The Sister City Committee chair said her uncle, Bill Ellis had been the Town Clark at the time. 

As a schoolgirl, Ms McPherson fondly recalled her pen-friend from Leavenworth – in the middle of America. 

Ms McPherson said it was the strength of Wagga’s partnership with Nördlingen, in Germany, that later inspired her to live there. 

"It’s like a fairytale,” Ms McPherson said. “I remember when there was a beer festival here in Wagga and people from Germany would come visit.”

The arrival of two of leaders from Wagga’s three sister cities inspired Ms McPherson’s trip down memory lane on Friday. 

”If anyone wants to travel they need to put the cities on the itinerary,” she said. “It really is a wonderful opportunity.”

Ms McPherson this week met with representatives from Wagga’s twin cities in Germany and America, alongside Mayor Greg Conkey.

The delegates are this year celebrating the regional city’s 55-year union with Leavenworth and a milestone 50 years with Nördlingen. 

Mayor Conkey said the anniversary recognised a great partnership, forged many years ago between great nations, cities and people. 

He said unfortunately, Kunming – in China – was unable to send a representative. 

“We have a long and proud history with our sister cities and look forward to hosting the delegates ... and showing them all that Wagga has to offer,” Cr Conkey said. “It’s been very successful across the years.”

Cr Conkey praised the hospitality of Wagga’s twin cities and said it was great to be able to repay them, showcasing the best of what the Riverina had to offer. 

The party intend to visit the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka and Charles Sturt University, taking part in a cultural tour and attending a Citizenship Ceremony across the weekend.

The big reunion comes as the region combines more than 100 countries and languages, and more than 60 cultures at its annual Fusion Festival. 

The delegates will on Saturday join more than 10,000 residents and visitors, enjoying an impressive entertainment line up, and exotic and traditional foods at the Victory Memorial Gardens. 

Nördlingen mayor Hermann Faul said his city’s band, Tintenfisch would be among those performing.

Mayor Faul said he was very proud of the union; the first documented Germanic-Australian city friendship.

“It opens up the possibilities for young people to travel to Wagga,” Mayor Faul said. “Coming here, we see the life of an Australian family … We love Wagga Wagga.” 

Leavenworth Mayor Nancy Bauder said the Riverina city was very beautiful, very clean and very safe. 

“It’s very similar to Leavenworth,” Ms Bauder said.