AJS NL 10

February 2008
Issue 10
PO Box 2188 Cairns QLD 4870 Australia
Ph: (07) 4036 3562 / E-mail: [email protected]
AUSTRALIA JAPAN SOCIETY
IN FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND INC.
北クィーンズランド豪日協会
AJS Committee 2007- 08
NAME
MOBILE
President
Colyn Huber
0418 633 320
Vice President & Administration
Jeff Haynes
0417 756 849
Vice President & JSC Representative
Sam Sakamoto
JSC Representative
(Sachiko Kokubun)
Secretary
Edyth Morvell
Secretary Assistant & Newsletter Editor
Makoto K. Haynes
0405 144 533
Treasurer
Chizuru Takao
0407 203 520
Committee (Past President 07)
Andrew Mclean
0413 643 098
Committee
Eri Takahashi
Committee
John Morvell
Index
AJS Website: www.austjapanfed.org.au
E-mail: [email protected]
•
AJS Committee list & contacts
1
•
AJS President Message
2
•
•
Message from Cr Margaret Gill
AJS Supporter, Sim Hayward
3
•
•
AJS Supporter, Frank Lanza
Japanese Emperor's Birthday 08
4
•
•
AJS Supporter, Chris White
More pic's: Japanese Emperor’s BD
5
•
Scholarship 2007 Students profile
6
•
Elise’s Report
7
•
Nicole’s Report
•
Aussie BBQ with Osaka Asahi TV
•
AJS Treasurer, Chizuru’s holiday
•
•
JSC New Year Party
Happy News from Past President
11
•
Japanese Liaison Officer in FNQ
12
•
New Japanese & English Radio
Program (FM89.1 and SBS)
13
•
Sister Cities Ceramic Exhibition
14
•
Oyama City in Japan
15
•
•
Minami Tokushima in Japan
88 Temple Pilgrimage in Shikoku
16
•
Sponsorship for AJS Scholarship
17
8
•
Japan trip in April 2008
18
9
•
AJS Friend Application Form
19
•
Editor’s Contact Details
20
•
AJS Charter
10
Issue 10
Page 2
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
President Message… Colyn Huber
Hello everyone, and welcome to
another year of sharing between
Australia and Japan, between Cairns
and our sister cities, and between the
people who bring life to the
relationships that bind us.
This is my first year as President of the
Australia - Japan Society in Far North
Queensland (AJS), and while being
very aware that there is a lot to learn
about our history and our role in the
local and broader community, I look
forward to working closely with our
committed committee, and all those
who have consistently supported us,
to continue to serve Australia – Japan
contact, exchange and co-operation in
2008!
I would like to express my gratitude to
those who helped make 2007 a
successful year for the Society.
In particular Andrew Mclean, our Past
President, who managed to steer the
ship admirably while becoming a father
and adjusting to lots of change in his
personal life. Thank you Andrew. Also
to our Committee, Members, Volunteers, and the Cairns Community,
Thank you, let’s do it again in 2008!
I recently had the pleasure of being
invited to the Japan Society Cairns’
New Years Party, and was able to
outline some of our plans for the year.
One announcement I was very happy
to be able to make was that individual
membership to the AJS FNQ will be
free in 2008, which means that we
expect to be able to reach many more
people
through the
newsletter
and our
network of
contacts. I
invite you to
contact us via
email, and simply express your interest
in becoming a member – it is that easy!
[email protected]
In brief, I also mentioned that we will be
running Japan Week as we have done
for many years now, and the details will
be worked out over the next couple of
Committee meetings and forwarded to
all of our members. We also intend to
continue our very successful
scholarship exchange programme with
Oyama city in Japan, and I am sure we
will be hearing from Elise and Nicole
who are fresh back from last years trip.
On a general note I emphasised that
we are here to serve, so please do not
hesitate to take advantage of our team.
We are small, but dedicated, and are
very happy to help develop our
individual, political, commercial, and
particularly, cultural ties with Japan.
Thanks again to everyone who was a
part of a successful 2007,
and “2008 mo, gambarimashoo!”
