City of Gold Coast participates in various sister city projects throughout the year. We help the local community take part.
These projects promote cultural understanding and skills development. They range from language scholarships and sporting exchanges to knowledge sharing, and arts and culture opportunities.
Project announcements for upcoming opportunities will be posted here. However, if you would like more information please email mayoralir@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Assistant Language Teacher Program, Takasu
As part of our sister city program, the Town of Takasu in Hokkaido invites a resident of the Gold Coast who is interested in the culture and lifestyle of Japan, to live in Takasu for 12 months and be employed as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT).
The position of ALT involves teaching English to school-aged Japanese students in Takasu. It also includes working as a Liaison Officer for Takasu Town Council and City of Gold Coast on cooperative projects.
Expressions of interest
Applications for the position of 26th Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Takasu, Japan, commencing 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 are now open. If you are interested in applying for this unique opportunity, please visit City of Gold Coast Jobs. Applications close 27 October 2024.
Taipei International Dragon Boat Championship
The Taipei International Dragon Boat Championship is held in Taipei annually during June or July. The championship is an exciting event which attracts thousands of athletes and tourists to Taipei to experience the culture and carnival celebration. As part of Taipei's sister city program, an exciting opportunity exists for a Gold Coast dragon boat team to compete internationally.
On behalf of Taipei, City of Gold Coast extends an invitation to local dragon boat teams to express their interest in participating in this championship. One Gold Coast team (of up to 28 participants) will be chosen to represent the city internationally in either the Men's Open, Women's Open or the Mixed Open Group category. Generous hospitality is provided by Taipei City including complimentary accommodation and on-ground transportation covering the dates of the championship.
Expressions of interest
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, details will be listed here in February.
Taipei City Chinese Language Scholarship
Taipei City Government annually awards a six-month Chinese Language Scholarship to 10 recipients from their 57 partner cities around the world.
The objective of the program is to promote city to city diplomacy and foster internationalisation in Taipei. It provides an opportunity for a Gold Coast resident to study Chinese in Taipei and become involved in cultural exchange activities arranged by Taipei City Government.
The scholarship program is valid for 6 consecutive months from September 2024 to February 2025. Taipei will provide each recipient with an allowance each month which is intended to cover monthly tuition fees, health insurance, accommodation and other general expenses.
Expressions of interest
Applications for the 2024 program have closed. If you're interested in applying for the 2025 program, details will be available from February 2025.
Chengdu International Sister Cities Youth Music Festival
As a component of Chengdu, China's sister city program, an exciting opportunity exists for Gold Coast musicians, performers and music groups to participate in the annual Chengdu International Sister Cities Youth Music Festival, usually held in July.
This annual music festival is sponsored by the Chengdu Municipal People's Government and is aimed at enhancing international friendship and exchanges by offering a platform for musicians, performers and music groups, aged 15 to 44 years, to showcase their artistic talents (singing, dancing, instruments, etc.).
The program runs for 7 days and features a grand opening, creative and diverse music shows, outdoor performances and other cultural activities. Generous hospitality is provided by Chengdu including all on-ground expenses including accommodation, meals and transportation.
- 2017 – Emmanuel College Big Band
- 2018 – Emmanuel College Big Band
- 2019 – Emmanuel College Big Band and String Quartet
– Serotonin, a Capella choir (Griffith University)
- 2024 – Youth Music Venture pop band
Find out more about their experiences.
Expressions of interest
Applications for the 2024 program have closed. If you're interested in applying for the 2025 program, details will be available from February 2025.
Lifeguard Exchanges with Kanagawa Prefecture
Since 1995, City of Gold Coast has hosted lifeguards from the Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan to participate in a specialised training program coordinated by City of Gold Coast Lifeguard Services branch. This program runs biennially and provides an opportunity for City Lifeguards to share their expertise and lifesaving techniques with a group of lifeguards from Kanagawa Prefecture.
Every other year, Kanagawa Prefecture invites 2 City of Gold Coast lifeguards to Kanagawa to provide information and training on the latest surf lifesaving techniques and to participate in an annual lifesaving competition held by the Kanagawa Lifesaving Association (subject to dates).
Taipei Book Exchange
Annually since 2005, City of Gold Coast Library participates in an annual book exchange with Taipei City Library. The exchange involves the donation of approximately 30 English books to Taipei City Library, and in return, a donation of 30 books printed in Traditional Chinese are given to City of Gold Coast Libraries. A variety of children's books, youth books and large print books are chosen for the exchange.
This is a wonderful opportunity to add to the diversity of books available in the foreign language collections of the libraries in both cities and helps to promote our Indigenous and Australian authors to a new audience.