Lae, Morobe Province – The sister city bond between Cairns and Lae is flourishing in new and inspiring ways, with an exciting opportunity to explore a collaborative partnership between the Cairns Botanic Gardens and the Lae Botanic Garden taking root during Papua New Guinea’s 50th Independence Anniversary and the Morobe Agricultural Show.
The Cairns delegation, led by Mayor Amy Eden and joined by Dr Charles Clarke, curator of the Cairns Botanic Gardens, visited Lae at the invitation of PNG Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Lae Open, Hon. John Rosso. Against the vibrant backdrop of Independence celebrations and the colour of the Show, discussions turned to how the two cities can grow together through their shared tropical heritage.
One of the most warmly received ideas was the potential to create a “PNG Friendship Garden” in Cairns, featuring carved totem poles from Lae surrounded by Papua New Guinean plants already thriving in Cairns. This opportunity would celebrate cultural connections and also give everyday visitors a living reminder of the special friendship between the two cities.
Equally exciting were conversations about the potential for staff training and exchange. This could include Lae horticultural staff having the chance to undertake internships in Cairns, sharing their deep knowledge of PNG’s plants while learning new techniques in return. “Cairns Botanic Gardens can richly benefit from the expertise and spirit that Lae’s staff bring with them,” Dr Clarke reflected.
Cairns staff, too, could also benefit from travelling to Lae to see plants growing in their natural settings. Many PNG species are cultivated in Cairns but remain poorly documented in horticulture. By observing them in the wild, staff would gain valuable insight into how to care for them, correct long-standing misidentifications, and deepen scientific understanding. Such visits could also shine a positive light on Lae as a fascinating destination for eco-tourism.
For Dr Clarke, who has spent decades studying the tropics and is internationally regarded as a world authority on pitcher plants, the visit highlighted how science and culture can work hand in hand. “Botanic gardens can be more than collections of plants, they can be living symbols of friendship,” he said.
The potential for this collaborative partnership will be investigated further over the coming months.
Mayor Eden also reflected on the importance of the moment. “It was a privilege to stand alongside our sister city during this milestone Independence anniversary, and to feel the pride of the Morobe Show. Our partnership with Lae is enduring, and it continues to find new life in projects that bring people, culture, and knowledge together.”
The visit showed how the Cairns–Lae sister city connection goes far beyond ceremony, creating real opportunities for friendship through gardens, cultural exchange, tourism, and future generations. As Papua New Guinea looks confidently to its next 50 years, this partnership stands as a reminder of what can flourish when communities share knowledge, celebrate culture, and plant seeds of collaboration together.