Sincerely
Colyn Huber
AJS President 2007-08
Issue 10
Page 3
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
Message from Cr Margaret Gill
The Chair of the Sister Cities
Committee in Cairns, Cr. Margaret Gill,
has again assisted the Oyama City
Council in the processing of selecting
an Australian ALT (Alternative
Language Teacher) to teach English in
the schools of Oyama. The position
also involves assisting the Oyama City
Council in welcoming overseas guests
to Oyama, and being a liaison between
Oyama and Cairns. This is the fourth
year that Cr Gill has taken part in the
selection process, as an important requisite of the successful applicant is a
strong knowledge of Cairns, and a willingness to promote the relationship
between our cities.
A delegation of twelve from Oyama, led
by Yukiko Yamanaka
San, the director of
Riturinso Medical Protective
Institution of the Aged, visited Cairns in
January and inspected the Cairns Council Chambers, and were invited to Cr
Gill’s home to experience a true blue
Australian Barbeque.
Oyama and Cairns continue to foster the
sister city relationship with
reciprocal school visits and official delegations. Oyama will be participating in
the Sister Cities Ceramic Exhibition held
during Festival Cairns, and Cr Gill has
advised that Oyama Council intend
sending an official delegation for the
launch of the Exhibition
AJS Supporter - Sim Hayward
Greeting from our AJS Friend & Supporter,
Sim Hayward from Asian Foods:
'Daryl and I would like to take this opportunity
to welcome the New Year and to thank all of
our customers and friends for your past and
present support.
“Gong Xi Fa Chai!”
May the 'Year of the Rat' bring you all Good Health, Happiness and Prosperity and
the year ahead be smooth and safe sailing!'
With All Good Wishes,
Daryl and Sim Hayward, Asian Foods.
Issue 10
Page 4
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
AJS Supporter - Frank Lanza
Frank Lanza who is the Italian Vice Consular in Cairns, has a Migration Service
business, is a keen Salsa dancer and
has a beautiful Japanese wife, Akiko
(one of the biggest AJS supporters) has
been very supportive towards the 2007
AJS scholarship program in sending two
Australian year 12 students to the
Cairns, Japanese Sister City of Oyama
for some culture and language exchange. Recently Frank offered to host
another Pizza Night on Saturday 16th
February at his home as an additional
AJS fundraising and a welcome back
party for our two
Scholarship 2007
winners, Elise and
Nicole. There were
approx 80 people
and despite the
weather, the AJS
had another successful night. A big thank you to Frank
again for his generosity, food, hard work
and his cooking skills. Frank has a traditional Pizza oven (see pic) beside the
swimming pool and probably spends all
day keeping the oven to a certain temperature, to bake the pizzas. He also
kindly prepares variety of other food, entrée and desert too!! If you haven’t been
to Frank’s AJS Pizza Night before,
please come along next time with friend
or family and meet some new friends,
have delicious home made Italian pizza
and a great night!! The cost is just $15
per adult and BYO Drinks. The entry fee
is donated to the AJS Scholarship Program. Looking forward to the next one.
Japanese Emperor’s Birthday
AJS Committee members (Colyn, Jeff, Chizuru
Makoto & Andrew) were invited to attend to
Japanese Emperor’s Birthday celebration by
Japanese Consul in Cairns. We all had a wonderful evening meeting the consular from both
Cairns & Brisbane and Mayor Kevin Byrne….
We were also catching up with various friends
and others who are associated with the AJS,
keeping up the networking and good relationship between Australia - Japan.
From left: Mr. Ibara (Japanese Consular in Cairns) , Mr. Nishiyama (Japanese
Consular in Brisbane, Makoto & Jeff and Mrs. Ibara. @ Cairns International
Issue 10
Page 5
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
AJS Supporter - Chris White
Congratulations to the Australia Japan
Society on the first edition newsletter
for 2008.
