Penrith International Friendship Committee (PIFC)

Penrith International Friendship Committee (PIFC)

PIFC Logo

The Penrith International Friendship Committee aims to foster friendship, communication and understanding between people internationally. It also encourages and facilitates the participation of the people of Penrith in cultural, educational, sporting and social activities with international links established by the City.

Contact

For information about the Committee, please contact Council’s International Partnerships Officer: 

Ruth Hart      
Telephone: 02 4732 8131
Email: 

Committee members

  • Chair: Jackie Greenow OAM 
  • Vice-Chairperson: Kerrie Gane
  • Treasurer: Sarah Taylor
  • Secretary: Veronica Neal
  • Publicity Coordinator: Lilian Neal
  • Executive Members: Tomoko Ward, Clare Ward, Diana Jelovic

Life members

The following people have been honoured with life membership for their contributions to the Penrith International Friendship Committee:

  • Mr Brian King, AM: awarded in April 1987 for his role in developing Penrith's international links and for his commitment to the ideals of the Sister City Movement.
  • Mrs Cheryl Heley: awarded in April 1989 for her services to the Penrith City Sister Cities Association in furthering the links between Fujieda and Penrith.
  • Mr Bruce Weston: awarded in May 1993 in recognition of his outstanding commitment as a founding member of the Association in furthering the links between Fujieda and Penrith.
  • Ms Jackie Greenow OAM: awarded in November 2016 in recognition of her long-standing commitment to the International Friends and for her contributions to strengthening the links between Penrith and its Sister Cities. 

Documents

 

History

The Penrith International Friendship Committee (PIFC) was formed in 1984 as the Penrith City Sister Cities Association (PCSCA) just before the formal signing of Penrith's first international agreement - a sister city relationship with Fujieda City in Shizuoka, Japan.

This agreement and the purpose of PCSCA reflected the worldwide Sister City movement and focused on the development of international friendship and cultural understanding through cultural, sporting and education programs.

In 1995 the structure of the PCSCA was reviewed and a new entity called the Penrith International Friendship Committee was formed, with a new constitution, to foster friendship, communication and understanding between people internationally.

Achievements

The PIFC undertakes a major activity each year with Fujieda City, the reciprocal Student Exchange Program. The Committee is also involved in occasional visits to Penrith by other international partners.

Logo

In early 1990 the Penrith City Sister Cities Association ran a competition to design a logo for their association. Over 50 entries were received, and local St Clair resident, Mrs Beverly McLoughlin's design of 3 stylised green leaves on a bright yellow background was chosen as the preferred design. The leaves represent the growth which occurs within the Sister Cities Movement demonstrating the theme "Growing in Friendship". This original logo was also adopted when the Association was reformed and named the Penrith International Friendship Committee (PIFC) in 1995 and while the colour of the logo's background has been changed to white it remains a proud symbol of the PIFC.