Thursday 24 October 2024

Report 1 from FSFA Chairperson Julie D'Arcy in Susono


It’s been three weeks now since I arrived in Japan to embark on my adventure of living and working as an English teacher. Since my arrival, many Japanese people have asked me, “Why did you want to come to Japan and live here?” I’m sure they expect me to say it’s because I like sushi and want to ride the bullet train!

However, after explaining that I was fortunate to represent Frankston as one of the first exchange students to live in Susono (Frankston’s sister city) way back in 1983, and that I have returned numerous times on holiday to visit friends and my host family in Susono, they seem to understand. I tell them I decided to follow my dream of returning to Japan to experience the Japanese lifestyle once again while also improving my Japanese. As the current Chairperson of the Frankston Susono Friendship Association (FSFA), I also hope to continue strengthening Frankston’s relationship with Susono, which has been our sister city for nearly 43 years.

Since arriving, I’ve helped at SOFA’s International Fair, held in Susono on Sunday 6th October, by reading stories in English to children. A delegation of teachers and students from Derinya Primary School (in Frankston) was also in Susono at the same time, enjoying a homestay experience with Japanese families. The Derinya delegation also participated in the International Fair and served as wonderful ambassadors for both Derinya and Frankston.

Julie reading English stories at the SOFA International Fair

Over the past three weeks, I enjoyed staying with my host family from 42 years ago. I spent time with my host parents, reminiscing about our time together over the years and chatting about our families. I also visited my host sisters in Yokohama and made more happy memories with them and their families.

Eiko and Julie - host sisters enjoying time together again!

However, the main aim of this trip was to work and experience life in Japan as a local. So, I have left my lovely host family’s home and moved into a small apartment. It is warm, cozy, and, of course, smaller than homes in Australia, but it has everything I need. I miss the delicious meals my host family prepared for me, but I’m enjoying frequent trips to the supermarket to explore new and yummy Japanese foods. Food in Japan is varied and, compared to Australia, relatively inexpensive. Japanese housewives do an amazing job preparing a wide variety of meals, even though most kitchens here are small and often lack ovens—just stovetops and microwave/convection ovens!

Sushi train!

Although I came to Japan with an international driver’s license, I haven’t needed to use it yet. I’ve been getting around by public transport or by bicycle! Yes, my apartment even came with a bicycle. I must admit it took me a few days to get used to riding on the roads here. The streets are quite narrow, and there are far more cars on the road now than I remember!

I haven’t been able to start my teaching role yet, as I am still waiting for my work visa to be approved. In the meantime, I’ve been making new friends—both young and old—and helping them improve their English. Earlier this week, I was walking along a small street in Susono, on my way to the train station, when a kind elderly Japanese lady stopped me and asked where I was from. After a short conversation (all in Japanese—I’m proud to say!), she invited me into her home for coffee. Her name is Atsuko, and she is a retired teacher. I used to walk past Atsuko’s house every day on my way to and from school when I attended Susono High School in 1983. Atsuko and I plan to meet again soon to continue our friendship, as she is very interested in the great work FSFA and SOFA are doing together.

With Kina sensei who visited Frankston with the Susono Schools Delegation in August 2024

Last night, I was invited to dinner at another new friend’s home in Susono. I enjoyed a delicious meal with Sayaka, her husband, and their two little girls. The highlight for me was spending time with Sayaka’s daughters—reading, talking, and helping them with their English. I met Sayaka through SOFA, and I’m sure our friendship will continue to grow.

During the past three weeks, I’ve also reconnected with other SOFA members and people from past delegations to Frankston, which has been wonderful.

With host sister Megumi reminiscing over a drink while doing Japanese sewing

Each morning, I wake up and check the weather to see if I can spot Mount Fuji. Unfortunately, it’s been very cloudy, humid, and rainy since my arrival, so I’ve only managed to see Fuji-san a few times so far. But who knows—maybe I’ll see it today!

Until next time…
Mata ne!

Julie





Saturday 12 October 2024

Japanese Garden Working Bee - October 2024

With our Hanami Party just one week away we held a Japanese Garden working bee to prepare the garden for next Sunday's gathering at Frankston High School's Senior Campus.

Not quite the numbers we had hoped for but a huge thanks to Peter, John and Nicole who came along to help with a variety of tasks in the garden. The first was to remove the protective netting from the tree favored by the local possums, with the upper leaves now growing through the netting and affecting the tree's growth.

We then removed a dead tree located near the shishi odoshi (deer/wild boar clapper) at the back of the garden.