The team at Migration Plus are proud to
part of the first edition and offer to all
their members a special "first edition
newsletter" discount of:
•
5% discount when booking our services if they mention the "Australia
Japan Society 2008 first edition
newsletter"
•
Free 1/2 consultation
•
Free evaluation under the Skilled
Migrant Points Test
At Migration Plus, we have a vast
knowledge of all areas of Migration
Law, from family migration and student
visas to comprehensive business visa
applications, from temporary to permanent residence. We can also assist you
in your application to become a citizen
of Australia. We can prepare a detailed
application on your behalf and our
team, can monitor
all visa applications,
ensuring that you
are notified of the
outcome of the decision from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
(DIAC).
The Principal, Chris
White has over 18
years experience in
Migration law and
has been a member of the executive of
the Migration Institute of Australia, the
Institute of Management Consultants, a
Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the
Australian Institute of Management and
a member of the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
Call Migration Plus to booking for your
initial consultation (07) 4042 6120
More photo’s from
Japanese Emperor’s
Birthday Celebration
In December 2007
@ Cairns International
Issue 10
Page 6
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
AJS 2007 Scholarship Award Winners Profile
“Elise Bryant”
Age:
Name of School:
Birthday:
Place of Birth:
Family:
Hobbies:
14
Cairns State High School
4th March 1993
Cairns, North Queensland
Father (Jeff), mother (Kate)
and younger sister (Naomi).
I like karate, reading, playing the viola,
arts and crafts, and collecting coins an stamps.
“Nicole Paige Klassmann”
Age:
Name of School:
Birthday:
Place of Birth:
Family:
Hobbies:
Left above:
Right Above:
13
Smithfield State High School
16th October 1993
Adelaide, South Australia
Father, Mother, Elder brother, Me and
Younger sister
Listening to music, singing, computer,
internet, using photo shop and Fireworks
December 07 @ Cairns Airport off to Japan
February 08 @ Frank Pizza Night - showing some photos
from Japan
Issue 10
Page 7
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
Elise Bryant’s Report
In December last year I was given the
amazing opportunity to visit Japan,
thanks to the Australia Japan Society.
Months of anticipation had all led to
this, and I could hardly believe that I
was actually sitting on the plane about
to go visit Japan.
One thing that really struck me about
Japan is how friendly everyone was. It
didn’t matter about age differences, language barriers, etcetc.. Everyone went
out of their way to chat to me and make
me feel comfortable. Our host family
were gorgeous, and were unbelievably
nice. Ms Horie and everyone at the
Oyama Daisan Chuugakkou put an incredible amount of effort into making
our stay be the very best it could be.
They even organised for a memory tree
to be planted at the school!
During our stay in Japan we got to see
some incredible sights. Disneyland and
Disney Sea were both amazing, and
sooo much fun! It was really strange to
hear Mickey Mouse talking in Japanese! We also got the wonderful opportunity to see Tokyo from the top of Tokyo Tower. We stayed up there until it
got dark so that we could see the Tokyo
lights, which was unbelievable. In Tokyo
we visited Harajuku and Shinjuku
where we wandered for the day, just
window shopping and soaking up the
atmosphere.
The differences between Japan and
Australia weren’t really obvious, other
than the different
language. The
things that were
really hard to get
used to were the
small things. It got
dark much later over there, and it was
hard to adjust to having really long days.
I also got a shock when I looked out of
the bus window and realised that the
signs printed on the road were in Japanese – it seems obvious in hindsight, but
I think that it’s just something that I wasn’t expecting to see. There are a lot of
other little things that I was surprised at
– the streets were all clean, the traffic
lights were sideways and there was often English on signs.
I’d love to go back to Japan one day –
it’s an amazing country with beautiful
sights, delicious food, great shopping,
and amazing traditions and customs, but
most importantly, it has incredible people.
Thank you and regards
From Elise
Issue 10
Page 8
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
Nicole Paige Klassmann’s Report
When I found out that I had been given
the chance to actually go to Japan after
being told that I didn't win the scholarship, I was excited beyond words.
Everything there was so different, yet I
felt at home straight away! Everyone in
Oyama was so welcoming and the city
itself wasn't too busy, so I felt
comfortable in my surroundings. For
me, school was so different in Japan.
