Successful international delegation strengthens Council’s global ties
Published on 26 November 2025
Frankston City Mayor Kris Bolam JP has returned from a multi-country international goodwill delegation that strengthened long-standing Sister and Friendship City relationships across Japan, China, Fiji, and the United States – delivering new cultural, economic and community benefits for Frankston City.
As detailed in the Mayor’s extensive delegation report, presented to Councillors at the 17 November 2025 Council Meeting, the delegation reaffirmed Frankston City’s commitment to working with international partners in practical and modern ways.
“This is not a time for cities to look inward or close themselves off. Frankston City is open to ideas, to partnerships, and to opportunities both here at home and abroad,” Mayor Bolam said.
“Our strength lies in engagement, not isolation.”
The program, which encompassed thirty-two official meetings and engagements, focused on job creation, education pathways, cultural exchange, and new community-to-community partnerships that will support Frankston City’s ongoing transformation. Frankston City's recent status as a Refugee Welcome Zone, Victorian Small Business Friendly Council, Welcoming City and Victoria’s Tidy Town for 2025 reflects a community that is increasingly outward-looking, connected and ready for opportunity.
Frankston City currently maintains active Sister and Friendship City relationships:
- Susono, Japan – Sister City since 1982
- Wuxi, China – Sister City since 2011
- Suva, Fiji – Friendship City, since 2021
- Annapolis, Maryland, USA –formally added as Frankston City’s newest Friendship City during the visit.
The Mayor’s report highlights that the delegation delivered several high-value economic and cultural opportunities for Frankston City, including:
- Wuxi, China
- A construction materials company issuing a Letter of Intent to build a $20 million factory in Frankston City, expected to create more than 30 local jobs with potential for expansion.
- A Wuxi investor signalling intent to establish a psychology practice, creating up to seven local jobs.
- A private museum owner offering a Sino cultural exhibition for Frankston, attracting both local and visiting audiences.
- The Wuxi General Chamber of Commerce formalising a Sister Chamber partnership with the Frankston Business Chamber (formerly Frankston Business Collective).
- $15,000 donated by the Wuxi Chamber of Commerce and Sinopec to support Frankston City’s upcoming Accessible Beach foreshore pilot.
- Education and innovation discussions involving Monash University Peninsula Campus, Chisholm, Peninsula Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi University of Technology and the Wuxi International Life Sciences Park.
- The Australian Wuxi Chamber of Commerce has proposed to fully fund and construct a traditional Chinese-style pagoda at Wuxi Way, near the Frankston Foreshore, as a gift to Frankston City in celebration of the upcoming 15th anniversary of the Frankston–Wuxi sister city relationship.
- During the Mayor’s visit, both the Wuxi Municipal Government and the Australian Wuxi Chamber of Commerce unveiled permanent promotional signage advertising Frankston as Wuxi’s sister city.
- Suva, Fiji
- Invitation for the Fiji Football Association to utilise Frankston’s soccer facilities for national-team training – strengthening tourism and sporting links.
- Susono, Japan
- Renewal of the Sister City Memorandum of Understanding, the first in almost 15 years.
- Attendance at a remembrance ceremony honouring late Mayor Dr Shunji Ohashi, with a Letter Under Seal on behalf of the Frankston City community presented to Dr Ohashi’s family.
- Annapolis and Wichita, USA
- Formal establishment of the Frankston–Annapolis Friendship City Agreement, signed by Mayor Bolam and Mayor Gavin Buckley.
- Sister Chamber offers from both the Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce (Annapolis) and the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce.
- Exploratory discussions with Wichita, Kansas, on a potential Friendship City relationship centred on cultural and historical connections.
- Initial discussions with a major U.S. restaurant chain about potential investment in Frankston.
A wide range of additional opportunities across all cities are highlighted in the Mayor’s delegation report, including a visit to Frankston local Archie Wilson, who is on exchange on a football scholarship with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Reflecting on the strengthening of business ties, Frankston Business Chamber CEO Bernadine Geary said “The partnerships established by the Mayor on this goodwill tour shows what is possible through proactive global outreach. Between Ambassador Xiao Qian’s visit to Frankston City in August and this latest series of international discussions, Frankston City is emerging as a confident, regionally anchored city with a growing global outlook.”
Deputy Mayor of Susono City, Chisato Onishi, welcomed the strengthened relationship, saying “Mayor Bolam’s travel to Frankston’s sister cities sends a strong message that Frankston City values its international partnerships. We were honoured he took time to visit Susono and look forward to enhancing our relations even further into the future.”
Mayor Bolam personally funded his own flights, meals, transport, incidentals and additional gifts at a total of more than $8,700. He travelled without staff, and Council’s total contribution of $8,026.99 for accommodation and ceremonial gifts was 30% below the approved budget of $11,500.
Mayor Bolam noted in his report a high level of community returns already secured and the significant investment potential still emerging.
“The results of this tour speak for themselves – new partnerships, investment pathways, and opportunities that will continue to unfold in the months and years ahead,” Mayor Bolam said.
“For an outlay of just over $8,000, few initiatives have delivered such strong value for our community.”
From 2026–2027, Council will increase the Sister and Friendship Cities budget from $15,000 to $20,000 across all partnerships and will be tied to measured outcomes, social impact and clear strategic purpose. Council is also developing a strategy to guide friendship and sister relations into the future.
Mayor Bolam said Council will now focus on progressing the opportunities identified on the tour.
“Our task now is to turn goodwill into results – building on this momentum to secure new investment, strengthen cultural ties, and deliver opportunities for Frankston City’s future.”
“Moving forward, it is vital that future councils continue nurturing these relationships so Frankston can realise their full benefits.”
For more information on Council’s Sister and Friendship City relationships, visit: https://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Community-and-Health/Sister-Cities
Mayor Kris Bolam JP meeting Susono Mayor Harukaze Murata and Deputy Mayor Chisato Onishi.
Annapolis City Council Mayor Gavin Buckley and Frankston City Council Mayor Kris Bolam JP.
Reception between Mayor Kris Bolam and Wuxi Mayor Jiang Feng.