Peter then set about cutting and spraying the unwanted bamboo shoots while John helped me with pruning and trimming the many shrubs and trees in the garden - predominantly azaleas, but also camellias and plums.

Nicole did a fantastic job of removing the many dead flowers from the different varieties of azalea bushes.

Other tasks included removing the fallen bamboo leaves from the Foot Street end of the garden; repairing the shishi odoshi; raking, blowing and removing the cuttings and ever-present gum leaves; cleaning the cobwebs from the classroom windows; and finishing with pressure washing the brick work adjacent to the rooms.

And a final water and it was time to take a few snaps.

Thanks to Therese who arrived with a delicious morning tea - sorry Nicole, it was about 5 minutes after you had to leave. Many thanks to John, Peter and Nicole for giving up a few hours of your Sunday morning to come along and help tidy the garden!




Wednesday 9 October 2024

2023-24 FSFA Chairperson's Report

The Frankston Susono Friendship Association (FSFA) Committee have had another very busy year promoting Japanese culture within the community and ensuring the bond with our sister-city, Susono continues to flourish.

Frankston has maintained its sister-city relationship with Susono for more than 42 years because of the hard work and dedication from past and present committee members from both Frankston and Susono. I would like to thank all the current committee members for the hard work they have put in over the past twelve months. This group of dedicated people have continued to work together to provide engaging Japanese cultural activities for our community. The committee held a special dinner at a local Japanese restaurant in February to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Frankston’s sister city relationship with Susono.

The committee members have continued to maintain regular contact with our friends in Susono on the Susono Overseas Friendship Association (SOFA) via ZOOM meetings every 3 months. As a result of these ZOOM meetings between the two sister cities, the two organisations have been able to plan activities together, discuss agenda items and make decisions together as sister cities, all of which has had a positive outcome for both organisations. Both FSFA and SOFA also enjoyed celebrating Christmas and New Year’s together over ZOOM which is wonderful to see. Many thanks to those committee members for organising these ZOOM meetings and making them happen.

Our committee members can now communicate with each other via WhatsApp as well as email and phone. The addition of WhatsApp has strengthened the communication between FSFA members, ensuring inclusiveness and ensuring even better outcomes when planning and confirming events.

The committee have continued to support Derinya Primary School with the annual student cultural exchange program. In August, Derinya welcomed nine students and two chaperones from Susono and on October 1st, 2024, 16 children and 4 teachers will be visiting Susono. Both delegations have homestays for a week which provides them with an insight into a different culture, as well as making new, life-long friendships.

In September, FSFA held their annual speech contest where students from local primary and secondary schools had an opportunity to showcase their Japanese language skills. Historically, this event has been well attended and therefore will remain on FSFA’s annual calendar. A special thank you to our panel of judges for assisting at this year’s contest; the teachers for their hours of hard work preparing their students; and the parents and families for their attendance, encouragement and support. Finally, our appreciation to Monash Peninsula Campus for making such a wonderful venue available to our Association.

In 2023 our FSFA committee introduced taiko (Japanese drumming) to the community. Taiko drums were made from plastic rubbish bins for members of FSFA and the community to learn on. In 2024 the numbers of participants have increased as has the commitment and enthusiasm of the participants. FSFA decided to purchase and hire taiko drums for the participants to use which has been a great success. The taiko group have held “Come ‘N’ Try” days at Ballam Park and also at Frankston Bunnings. Both events were well received and as an outcome, attracted new members into the group. The taiko group meet at Frankston High School twice each month. Once for a lesson given by Toshi Sakamoto, a professional taiko drummer, and the other for a practice session. The members of the taiko group plan to continue to raise funds to purchase additional taiko drums by holding a sausage sizzle at Bunnings in early November.

FSFA plans to continue to support the taiko classes as it provides another platform for our community to learn about Japanese culture. The taiko group will be performing at the Bunnings Family Christmas Night and Cruden Farm’s Christmas Market in December. The group will also be encouraged to perform at our next Japanese Festival scheduled for August 2025.

FSFA would like to thank Frankston High School for their support by allowing the taiko group to meet at the school, as well as supporting FSFA with other events held on-site at the school such as our Hanami Party in late October and gatherings of FSFA members and friends.

