By Dan Julien October 7, 1997
During the early
1960's, Mr. A.C. Paddison, General Manager of Transcontinental
Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd. paid a visit to Flagstaff and
Northern Arizona. Paddison was struck by the similarities between
Northern Arizona and the area surrounding his home area around
Katoomba (now an incorporated area known as The City of Blue
Mountains).
The similarities then as now include geographic
and geologic conditions, population, tourism, major railroads and
highways, proximity to a major national park and to Native
populations. There are obvious dissimilar characteristics as well.
These would include proximity to the sea, rivers and water falls,
precipitation, elevation extremes as from the top of the San
Francisco Peaks to the depth of the Grand Canyon, the wildlife and
of course the hemispheres.
The City of Blue Mountains is
comprised of twenty-six small townships and several town sites
divided into districts with elected representatives serving as
Councillors/Aldermen and a mayor. The City Hall is in Katoomba.
The City of Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia is
located on a plateau about sixty miles west of Sydney. The city is
surrounded by the Blue Mountains National Park, Kananga Boyd
National Park and several state forests. The south rim of the city
overlooks the great expanse of the Jamieson Valley. To the south and
west lie the Megalong and Kanimbla Valleys. Govetts Leap Valley is
to the north. Spectacular rock formations are exposed where the
valleys meet the plateau, one of the most prominent being the Three
Sisters off Echo Point on the south side of Katoomba. Many
breathtaking waterfalls cascade from the plateau to the valleys.
As Flagstaff has the famous Route 66 and the old Sante Fe
Railroad running parallel through the city creating interesting
challenges for crossings, The City of Blue Mountains has the same
situation. The Great Western Highway parallels the Western Railway
through the entire length of the city. These are the historic
arteries from Sydney west to the outback.
Prior to the visit
to northern Arizona by A. C. Paddison, individuals (often military
personnel) from Flagstaff visited the Blue Mountains as early as the
war years of the 1940's. Letters home to Flagstaff reported the
striking geologic and fauna similarities between the two areas. The
warm hospitality of the Blue Mountains citizens is fondly recalled
by all who visit.
The relationship between the two
communities began in 1965 but didn't materialize into a Twin-Town
Link (Sister City) agreement until mid-1967 when the two cities
exchanged flags and other gifts.
During the Vietnam War
years, arrangements were made through the Australian-American
Association for American Servicemen from Flagstaff who chose to
spend their military Rest and Recuperation leave in Australia to be invited to the Blue
Mountains. Over a period of years some 25 of these young men were
welcomed to the area.
The Blue Mountains Council purchased a
beautiful painting of the Three Sisters by a local artist, Mr. Tom
Alban and sent it as a gift to commemorate Flagstaff's 75th
anniversary. The painting is presently hanging in the outer lobby of
the mayor's office on the second floor of the Flagstaff City Hall.
On March 2, 1976, the City of Blue Mountains Council
acquired a coffee table made by a local craftsman displaying many
different examples of Australian wood. The table was sent as a gift
to Flagstaff to be used in the City Hall. Mayor Robert L. Moody
acknowledged receipt of the table. Presently this very beautiful
table is located in the City Manager's office on the second floor of
the Flagstaff City Hall.
In 1977, the City of Flagstaff
commissioned the weaving of a Two Gray Hills Navajo rug as a gift to
the City of Blue Mountains. A series of photographs by Dr. Gene
Balzer accompanied the rug. The photographs were of the weaver,
Lorraine Nelson, during various phases of the process and the
completed project with Mayor Robert L. Moody and former Mayor Sylvan
Harenberg, who, at that time was coordinating the Flagstaff Sister
City Committee. These photographs and other gifts were displayed on
one wall of the Council Chamber in Katoomba, referred to as "The
Flagstaff Wall" during a 1989 visit by this writer.
During
the thirty years of our Sister City relationship, scores of visitor
exchanges have taken place between the two cities--both official and
for pleasure. These include students, businessmen, photographers,
broadcasters, city officials, educators, tourists and many others.
Numerous gifts have been exchanged which are prominently
exhibited. A display of some items can be seen in the showcase of
the Flagstaff Public Library at this time.
In recognition of
our relationship, annually the City of Blue Mountains raises the
Flagstaff and American flags in a ceremony at their Council
Headquarters, in Katoomba, on the Fourth of July after which, coffee
and donuts are served. Flagstaff reciprocates by raising the
Australian flag at City Hall on Australia Day, January 26.
Information about the Flagstaff Sister City Association is available
at the library.
A delegation of sixteen visitors, including
the mayor and one alderman (councilman) visited Flagstaff on
October 6-13, 1997.
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