Mayor Cernanec and his partner Cathy Schwartz travelled to Australia for a friend’s wedding in Sydney’s northern suburbs.

However, they also used the opportunity to take in the tourist sights of the Bondi to Clovelly walk, Circular Quay and the Botanic Gardens in Sydney.

Directing them out of the city, Bega Valley Shire Mayor Michael Britten suggested they take in the coast road through Tilba and Bermagui before being welcomed with an Aussie barbecue at the Brittens’ Merimbula home.

Also at the barbecue were members of the Bega Littleton Citizen Exchange Program.

The sister city relationship was started in 1961 by then editor of the Bega District News Curly Annabel and his counterpart at the Littleton Independent Hous Waring.

A custom was established that on the first and sixth years of the decade, Littleton sends a delegation to Bega, while Bega makes a return vist on the third and eight years.

Continuing that tradition, Bega is set to lay out the welcome mat in March 2016.

On Monday though, the cups of tea and scones were laid out at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery for Mr Cernanec and Ms Schwartz, with many of the citizen exchange program members also in attendance.

Mr Cernanec outlined the differences in the local government areas – such as population and land area – but also the many similarities like the challenges associated with development and infrastructure.

“It’s often said it’s easy to build things, but harder to maintain them,” he said.

“Although on the drive in we have been very impressed with the quality of your roads.”

Mr Cernanec is planning to take in the Great Ocean Road and Derby Day in Melbourne before flying home to share his experiences with our sister city in Colorado.