Bali 'friendship relationship' touted for Rockingham

MANY residents consider Bali a great holiday destination, but Rockingham’s ties with the island could soon become a whole lot closer. Rockingham councillor Paul Ellis has proposed that the city establish a friendship relationship with Bali.

The suggestion has been welcomed by Rockingham resident Made Delaveris, who has developed strong networks with the island community, including the running of a disaster appeal after the 2002 Bali bombings.

It is understood the council’s global friendship committee, which Cr Ellis and Ms Delaveris are members of, has given the proposal an informal tick of approval. It is yet to be formally passed by the council.

Cr Ellis told the Courier a friendship relationship would have educational and cultural exchange benefits and would come at little cost to ratepayers. He said it would “not be an excuse for councillors to go on a junket” and would not be a sister-city relationship such as between Rockingham and Ako in Japan.

He was against creating relationships that cost ratepayers money and was opposed to the delegation of Mayor Barry Sammels, chief executive Andrew Hammond and Cr Deb Hamblin to Ako in March at a cost of $25,000.

“What we’re (the global friendship committee) suggesting is to have friendships with any cities that won’t cost council any money,” Cr Ellis said. “I’d be happy for friendship relationships with anywhere, so long as it’s community-based and rate-payers are actually benefiting out of the relationship.”

Ms Delaveris lived in Bali for several years and visits regularly, continuing her charity work and strengthening her bond with the island. She said a Bali friendship would have significant benefits for Rockingham. “There is a huge Balinese and Indonesian community here,” she said. “Bali is the primary holiday destination of pretty much everyone in Rockingham.”

Ms Delaveris said the relationship would generate goodwill in the short-term, boost tourism to Rockingham in the medium-term and have “phenomenal” economic benefits in the longer-term. “It will be a rich relationship. I can see them investing in training centres for hospitality and enrolling students in TAFE facilities,” she said.

“The exchange of ideas and building a culture of tolerance and understanding is really important where we do have such a mixed bag in Rockingham.”Mayor Sammels said an official proposal would need to be received from Indonesian authorities before council could consider formalising a friendship relationship with Bali.

“The City has not received an official proposal from Balinese representatives,” he said. “Following an official proposal, the benefits of a relationship would be investigated based on the Global Friendship Committee’s recommendation to council,” he said.