Gunnedah and Kolomotu’a are pursuing opportunities in four key areas: arts and culture, sports, education, and employment and the economy.

A number of memorandums of understanding are being explored to form the basis of practical partnerships between the two regions.

A group of business and community members represented the Gunnedah Shire at an Employment Expo in Tonga in October 2023. The Expo attracted representatives from a large range of industries, including much-needed skill sets such as early childhood learning, nursing, teaching, and trades such as electrical, carpentry, and mechanics. Close to 200 people registered their formal interest in pursuing employment.

Representatives from Tonga surprised the contingent from Gunnedah Shire just ahead of their departure with the unveiling of a street named “Gunnedah Avenue”.

The Expo followed on a second Gunnedah visit by Her Royal Highness Princess Angelika Lātūfuipeka Tukuʻaho, who is also the patron of the Sister City relationship, and a delegation from Kolomotu’a in July 2023. The delegation visited businesses and community groups, and attended the Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce Gala Ball.

In December 2022, Gunnedah hosted a Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workshop to introduce local employers to the Federal Government program.

The workshop was held by Pacific Labour Facility Regional Manager Fionnuala Dixon, who said that eligible businesses could recruit workers through the PALM Scheme for seasonal jobs for up to nine months or for longer-term roles for between one and four years in unskilled, low-skilled and semi-skilled positions.

To find out more about the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme, visit https://www.palmscheme.gov.au/