Mayor's column: Embracing diverse culture

On Monday, I will be welcoming 23 new citizens from Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Finland, Kenya, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, Turkey and Vietnam.

Australia is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world, and since 1949 we have welcomed more than five million new citizens to our shores.

Applications to take part in council's student exchange program with our sister city, Yamato Takada, are now open. This is an exciting opportunity for local students aged between 14-17.

We are looking for five students who want to immerse themselves in Japanese culture from 30 September to 11 October, which is during school holidays.

As part of the program, they'll stay with a Japanese family, experiencing language, cuisine and daily life in Japan first-hand.

We are also looking for an adult chaperone to travel with the students, as well as host families for the Yamato Takada students who are coming to Lismore between July 24 and August 9.

Having just returned from Yamato Takada, I can personally testify that the exchange is a wonderful experience. Go to www.yoursay.lismore.com.gov.au for details.

What a great couple of days of women's baseball so far in Lismore, with two more days to go.

I have been away in Sydney attending the Country Mayor's Forum at the end of the week, but I am heading over to Albert Park Baseball and Softball complex over the weekend to watch a few games.

In case you missed it, about 550 women and girl baseballers are battling it out in the Australian Women's Baseball Showcase that has attracted some of the best players in the world and the Australian Little League Girls Division Championships.

The Showcase is being broadcast around the world via Baseball+, with Baseball Australia agreeing to run an ad that council produced to encourage people to come and discover all the great things Lismore has to offer.

Finally, I would like to wish all mothers a very happy Mother's Day and thank them for all that they do.