A letter from Brisbane City Council in Australia has been presented to North Ayrshire in a bid to boost stronger educational and cultural links through Largs astronomer, soldier and benefactor Sir Thomas Brisbane's legacy.
Brisbane in Australia is gearing up to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032 - and the city wants to bolster its historical links with Largs to put Sir Thomas Brisbane's home town in the spotlight when the city hosts the global sporting spectacle.
Independent councillor Ian Murdoch sees this as an amazing opportunity to grow links between Largs and North Ayrshire and Brisbane, with the opening day of the Brisbane Olympics falling on Sir Thomas's birthday.
Speaking at a recent council meeting, Cllr Murdoch said: "I first met David Muir of the Clem Jones Foundation in 2019, and was invited to another meeting with him in June of this year. Councillor Alan Hill was also in attendance.
"I also attended another meeting with Juliette Bentley of Brisbane in Australia who is involved in promoting the educational links between Brisbane, Largs and North Ayrshire.
"The reason for these meetings is because they are both highly involved in trying to resurrect the Brisbane Observatory which stood in the grounds of Brisbane House in Largs. He was also Governor of New South Wales in Australia from 1821-25.
"Sir Thomas happened to be one of the most famous astronomers in the world, and Brisbane, the city in Australia, was named after him, and not a lot of people know that.
"I personally support that NAC create stronger links between Largs and North Ayrshire, and Brisbane in Australia, and the fact that the Brisbane Olympics will be opening on the day of Sir Thomas Brisbane's birthday in 2032, means that there will be a world focus on Brisbane, and its background story linking it to Largs.
"That is something we should be cherishing and promoting along with educational links.
"This is not just about Largs and its history, but it is about North Ayrshire as a whole, and I'd like to see Juliette Bentley put in touch with the head of the education department regarding this, as it will have educational and tourism benefits."
Cllr Murdoch presented the letter from Brisbane City Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner to Provost Anthea Dickson at the meeting.
Provost Dickson said: "Thank you very much Cllr Murdoch we will take that message on board. We are very grateful to receive it and we will look to see how we take this forward."
The letter from the Brisbane City Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner stated: "I send my greetings and best wishes to you via David Muir, chair of thee Clem Jones Group, who has a deep knowledge of the links forged with Largs by the former Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Clem Jones.
"Brisbane is a city brimming with opportunity and welcomes visitors from across the world to come and experience our fantastic lifestyle for themselves.
"Despite being 16,000km apart, Largs and Brisbane share foundational history through Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, the Scottish born astronomer, who left his mark across the world.
"We are pleased that the connection with Largs continues to this day.
"I hope many of you may be able to visit Brisbane, either in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games or being hosted by our city or during the Games themselves."
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