About the Stratford Reunion 2003

The principle objective behind the Sister Cities program is to promote friendship and cultural exchange between participating countries. Membership is restricted to those Stratfords which have a Shakespeare Theatre or Festival. Stratford, Victoria, has had a Shakespeare Festival for over 10 years and therefore qualified and was duly accepted into the program.

Reunions are held every 2 years and are hosted in rotation by the member cities. A small delegation from Stratford Victoria, visited Stratford New Zealand in 1999 and enjoyed the hospitality of the host country and established ongoing friendships with other Stratfordians. Greetings and gifts were exchanged in Stratford, NZ. on behalf of the Mayor of Wellington Shire Council. The 2001 reunion was held on Prince Edward Island, Canada, from September 12th - 16th.

There are many Cities and Towns around the world with similar names; Stratford is no exception. Some Stratford's have and continue to establish relationships among the other cities, towns and their residents.

A group of Stratford Sister Cities got together in 1984 and began to have some reciprocal interaction. The two Stratfords that are closest to each other, Stratford, Ontario and Stratford, Connecticut, have had a long history of cultural, sporting and social exchanges.

In 1985, Stratford-Upon-Avon, England, became involved and with their involvement, a reunion had taken place every two years. There were reunions in Connecticut in 1993, Ontatrio in 1995, England in 1997 and in New Zealand in 1999.

Stratford, Prince Edward Island, joined the Sister Cities group in 1997. At about the same time, Stratford, New Zealand, became interested and also joined.

There were five Stratfords involved in the 1997 reunion in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England. Stratford, Australia, joined the group in 1998, so there were six sister cities involved in the 1999 reunion in Stratford, New Zealand.

The cultural aspect is important to the reunions. Three of the Sister Cities have well known theatres. A concert involving participation from each sister city is an integral part of each reunion. Each sister city asks its residents to billet so that the visitors can experience family living in a private home. This also helps to form lasting relations among the visitors and their hosts.

The reunions focus heavily on socialising rather than conference style meetings. The only meeting held is to determine the location of the next reunion.

Local and national businesses are usually asked for support in defraying some of the costs involved in each reunion and have been most generous in the past.

The committee has formulated a program for the March 2003 reunion and details can be obtained by emailing [email protected] or contact us by post: PO Box 25, Stratford, Victoria, Australia 3862.