We wore a private school type of
uniform (which we got to keep!), had a
different uniform for sports,
cleaned the classrooms before
we went home and did a form of
PE that literally had us hurting
for days! I was in class 2-5,
which was taught by Ohtakesensei. Everyone was so nice
and they even made a welcome
sign on their door for me! I
made lots of friends, of course.
My host family was the Ishizawa
family. There was Otousan
(Tooru), Okaasan (Reiko),
Ryuutarou (who lives in Tokyo -
so we didn't see
him much), Miki,
Shoutarou, Nozomi
and a dog name
Pukku (who really
scared me..) Out of
everyone in the family, I was the youngest! The whole family was so welcoming
to Elise and I, it was really nice of them
to let us stay with them over the four
weeks we spent in Japan! Okaasan
would especially worry over us because
of the cold, even though most of the time
it wasn't too cold!
My favorite part of the trip was going to
Tokyo! It was really amazing there! We
went to Harajuku, Omotesando, Ebisu,
Shinjuku, Asakusa and Odaiba. When
we drove through Shibuya (we never actually stopped), there were so many
people crossing the road at once - it was
crazy! Even if I had seen it many times
in pictures and movies, it was still amaz-
Issue 10
Page 9
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
afraid of heights. The view from the top
is breath-taking! It looked as though Tokyo wouldn't end for an eternity. A few
days later, we went to Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea, which was really
fun. Personally, I liked Disney sea better than Disneyland because the rides
are more exciting! All the rides at Disneyland are themed rides, where you
just sit in a carriage and watch a story
as you go along. The lines were really
long too (there was one where we
stood in a line for around 2 hours before we got on the ride itself!)
In short, going to Japan on a scholarship was probably the best experience
in my life! I hope I can go back sometime in the future!
From Nicole
Aussie BBQ at Esplanade – Osaka Asahi TV
On Monday the 28th of January, (the
Australia Day Public Holiday), a film
crew from Osaka Asahi TV asked the
AJS to show some of their TV stars just
how we do an Aussie BBQ, so we got a
few people, some chops and snags,
lots of onions, some bread and of
course, tomato sauce, and bunged on a
BBQ on the Esplanade!
Nicole and Elise who are our AJS exchange scholarship students and went
to Oyama City (Cairns Sister City) for 2
weeks over Christmas & New Years period of time also came down with
some of their family, Past President Andrew Mclean and I came from the AJS,
Harry from TTNQ and his family, and
we all pitched in, as one does, to pull
off what turned out top be a very tasty
meal with the TV stars, under the stars.
“Go ni ireba, Go ni shitagae” to iuttara,
we even had them eating their sausage
sandwiches and
sweet corn with
their fingers!
It was a great
chance to share
a bit of Aussie fun with our Japanese
visitors, and for Nicole and Elise to say
a personal Thank You to our friends in
Oyama via TV and hopefully our message of thanks survives the editing
process. The filming was apparently
part of a sixty minute special solely featuring Cairns, so it was a very fun way
for the AJS to promote interest in Japan
from our beautiful city of Cairns.
Issue 10
Page 10
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
AJS Treasurer, Chizuru’s Holiday
Hello my AJS friends. I share some photos taken during my holiday in late January.
Australia Open
The Edge
1. I went to Australian Open and watched the final game for
the wheelchair men’s singles. It was between Japanese
player, Shigeo Kunieda and a French player. Playing on
wheelchair seems to be a lot harder, requiring to coordinating wheelchair manoeuvre and hard hits. Shigeo swiped
both singles and doubles championships.
2. Melbourne has an exciting observation attraction called
Edge at Eureka Skydeck 88. The Edge is a glass cube
which slides out of the building. It is dazzlingly fantastic to
see Melbourne through five side of the glass cube!
3. I flew to Tasmania and stayed Burnie. Burnie is one of
idyllic towns on Tasmania’s northern coast line. You can see
Penguins coming home from the ocean in midnight. There
is Basalt Columns in town which is one of two natural rock
forms in the world. The other famous rocks locate in Devils
Causeways in Ireland. To my surprise, a developer built a
unit on top of it!!!
