In August 1997, Barbara Nuthall visited Lanzhou, in the People’s Republic of China, as part of a delegation of six people from Young ‘to achieve further relationships and economic development with the city of Lanzhou’, as well as a Sister City relationship.

In 2024 she donated this plaque, which was gifted to her on that visit, to the Young Historical Museum.

On August 14, the delegation from Young began their tour with Lanzhou representatives, with four days in the southern city of Guangzhou and then they travelled north-west to the 1997 Gansu Lanzhou Trade Fair.

The Simplified Chinese text at the bottom right-hand corner of the plaque translates to ‘Lanzhou (Gansu) Fair 1997’.

Four representatives of the delegation represented Young Shire Council: Mayor, Cr Tony Hewson, Cr. Jan Martin, General Manager Steve McGrath and Director of Environmental Services Brian Page.

Nuthall and Karen Kemp ‘were selected by ballot after entering an application of interest as representatives of the Young community.’

Nuthall planned to work on ‘personal relations and ensuring the people understand Australian culture’.

‘Young’s delegation had VIP treatment during their stay in Lanzhou. Every meal was a banquet attended by a host of official representatives.’

A delegation from Lanzhou made a reciprocal visit to Young from Friday 28 November to Monday 1 December 1997.

This delegation included Mayor of Lanzhou, Zhu Zuoyong, Director of Foreign Affairs Office Lanzhou Municipal People’s Government, Wu Shenlu, Director of Lanzhou Finance Bureau, Chen Dongzhi, Director of Lanzhou City Tax Bureau, Du Weizhi, Director of Shenzhen Office, Wang Pu and translator of Lanzhou City Foreign Affairs Office, Huo Zhaocheng.

They signed the sister city relationship agreement at the civic reception at the Young Town Hall on Saturday 29 November, just prior to the Cherry Festival Street Parade in the presence of the PRC Consul General and Deputy Consul General.

The Street Parade was then led by Mayor, Tony Hewson and the Chinese delegates.

Following the parade, the delegates planted a tree at Carrington Park and at Chinamen’s Dam, where the Chinese Tribute Gardens were being constructed.

The Chinese delegates visited Heibl Glass in Murringo, JD’s Jam Factory, the ‘Wool Room’ at Pleasant View, National Engineering, ‘Willawong’ as well as the abattoir, some farms and an orchard, before touring Bateman’s Bay, Canberra and Sydney.

The images on the plaque given to Nuthall are of the Dunhuang Goddess or flying apsaras, inspired by the Buddhist murals at Dunhuang, Gansu province, which commonly feature in the People’s Republic of China’s diplomatic projects.

They are also featured on the Moon Gate which was added to Lambing Flat Chinese Tribute Garden in 2021.

Karen Schamberger – Young Historical Society