Introduction to Koshigaya's Sister City, CAMPBELLTOWN

OVERVIEW

  Campbelltown is located in New South Wales 53 kilometers southwest of Sydney. Traditionally, it was a prosperous rural district providing wheat for Sydney. Today, with rapid population growth it has transformed into a cosmopolitan urban city. Campbelltown is a beautiful green city with a land area of 312 square kilometers and a population of about 150,000 people. Further, within the suburbs on the outskirts of Sydney, Campbelltown has been recognized for its extraordinary potential in industry, retail and building sectors. Campbelltown has been sister cities with Koshigaya's City since April 11, 1984. The Sister City Associations of both cities are central to continuing the relation of friendship through Youth, Official, Sports and Cultural delegations.

HISTORY

In 1810 Governor Macquarie recommended the Campbelltown area for settlement and named the district Airds. By 1811 there were 107 settlers in the district. At the end of 1820, Governor Macquarie prepared to establish Campbelltown as the capital of the district. It was to be a center of religion and provide accommodation for travelers passing through. Campbelltown was founded on December 1, 1820. Governor Macquarie named it in honor of his wife, whose maiden name was Campbell. In the early days, the area prospered through the harvest of wheat as the granary of Sydney. James Ruse, who died in 1837, was recognized as the founder of the Australian wheat industry and was buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Campbelltown Cemetery. The history of local government can be traced back to 17 August, 1843. On this day, Governor George Gipps established the Campbelltown Local Government with his signature. Presently, Campbelltown is the joint amalgamation of Campbelltown and Ingleburn. On the third of May, 1968 the City of Campbelltown was proclaimed.

Fishers Ghost Festival

Every year in November many Campbelltown residents gather together in large numbers for the Fishers Ghost Festival. This festival celebrates the legend of Campbelltown's Fishers Ghost legend, famous within Australia. How would you like to participate in this festival and meet the Fishers Ghost ?