Burnie Coast Road
4. I also visited Stanley and a town called Penguin (a cute
name!). Stanley is a historic town where you can see so
many little cottages build in early 1800’s. Penguin is also a
little seaside town but recently become popular among urban sea
changers. You can spot many penguin features everywhere that I am
sure be the next Japanese tourist’s
hot spot!! From Chizuru
STANLEY
HISTORICAL BUILD-
Issue 10
Page 11
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
JSC New Year Party 08
President, Colyn
Huber recently
represented AJS
and joined to the
New Year Event
of Japanese Society Cairns
(JSC). It was a
very good turnout
and Colyn was
amongst two hundred members and friends gathered to
celebrate Japanese culture in Cairns.
There had been speeches from Mr Iida
san (President of JSC), Mr Ibara San
(Japanese Consular Cairns), and even
the Ms Keiko Berry, the Japanese Police Liaison Officer in FNQ was in attendance. Colyn was also invited to share
a few words on behalf of the AJS, and
very much enjoyed the opportunity to
encourage more of the JSC members
to take up the AJS offer of FREE membership in 2008. We are looking forward to working ever closer with the
JSC to support each other’s activities
and objectives.
But it wasn’t
all about
speeches
and after a
very hearty
buffet
lunch,
those who
wanted
were able
to swing a
mallet and
help with
the Japanese Rice Cake making call Mochitsuki.
Then the kids all gathered around and
were let loose, blindfolded, on the
watermelon desert for the gathering.
Finally there was the mother of all Bingo
games. By the end of proceedings,
hardly anyone escaped without some
kind of prize, and everyone left smiling
and full. It was a lot of fun, and I would
like to say Thank you to Mr Iida san, and
the JSC for the chance to be a part their
New Year celebrations.
Congratulation Michael & Alison
Fantastic and Wonderful News!!
Past AJS President (05-06) Michael Waters and Alison,
his partner recently announced their engagement and
plans to marry later this year. Palm Cove is to be the
place and watch out for more news from the happy couple who currently live in Canberra. We all wish you both
the best of everything in life!! (From Editors & the AJS)
Issue 10
Page 12
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
Newly Appointed Japanese PLO in FNQ
The Police Minister says the state’s first PLO will work
in Cairns!! - AJS Committees Jeff & Makoto were both
able to attended the ceremony for the newly appointed
“Japanese Police Liaison Officer”, Keiko Berry” on Thursday 24th January 2008 at Cairns City Council Chambers.
Makoto has known Keiko for many years through the tourism industry and when she was employed as Senior CusFrom Left: Assistant
tomer Service Officer for the Japanese Inbound Operator Commissioner Andy
JTB Cairns, Keiko was also employed with the Quicksilver
Henderson, PLO Ms
Keiko
Berry, Japanese
group as Japan Executive Sales coordinator and is now
Consular Mr Koichi Ibara
with the Queensland Police Service, Keiko’s has a new
and important role within FNQ. Japanese Consulate, Japanese Tourism Operators, Japan relate Community Groups
& Businesses, are all very pleased to have the Japanese
Speaker within the local Police. Many Japanese Tourists
and Japanese residence in Far North Queensland, will
benefit too. The AJS wish to offer sincere congratulations
to Keiko and good luck with her new direction and Career !
Keiko & Makoto
Role and Function of PLO: To establish and maintain a
positive rapport between indigenous and multicultural communities and the Queensland Police Service. The role of Police Liaison Officers is to promote trust and understanding through their
liaison role by assisting the community and police to: 1. Reduce
and prevent crime; 2. Divert people from the criminal justice system; 3. Advise and educate police officers on culture and culInspector Rob
tural issues; and Improve community knowledge of law and order
Graham & Keiko
issues and policing services.
Duties of PLO: Liaise with indigenous and multicultural communities to foster cooperation and understanding. This assists police to do their job better; Advise police
officers on the cultural beliefs, needs and protocols of the community in which they
work. This improves the service that police provide; Identify potential crime or disorder problems in the community and advise and assist in prevention strategies. This
prevents problems from occurring or getting worse; Establish and maintain communication between the community and police. This helps the police and the community to work together to prevent crime and solve problems; and improve community access to policing services and refer to other services where necessary. Police
Liaison Officers can assist you to speak with police officers and to put you in touch
with other organisations.
