Susono Friendship Garden Opening Ceremony

The Susono Friendship Garden, located in Susono Way opposite the Frankston Private Hospital, was officially opened in a small ceremony on Tuesday 13 August 2019. Attending the ceremony were Frankston Mayor Councillor Michael O'Reilly, Vice Consul-General of Japan Mr. Shota Tohara, former Managing Director of Yazaki/Australian Arrow Mr. Craig O'Donohue, FSFA Chairperson Mr. Peter Patterson, past and present FSFA Executive Committee members, former Yazaki employees and students and teachers from Derinya Primary School and the Susono Schools delegation.

The Official Party and students from Derinya and Susono before the Opening Ceremony

The garden was constructed with great support from both Frankston City Council and Yazaki, who were the original catalyst in the Frankston-Susono sister city relationship established in 1982. Susono is the world headquarters for Yazaki and its Oceania operations opened in Hartnett Drive, Seaford in 1973 and was a major employer and contributor in the Frankston municipality until 2017. Yazaki was the largest producer of wire harnesses for automobiles in the world and considered a world leader in the industry.

Peter Patterson, Shota Tohara, Michael O'Reilly and Craig O'Donohue

The Opening Ceremony commenced with FSFA Chairperson Peter Patterson welcoming everyone, outlining the important relationship between Yazaki and FSFA over many years, and giving a brief history of the Friendship Garden along with future plans to develop the space. Craig O'Donohue then spoke about the Yazaki/Australian Arrow's relationship with and contribution to the Frankston community over the 44 years the company operated. Vice Consul-General Shota Tohara expressed his gratitude to all parties for their work in promoting the strong bonds of friendship that exist between our countries and sister cities. Mayor Michael O'Reilly reiterated many of the themes of the previous speakers, expressing his appreciation on behalf of the Council and citizens of Frankston, and was very pleased to inform his audience that he was 3 years old when the sister city relationship began!

Jarvis P, Shota Tohara, Michael O'Reilly, Peter Patterson, Craig O'Donohue and Tenka N

After the speeches were delivered a plaque was unveiled by Derinya student Jarvis P and Susono student Tenka N (whose father works for Yazaki in Susono!) which acknowledges Yazaki/Australian Arrow's 44 year involvement and contribution to the fabric of Frankston and the surrounding area. This includes providing employment to many Frankston families, actively promoting Japan within the local community, sponsoring the Frankston Sea Festival and numerous community based events, maintaining a bridge of friendship with the citizens of Susono, and making a major donation to the Frankston Hospital maternity ward.

The ceremony concluded with another group photo taken in front of the plaque followed by morning tea.

For those who were unable to attend the Opening Ceremony you are encouraged to visit the Susono Friendship Garden located in Susono Way to view the stone-lined pathway, white blossom cherry trees and commemorative plaque. Future works will include an extension of the pathway along Susono Way and installation of Japanese styled lanterns. We also look forward to the cherry blossom viewing (hanami) during October every year!

Frankston Susono Friendship Association - Bulletin No. 6

Frankston Susono Friendship Association

Bulletin No. 6

August 2019

Dear Members (Friends of FSFA),

Welcome old friends and new found friends to the FSFA monthly bulletin. It is a snapshot of our happenings and interesting things about Japan.

Don’t forget you are most welcome to attend our monthly FSFA Executive Committee meetings. They are held at 6.30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month. The location is the Acacia Room in the Frankston Council Offices. Enter off Young Street.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Frankston Susono Friendship Association will be held on Tuesday 3 September 2019 at 6.30 p.m. The location is the Acacia Room in the Frankston Council Offices. Enter off Young Street. Everyone is most welcome.

Please click HERE for your copy of the Annual General Meeting Agenda, and HERE for a FSFA Executive Committee Nomination Form if you are keen to be more actively involved in the Association.

Susono Friendship Garden

The Susono Friendship or Tribute Garden will be officially opened on Tuesday 13 August at 10.15 a.m.

A commemorative plaque will be unveiled at the event. The plaque will detail the sister city relationship and the contribution of the Yazaki company to the fabric of Frankston and to bringing Frankston and Susono together.

Everyone is most welcome to attend the event. The garden is located in Susono Way, Frankston adjacent to the Frankston Private Hospital.

This site is one of the gateways to the City of Frankston. A feature of the garden is a row of beautiful cherry blossom trees.

Virtual Reality (VR)

CNN recently posted a story about the use of Virtual Reality Technology in Aged Care facilities in Japan. It gave their older folk the capability to “travel” to all parts of the world.

Last year FSFA were ground breakers with Virtual Reality when it was showcased at the Australian Fair in Susono. We brought Frankston to the citizens of Susono through a short 360 degree video and VR goggles.

That video can be downloaded off our website www.frankston-susono.com

Feedback

We welcome your thoughts on the Bulletin and things we could include, etc. We all share a passion for Japan, its culture and traditions. This is one way we are using to share and spread the love.

Thank You and we look forward to keeping in touch.

Peter Patterson

On behalf of the Frankston Susono Friendship Association

Famous Japanese Art Collective Is Returning to Melbourne - And It's FREE!!

The famous Japanese art collective, known for its large-scale futuristic artworks, is returning to Melbourne.

Japanese art collective teamLab will be back in Melbourne for the first time since its digital phosphorescent whirlpool made waves at NGV’s Triennial in 2017.

Reversible Rotation                      Photography: Courtesy of MIAF

You might remember the playful room of projections, in which artists used light to simulate ocean currents. The Australian premiere of teamLab’s latest work will be at Tolarno Galleries [Level 4  104 Exhibition Street, Melbourne] as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival (formerly Melbourne Festival), which runs from October 2 to 20.

Resonating Trees in the Ravine   Photography: Courtesy of teamLab

The new exhibition will encompass four abstract digital works exploring movement, calligraphy and the ocean.

Spiral of Resonating Lamps in the Forest                                                                                               Photography: Courtesy of teamLab

The Tokyo-based collective is comprised of mathematicians, architects, animators, engineers and more, and is known for its large-scale futuristic works that use cutting-edge technology but still evoke the beauty of the natural world.

Moving Creates Vortices and Vortices Create Movement                                                                       Photography: Courtesy of the NGV

More information here.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.