From Friday the 19th to Sunday 21st January, the Frankston-Susono Friendship Society celebrated its 25th Anniversary of its sister city relationship. Not only was this a special weekend due to the 25th anniversary celebrations, but also as a delegation of 23 from Susono (Japan), headed by the Mayor Dr. Ohashi, visited Frankston to take part in the celebrations.
|
| Children playing at the Frankston Sea Festival
|
The group arrived in Melbourne on Friday morning and brought with them some wonderful rain that Melbourne needed. Straight from the airport they visited Australia Arrow and enjoyed a tour of the office and factory as well as a traditional Australian morning tea.
From Australian Arrow they visited Frankston High school and revisited the Japanese garden while enjoying lunch with many students. In the afternoon many of the delegation were introduced to their host families and went home to have some rest before the evening activities.
|
| Enjoying the music
|
25th Anniversary Dinner
Friday evening marked the celebration dinner of the 25th anniversary of the Frankston-Susono Friendship Society. Over 70 people attended the dinner hosted by the Frankston Council at the Frankston International. The evening saw Dr. Ohashi making a wonderful speech, as well as speeches by Mayor Aitken, FSFA President Peter Patterson, SOFA Chairperson Mr. Iizuka, Mr. Iwata from the Japanese Consulate Melbourne and Mr. Kan Ito from Australian Arrow.
|
| Country Dancing at the Frankston Sea Festival
|
During the evening Australia Arrow received a lifetime membership from the Frankston-Susono Friendship Association. Managing Director Kan Ito presented FSFA with a gift of a Japanese happi from Yazaki Corporation in celebration of the 25th Anniversary. All the delegation enjoyed Australian cuisine and the entertainment of a bush band and members of the Frankston High school band that visited Susono to play at Aichi Expo in 2005. Many enjoyed dancing and singing with new and old friends alike.
Frankston Sea Festival
Australia Arrow was the major sponsor for the Frankston Sea Festival for the 4th year running. Every year the event gets bigger and bigger with this year being a special occasion. From early in the morning members of the Susono delegation, friends of FSFA and Australian arrow staff prepared two wonderful displays for all to enjoy. Throughout the day both tents were always busy with many visitors wanting to try and make something out of recycled items or try some new Japanese sweets or games.
|
| Awa-Odori Band
|
SOFA also brought with them a group of drummers that entertained the crowds with their Awa-Odori - traditional Japanese festival dancing. The Awa-Odori dancing troop was from the Toyota Motors� Awa-Odori dancing club. The sound of the drums and Japanese flute had a big crowd enjoying and trying Awa-Odori themselves.
Farewell Dinner
After a busy weekend at the Frankston Sea festival it came time to say goodbye to all our old and new friends. Australia Arrow was happy to sponsor a farewell dinner for the Susono delegation. Dr. Ohashi once again made a wonderful speech resulting in a standing ovation. With words from Managing Director Kan to, FSFA President Peter Patterson and SOFA Chairperson Mr. Iizuka, it was a good time for all to reflect on the busy activities of the last 3 days. Once the formalities were over, members of the Susono delegation, their host families and friends in Australian Arrow enjoyed an Australian BBQ feast finishing with dessert including the famous Australia pavlova.
|
| Gift for the Frankston-Susono Friendship Society
|
The group was lucky enough to be entertained by the Country 'n Blues sounds of George Kamikawa. The group enjoyed the music with everyone getting up to have a dance with their new friends. After enjoying the music it was time for our Japanese friends to teach us their Bon Odori. Like any farewell, no one wanted it to end, but in traditional Japanese style it ended with a "san bon jime" - a Japanese clapping ritual done to honour the closure of an event.
|
| AAPL Recycling Tent at the Frankston Sea Festival
|
A wonderful time was had by all, and as mentioned by Mayor Dr. Ohashi, the three day visit gave us a chance to confirm our relationship "face to face" and look forward to future of the Frankston and Susono sister city relationship.