Issue 10
Page 13
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
New Japanese & English Radio program
New Japanese & English Radio Program
(FM89.1 and SBS) will be set on–air every Wednesday
between 6-7am. Mika Fujii , Managing Director of “Cairns
Quality of Life, Australia Pty Ltd” is now also a volunteer
presenter of this program. The Official Launch was held
on 12th February 2008. Following is the Gillian’s Speech
at the SBS Official Launch forwarded by Mika. Gillian has
been secretary for 7 yrs and 8 yrs a Board member of the
Cairns Community Broadcasters Incorporated but also
volunteering her time as one of radio program presenters
for more than 4 hours a week. Gillian has also been in
charge of FM89.1's Scottish and Irish programs.
SBS LAUNCH: GILLIAN’S SPEECH:
Cairns Community Broadcasters has agreed to administer the retransmission of the SBS Radio program, the same program which goes to air in 14
other locations in Australia. We agreed to do this
because we have the facilities, our transmission site
on Mt. Yarrabah. SBS Radio broadcasts in 67 languages other than English, with English and Aboriginal programs. Cairns FM 89.1 and SBS Radio 90.5 FM
complement each other, as 89.1 provides local content delivered by local presenters in
19 languages while 90.5 delivers content nationwide interest in many more languages.
•
June 2005
Cairns City Council pledges $20,000 over two years
•
October 2006
Granted a license to broadcast retransmissions of SBS Radio
on 90.5 FM
•
September 2007
Deed granted confirming funding through the Federal Govt.
SBS Self-Help Subsidy Fund
•
November 2007
ON AIR
I particularly want to acknowledge Niels Briet, our past President who was originally the
driving force behind the project. Had he not pursued the agreement with CCC and the
licence to broadcast from ACMA, we would never have come this far. I picked up the
project when he resigned from the Presidency in 2006 and secured the funding. Thanks
to all those who carried the torch since 2000, and the Support Group who have undertaken to provide financial support after the first 2 years. We need you. Thank you for
your help. Thank you Deevah, through all the drama and frustration – THANK YOU.
And THANK YOU Lotte and the Germania Club for hosting this wonderful event.
Gillian Mckenzie - Secretary
Cairns Community Broadcasters Incorporated ‘Cairns FM89.1 Your Community Radio’
Suite 106 Raintrees Shopping Centre (P.O Box 891 Manunda Cairns, QLD 4870)
T) 07 4053 6891 F) 07 4053 2085
Issue 10
Page 14
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
Sister Cities Ceramic Exhibition
The Cairns City Council is staging an international ceramic exhibition which will feature 10
works of pottery from six of the seven Sister
Cities of Cairns. The Exhibition is named
“Earth :Links”, which symbolizes clay (or
earth) as the medium by which our sister cities will join in this unique display. The Exhibition will be hosted by the heritage
listed, Cairns Regional Gallery, and works will be on display at the Gallery from 8th
August to 5th October, 2008. The Official Launch of the Exhibition will coincide with
Festival Cairns. Festival Cairns is a three week long Festival which brings together
many important community, cultural and sporting events, and showcases our beautiful city.
Lae, our Sister City from Papua New Guinea, have forwarded this intriguing photograph of a woman from Zumim Village, beating clay to produce Zumim Pottery. This
typifies the different cultures of our various sister cities which are participating in the
Exhibition. Riga, the capital of Latvia was first to confirm that they will be forwarding
10 pieces of original pottery, and will ensure representation by their city during the
Exhibition in Cairns. Oyama and Minami, our two Japanese sister cities, are also
enthusiastic about their cities’ participation. Oyama plans to send a delegation from
their city, which will hopefully include Mayor Okubo.
Zhanjiang, China has also indicated that an official delegation will be travelling to
Cairns for the Official Launch of the Exhibition. Sidney in British Columbia, Canada,
is also planning to join in this unique Exhibition. Unfortunately, our only sister city
which will not be taking part is Scottsdale, USA. The Mayor of Scottsdale has written to Cairns’ Mayor Byrne, advising due to the fiscal problems being experienced
by USA, Scottsdale reluctantly they will be unable to allocate the funding necessary
for participation in the Exhibition.
