Hawkesbury Sister City Association Inc

22/10/2026

Welcome Home, Student Ambassadors! 🇯🇵🇺🇸

Last night, we welcomed home our wonderful student ambassadors from KyoTamba and Temple City! 🏡✨

It was so special to hear their cherished memories, share their amazing experiences, and celebrate the beautiful, lasting bonds they formed with their loving host families. ❤️ These connections are what make cultural exchanges so meaningful, creating friendships and memories that will be treasured for years to come.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this experience so special. We’re so proud of our student ambassadors and look forward to seeing these wonderful friendships continue to grow! 🌏🤝💕

✨ Want to be part of this wonderful experience? ✨

Applications for 2027 are now OPEN! 🎉 If you’d love the opportunity to experience a new culture, make lifelong friendships, and create unforgettable memories, we’d love to hear from you!

🌐 Head to our website to find out more and apply now! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this amazing journey! 💕✈️

👉 https://hawkesburysistercity.com.au/

11/10/2026

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN US......
Applications for our 2027 Cultural Exchange Program are open for High School students in Year 9,10,11 in 2027. Eligible students must attend a public or private high school in the Hawkesbury area OR attend a high school outside the Hawkesbury area but reside within the Hawkesbury area.
Information: Hawkesbury Sister Association is a sub committee of Hawkesbury City Council. Each year we send a total of 10 students- 5 students to KyoTamba,Japan, and 5 students to Temple City, USA. Our student cultural exchange program is over 25 years old. Please scan the QR code for an application form. Detailed on the form is information about cost, travel dates, commitment to meetings and events, and home hosting. We have an information evening on Monday 2nd November 2026 at 7pm in the Tebbutt Room, at the Deerubbin Centre, Windsor. Applications close 5pm on Friday 13th November 2026. If successful for an interview- students will need to attend selection activity/interview day on Sunday 6th December 2026 9:30-4pm.
For more information about our organisation please see our website https://hawkesburysistercity.com.au/
Any inquiries - DM our page or email
[email protected] or [email protected]

09/10/2026

✨Temple City ambassador update from Sophie✨

On our final week of the Temple City exchange there are so many awesome memories to reflect upon. The committee has made me feel so welcomed here and I am so appreciative of all the effort that they have put into making my experience the trip of a lifetime.

One of my favourite places that I have been taken to this week with them includes my two night stay at Lake Arrowhead, it was so cool to be surrounded by nature and see the beautiful lake at big bear and kayak around it. It was also very refreshing getting away from city life for a few nights and experiencing American nature and seeing all the redwood trees, I felt like I was in the movie twilight. I have also had a joyful time at all of the elementary schools, all of the kids are so excited to see us and ask us questions. It was so fun to play with them all at recesses and lunch.

For me I think the major part of this trip has definitely been forming a connection and bonding with my host family. I am forever grateful and thankful for the effort they have put into making me feel at home. Since day one I have felt nothing but comfortable at my host families house. They have also taken me to many cool touristy places, and a few of their family favourites.

A few notable experiences with the family has been, when they took me out to an outdoor dark comedy play, experiencing true Mexican food cooked by my host mums dad it was so delicious and the main highlight has certainly been the magic castle and the magic castle hotel. I have never believed in magic but after visiting the magic castle i genuinely cannot beleive some of the tricks I saw, it was mind blowing, and so much fun to see and hear about all of the rich history the building carries from my host dad Avi who works there. It has also been such a joy to get to know the family and to experience their everyday lives, I feel so apart of their family and will certainly miss them dearly once I am gone.

08/10/2026

07/10/2026

✨Temple City ambassador update from Allyrah✨

This week has been filled with incredible memories. I’m so grateful to my amazing host family for taking such great care of me, showing me around LA, and making me feel so welcome.

This week was packed with amazing experiences, from visiting Oak Avenue School and exploring Pasadena, to spending the day at Disneyland, exploring Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, kayaking, eating incredible food, and enjoying time with friends.

I also loved experiencing the Korean festival, watching my host sisters perform their Chinese dances, visiting the Getty Museum, and celebrating Jingrou’s birthday. I’m so thankful for everyone who has made me feel so welcome and for all the incredible memories I’ve made so far and making this experience one I’ll never forget!

04/10/2026

✨Kyotamba ambassador update from Madi✨

Our time here in Japan so far has been incredible. The first three days we have had a great experience at Komono Junior High School.

On Monday, we had our first day at Komono Junior High School where we joined the 1st graders english class and learnt Japanese calligraphy. After our school lessons we were taken to the committee office where we participated in fun games and made origami.

On Tuesday we joined the 2nd graders in their english classes. It was fun helping them practice their english, and participating in games to improve communication in english. We also did a flower arrangement and Judo lesson, which was so much fun. After school we did Japanese meditation in a temple for 40 minutes which was a very interesting and new experience.

