Milestone : (n) an event marking a significant new development or stage

There are events that mark significant milestones in my life: my first job, turning 21, marriage and children, to name a few. And there's another milestone that continues to play a significant role in my life today. But we'll get to that one a little later.

I've always had an interest in Japan, due in part to the murky history between Japan and Korea, where my parents migrated from, and also to my love of all things ' Hello Kitty '. Optimistically, and somewhat perversely (my parents weren't too keen on the idea initially), I decided that in studying Japanese I could build small bridges between these two cultures and see where the journey would take me.

Which brings me to another milestone: Miss Port Phillip-Obu Staff Exchange 1998. No sash or tiara, but I wouldn't trade it in for all the sushi in Japan. As part of a reciprocal staff exchange program that had been established the year before, I spent three months based in Obu City Council, fine-tuning and implementing projects that I'd been developing for months beforehand - a library book exchange program, between our cities' libraries, and a (very basic, unlike this snazzy number!) Sister Cities information page for our Port Phillip website.

A simple taste of this wonderful dish wasn't enough, though. By the time I returned from the staff exchange, I was hooked. I had to find a way to stay involved somehow, no matter how difficult it proved to be. In the end, it didn't prove difficult at all. I was lucky enough to be appointed Sister Cities Coordinator in 1999 and I haven't looked back since!

Some of the projects that I've worked on include school visits, community and council visits, workshops and forums, the odd reception or two and of course, the staff exchange program. I've had the chance to get to know our communities and met some wonderful people along the way, both in Obu and Port Phillip. And I've seen firsthand the way people can so easily break down the barriers of culture and language to develop lasting relationships.

It's fantastic to see that so many others feel the same passion for the sister city relationship that I do, and I get excited when I think of the new directions that this shared passion will lead us. The sister city relationship between Port Phillip and Obu is unique in so many ways. It's not a relationship for the sake of having a relationship, but rather, it is a foundation upon which we can build greater, more meaningful relationships, at an organisational level, but more importantly, at a personal level.

I think I've become much better at building bridges over the years. And the journey is always so much more memorable when you have someone to make that journey with you.

Carol Tu (née Rhee) was the first Staff Exchange Program participant from the City of Port Phillip to the City of Obu. She has been the Sister Citis Coordinator for the City of Port Phillip since 1999.