Works from all cities are due to arrive in Cairns by 1st June, 2008, to enable the unpacking and photographing for the production of a Catalogue which will be a lasting
souvenir or this ambitious project.
Cairns family of Sister Cities is displayed on plaques in place on the boardwalk of
the Lagoon on the Esplanade. The plaques commemorate the establishment of
Cairns Sister Cities, and promote the objectives of Sister Cities worldwide, to develop meaningful and long term links with cities in other countries, and to achieve a
greater international understanding and goodwill between the nations and people of
the world.
Cr. Margaret Gill
Issue 10
Page 15
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
Cairns Japanese Sister
City News… Oyama City
Rice planting with the Australia Embassy.
＜Harvest of rice shoots.＞
9th September 2007
Students who visited Cairns in 2006 and officials from the Australia Embassy came to Harvest the rice shoots that were planted
by those officials and Australia Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Mclean on the 12 May 07
We attempted harvesting for the first time
with the help of agricultural experts who
taught us how. The cut rice shoots were
bound hung over the bamboo pole which
can be seen behind the people in the picture above. After letting the rice shoots dry
over a few days, we separated the eats of
the rice from the stalks (this is called
“Dakkoku” in Japanese) with that, we finally got our rice. With that, we finally got
our rice . Here is Mr. Bill Withers, Minister Consular of Agriculture, going strong with
cutting down the rice shoots…
The finished product was later presented to the Australian Embassy officials. We ha
ve heard that they were quite impressed with the rice they had harvested. With that,
the “Project of exchange with the Australia Embassy that began in May was concluded. However, we believe that
the participants in these events
were not just feeling Japanese
culture and tradition while putting
in their time and labor. Along with
making the rice, we had a valuable chance to deepen our exchange with all of the participants.
We would like to express our
deepest gratitude to the Australia
Embassy, the students who visited Cairns in 2006, the agricultural experts, and everyone who
was involved in this project.
Thank you very much
Issue 10
Page 16
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
More Sister City News…
Minami Tokushima in Japan
Minami is a city located in Kaifu District
Tokushima Prefecture Shikoku Region
(Shikoku Island) in Japan. It was
founded on 31st March 2006 from the merger of the town
of Hiwasa and Yuki from the same district. As of 2006 the
town has an estimated population of 8,540. The total area
is 140.85 km².
MINAMI
The 88 temple pilgrimage in Shikoku Is.
The 88 Temple Pilgrimage is a 1,647-kilometer Buddhist
pilgrimage circuit around the island of Shikoku, Japan. The
circuit loops around the entire island of Shikoku through 88
temples plus an optional 20 "unnumbered" temples. All the
temples are said to have been founded by monk and
scholar Kūkai meaning Sky & Sea, better known by his
Henro-san. A pilgrim
posthumous title Kōbō Daishi,who among his many
braves the rain on the
achievements created the Japanese kana syllabary,
Shikoku circuit.
brought the tantric teachings of Esoteric Buddhism from
China, developed it into the uniquely Japanese Shingon sect and founded Shingon's headquarters on Mount Koya near Osaka. While most modern-day pilgrims
(an estimated 100,000 yearly) travel by bus, a minority still set out the old-fashioned
way on foot, a journey which takes about 60 days to complete. Pilgrims, known as
o-henro-san in Japanese, can be spotted in the temples and roadsides of Shikoku
clad in a white jacket emblazoned with the characters Dōgyō Ninin, meaning "two
traveling together" — the other being the spirit of Kobo Daishi. Most temples offer
basic but affordable lodging for pilgrims. Many henro-san begin and complete their
pilgrimage by visiting Mount Kōya in Wakayama Prefecture, which was settled by
Kūkai and remains the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. The 21km
pilgrim route up to the mountain still exists, but most henro-san use the train. Completing the course the traditional way on foot is a
serious undertaking that demands several months
of time. Good physical fitness and stamina is required to endure the stress of constant walking up
and down the hills of Shikoku, in the burning sun
and the pouring rain. One of the temple call Yakuoji Temple is in Minami Town situated on Mt
Iozan, and belongs to the Koya school of the
Shingon sect. The temple is dedicated to the
Medicine King Yakushi Nyorai .