We spent Wednesday with the 3rd graders, participating in their english class and enjoying lunch together. Lily and I also prepared and presented short speeches about our fun experiences at Komono Junior High School. After school, we wore Yukatas and learnt some traditional Japanese dancing which was very enjoyable.

On Thursday we headed off on our overnight trip to Hiroshima. We visited the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Park and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. These experiences helped us understand the historical event and the impact it had. We also explored the Hondori shopping street and tried Okunimiyaki which was delicious.

Today we travelled to Miyajima, an island home to the floating tori gate, and many beautiful and cheeky deer. It was a very exciting experience.

Japan is such a beautiful place and the experience so far has been incredible. I am shocked by the fact that it has already been two weeks. They say time flies when you are having fun.

01/10/2026

✨Temple City ambassador update from Aidan✨

Time has flown by, it doesn’t feel like I have been here for two weeks because I have been having so much fun.

Going to school has been different and interesting, extracurricular activities are much more prominent, and it’s awesome to see our host siblings doing the things they love and are passionate about.

We enjoyed our day out at Universal Studios getting plenty of photos and souvenirs as well as doing some shopping at the mall, and trying many of the American fast food chains we have heard about.

I have also enjoyed spending time going out with my host family to the Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, and Huntington Beach. I am so grateful for being shown around and seeing the sites I want to see.

Getting to know my host family has also been enjoyable and a new experience. I have tried many new Chinese dishes that I have never heard of, and I enjoy getting to reflect on the day at the dinner table with the whole family.

I was also lucky enough to go to a USC football game with my aunt and uncle who live in here in America. Getting to go a sports bar to watch the NFL with them was also a great experience.

These first two weeks have been full of fun and excitement, I can’t wait to see what the next two weeks bring.

01/10/2026

✨Temple City ambassador update from Ella✨

While week two of this trip has come far too quickly, I’m starting to realise that time really does fly when you’re surrounded by the right people. My host family have been the kindest, most understanding people I could have hoped to meet. With their generosity, their time, and always making their beautiful home feel like mine too. I’ve been genuinely moved by the support and acceptance from the whole community here, and the effort every host family has put into making us feel welcome.

In just two weeks, I’ve been shown more kindness, generosity, and care than I ever expected. Every family, teacher, student, and especially my own hosts have made this experience feel bigger than a cultural exchange experience. I’m so grateful for the memories we’ve already made and for the people who have welcomed us. If the rest of this trip is anything like these first weeks, I know I’ll carry Temple City with me long after I’m home.

29/09/2026

✨Kyotamba ambassador update from Lily✨

What an incredible first week in Kyotamba! 🇯🇵❤️
After a long journey, we were warmly welcomed by the committee and our host families. We’ve been lucky enough to experience so much already from visiting schools and meeting amazing students, to delivering speeches, performing, trying Japanese drumming, wearing kimonos, making homemade udon and taking part in a traditional tea ceremony.

Our four-day break was packed with fun too! We watched hockey and volleyball, explored Osaka and Arashiyama, visited the Monkey Park, attended a festival, enjoyed plenty of delicious Japanese food, shopping and even celebrated Gato’s birthday with friends and family.

It’s only been one week, but I’ve already made so many amazing memories and friendships that I’ll cherish for years to come. Feeling very grateful for this incredible experience!

25/09/2026

✨Temple City Ambassador update from Austin✨

It’s crazy to believe we’ve only been here for one week. All the fun activities we’ve done so far have made it feel so much longer.

On Monday, we went to Temple City High School and enjoyed a tour from Diana. A highlight for me was seeing the massive football field and track oval.

On Tuesday, we had a tour around Temple City. We visited the county station. Officer Bui kindly took time out of his shift to show us around the station, going through all the cells, call centre, offices and also outside to the helipad to see one land!

Next we visited the local fire station, they kindly gave us merchandise of their station, allowed us into one of the engines and also allowed us to try on and carry gear. I don’t know how they do it on the daily, it was really heavy. But when we were leaving, the station was rung for a fire, so as they left we wished them luck.

Next stop was the library, it was very nice and also a very tiny walk away. Then we stopped into the Temple City Historical Museum which had very cool memorabilia plus a book about the Hawkesbury.

We also visited city hall and were introduced to many different people who help the community with buildings, we then got taken into the council chambers and told about what happens within them.

During the week I also enjoyed going to school with my host sibling and I must say, it was very cool experiencing an American high school and seeing how different it is.

On the weekend I went to an exhibit that was called “Neonika” with my host sibling which had a lot of interesting rooms to explore. We also visited some popular landmarks such as Beverly Hills and MacArthur Park. It was fun seeing places I’ve only seen in movies and games in real life. It’s been an action packed week and I’m excited for what’s to come next.