire Mayor Doug Hawkins OAM (right) and Elvis performer David Cazalet at the Quirindi community Christmas Party.