Yakuoji Temple in Minami Town
Issue 10
Page 17
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
JAPAN TRIP IN APRIL 08
AJS committee members, Makoto & Jeff
Haynes are going to Japan in April which
is middle of Cherry Blossom Season. The
main purpose of this trip is to visit the two
Cairns Sister Cities in Japan (Oyama-shi
Tochigi Prefecture & Minami-cho Tokushima Prefecture) and to grow and maintain our Sister City friendships. We shall also be going to Kobe and hoping to visit
Japan - Australia Society, Kobe (Nichi Go Kyoukai) and to introduce ourselves as
representative of AJS in Cairns. We have heard that Kobe has so many members
from all ages, young to elderly, who are very keen to have and keep relationships
with Australia very active… We are looking forward to meeting them to build some
new friendship for AJS and ourselves. Should anyone want to still join us visiting
the Sister Cities, we have published some Itinerary details below.
Jeff & Makoto / AJS Official Visit Itinerary:
Nagoya to Tokushima by Flight ANA1815
Monday 7th April
Tokushima to Minami by Minami Council arrangement
Stay 2 nights at “Shiroi Toudai”
Wednesday 9th April Minami to Tokushima by Minami Council Arrangement
Tokushima to Nagoya by Flight ANA 1816
Travel to Kobe by train.
Stay 1 night at the “Kobe Crown Hotel”
Tuesday 15th April
Tokyo to Oyama by Train
Meet Oyama Council at Rail Station
Stay 2 nights at “Excel Inn Oyama”
Oyama to Nagoya by train around late morning.
OYAMA-SHI
CHERRY BLOSSOME
MINAMI
SEA TULTLE
KOBE
NIGHT VIEW
Issue 10
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
Page 18
Sponsorship for AJS Scholarship
Please complete your details and return to us together with a cheque or internet
banking confirmation your donation for our scholarship program!!
AJS SPONSOR’S DETAIL
Name (s)
Company Name:
(If Corporate)
(Business Sponsorship is from $100)
Mailing Address
Telephone
Facsimile
Mobile
Email
PO Box 2188 Cairns Q 4870
E-mail: [email protected]
ABN: 17 250 599 229
BSB : 043 167 (Westpac Bank)
A/C : 132289
A/C Name: Australia Japan Society in Far North Queensland
Payment Method
Sorry we are unable to accept Cash or Credit Card payments.
Issue 10
Australia Japan society
in Far North Queensland inc.
Page 19
1st July 2008 - 30th June 2009
AJS FRIENDS APPLICATION FORM
AJS FRIENDS DETAIL (Free membership!!)
Name (1)
Mailing Address
Telephone
Mobile
Email
Name (2)
Mailing Address
Telephone
Mobile
Email
Name (3)
Mailing Address
Telephone
Mobile
Email
Name (4)
Mailing Address
Telephone
Mobile
Email
Please EMAIL the above details to [email protected]
or Complete the FORM and POST to PO Box 2188 Cairns Q 4870
◆
Are you happy to receive AJS information via email?
YES
NO
AJS CHARTER
◆
◆
◆
◆
The Australia-Japan Society in FNQ Inc. is a
non political, non profit organization and has
ing to see it in
the following objectives:
real life. The
best part was
◆ To foster mutual understanding between
when we
the peoples of Australia and Japan.
went to Tokyo
Tower, even
◆ To promote in Australia an interest in
though I'm
Japanese social, cultural and economic
matters.
To promote the educational exchange between Australia &
Japanese students.
To encourage interest in Australia by Japanese people.
To provide facilities and opportunities for contact and communication between Australian and Japanese,
its people and businesses.
To actively seek and cooperate with other organizations in Australia and Japan with similar
goals.
Hello Everyone! - We welcome contributions to this
publications by email to:
or
[email protected]
[email protected]
Thank you AJS Editors Jeff & Makoto