Perth, Australia
Houston’s Sister City Down Under
A partnership celebrating commerce, education, and culture since 1984
Houston’s Sister City Down Under
Perth, Australia (1984)
Perth and Houston formally became sister cities in 1984, Â but their ties can be trace back to the World War II Â Battle of the Sunda Strait where the USS Houston and HMAS Perth fought side by side. The bond continued to be strengthened over the years connecting two major port cities with strong synergies between their energy and educational sectors. The partnership was established to promote international understanding, business collaboration, and cultural exchange.
Key Areas of Collaboration:
- Cultural Programming: National celebrations, exhibitions and performances celebrate Australian culture.
- Education & Youth Programs: Academic collaborations foster learning and global awareness.
- Business & Trade: Diplomatic and Trade delegations, and opportunities for collaboration in energy, commerce, life sciences, defense and innovation strengthen economic ties and partnerships.
- Community Engagement: Volunteer committees and celebration of cultural events within the community encourage citizen diplomacy and mutual learning
Notable Achievements:
- City of Perth turned on their house lights in 1962 allowing US astronaut John Glenn to view the city from orbit.
- Hosting Perth delegations in Houston for trade and cultural events.
- Collaborative initiatives in business, energy, defense, life sciences and community development.Â
Impact & Community Engagement:
Perth strengthens Houston’s connection to Oceania, offering residents cultural, educational, and professional opportunities while fostering a global perspective and citizen engagement.Â
Get Involved:
- Join and volunteer on a committee with the Australian American Chamber of Commerce Texas (of which Houston-Perth Sister Cities Association is part of).
- Attend cultural events and programs featuring Australian arts.
- Join business or civid initiatives linking Houston and Perth.Â
Houston’s Sister City Down Under
Amy Conacher
Amy Conacher serves as Executive Director of the Australian American Chamber of Commerce Texas (AACC) and President of the Houston-Perth Sister Cities Association, a committee operating under the AACC umbrella.
American by birth, Amy has a lifelong personal and professional connection to Australia. She spent more than twenty years living overseas in Jakarta and Perth as part of an oil and gas family, gaining firsthand insight into Australia’s business environment, workforce culture, and global outlook. She relocated to Houston in 1997, bringing with her a deep understanding of the shared synergies between Western Australia and Texas – particularly in energy, resources, infrastructure, and international trade.
In her role at the AACC, Amy works closely with senior executives, government representatives, investors, and entrepreneurs navigating cross-border opportunities between Australia and the United States. She also engages the Australian-Texan community by developing and delivering strong bilateral programming that fosters meaningful connections and long-term relationships.
Amy is particularly focused on strengthening Houston’s long-standing sister-city relationship with Perth by advancing practical, business – and people – led collaborations. Through the AACC and HPSCA’s programming, delegations, and signature events, she plays a convening role that brings together city leadership, industry, academia, and the Australian diplomatic and trade ecosystem. She is passionate about helping organizations build partnerships in both the U.S. and Australia, and elevating awareness of the Houston-Perth relationship through people-to-people diplomacy.
Notable Achievements / Stories:
- Hosting Perth delegations in Houston for trade and cultural events.
- Student exchange programs connecting Houston and Perth schools and universities.
- Collaborative initiatives in business, energy, and community development.
Impact & Community Engagement:
Perth strengthens Houston’s connection to Oceania, offering residents cultural, educational, and professional opportunities while fostering a global perspective and citizen engagement.