Frankston High School is also home to the Japanese Garden which was planted many years back by FSFA. The garden is very beautiful, showcasing Japanese gardens throughout all the seasons. A huge thank you to Vice-Chairperson Simon Hast for his leadership in maintaining the garden to such a high standard, and many thanks to the committee members for all their hard work in assisting with the working bees throughout the year. This year we also took the opportunity to invite our taiko students to participate in the working bees that were scheduled prior to the taiko sessions. The students enjoyed assisting with the working bee and gaining an appreciation of another aspect of Japanese culture through the garden. Together, with Simon’s leadership, the garden continues to thrive and look wonderful.

The FSFA committee continue to give up their time and work together to ensure Frankston and Susono’s sister city relationship continues. A special thanks to Bev Hannan for continuing to do such a fantastic job as Treasurer. Bev has been on our committee for 39 years and is a valued member of our team.

All the committee members have continued to share their passion and be involved with various activities. In February, Committee members Ann-Maree Reeve and Peter Bargholz represented FSFA at a party to celebrate the Japanese Emperor’s birthday, held at Consul-General Shimada’s home in Toorak. The Acting Mayor of Frankston, Cr. Liam Hughes, was also present at this special event.

Our FSFA committee members are always looking for new opportunities to promote Japanese culture and Susono within the community. Recently, FSFA committee members ran a very successful taiko workshop for Frankston Council’s school holiday program. The feedback from both the FSFA committee members and participants attending was very positive, which is great news. Our committee members also enjoy liaising with other organisations promoting Japanese culture, and in May committee members participated in the Box Hill Japanese Festival where they promoted our sister city relationship with Susono. The booth was well attended with much interest shown in both FSFA and Susono.

FSFA was honoured to welcome Consul-General Shimada and Mrs. Shimada, former FSFA Chairperson Peter Patterson and his special guests, and FSFA Life Members to our September committee meeting. This was a very special meeting as the Consul-General presented Peter Patterson with a Japanese Foreign Ministry Commendation Award for his many years of service as FSFA Chairperson and for promoting Japanese culture within the community. FSFA thanked Peter for his hard work and leadership whist he was Chairperson, which ensured the relationship between FSFA and SOFA flourished.

The FSFA committee members presented a slide show outlining our history, past achievements, present activities, and goals for the future. The evening was a success thanks to the FSFA committee’s hard work in preparing for the evening and Frankston City Council’s support with catering which was enjoyed by all. Consul-General Shimada and his wife were presented with gifts and honorary FSFA membership certificates. They both provided positive feedback on all the work FSFA does in promoting Japanese culture within our community and FSFA was commended for maintaining such a long-term relationship with Susono.

As the Chairperson of FSFA, I am very proud of all our committee members and the wonderful work they have been able to achieve together over the past year. I thank you for giving up your time and sharing your expertise with the team. Our team maybe small in numbers, but huge in resources.

Sadly, I inform you that David and Anita Cross have decided to step down from the FSFA Committee as of October 2024. David and Anita have been very active members over the years they have been committee members, and we are very grateful for everything they have done. We wish them both well for their future endeavours and will miss their company and support.

On behalf of the FSFA Committee I would like to thank Frankston City Council for their on-going support, especially Karen Colquhoun. Karen is instrumental in ensuring our FSFA committee meetings run smoothly and liaises on the behalf of FSFA with other members of Council.

The coming year looks to be another busy one for the FSFA Committee with plans to host a delegation from Susono in August to coincide with a Japanese Festival. Plans and discussions are already in motion for how we can also assist with supporting a delegation to perform at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka next year!

I am relocating to Japan later this week to assist with teaching English to our friends in Susono for a year. SOFA is assisting with a visa so as I can return to Susono and continue to build on the wonderful connections that we have all worked so hard to achieve! (Mine commencing in 1983 as one of the first exchange students to represent Frankston in Susono).

A huge thank you to Vice Chairperson Simon Hast for being such a support to myself and the entire team. Simon’s knowledge and overview of both Frankston and Susono is amazing. He is currently working on updating the history of our sister city relationship with Susono. Thank you to Therese Sakamoto for always being on stand-by for interpreting when required with our friends in Susono. Therese ensures that we can communicate with the SOFA committee members effectively, and that nothing gets lost in translation!

Thank you to the Bargholz family (Ann-Maree, Peter and Grace), new members of FSFA committee who have welcomed the committee into their home to celebrate special occasions, including our Christmas party and ZOOM session with our friends in SOFA.

And thanks to our other committee members – Vic Webster, Jorden Lancaster, Anne Grant, Nicole Mahl and Frankston High School’s representative Cameron Heyes. You are all amazing and your passion for Japan is infectious, which is why FSFA is so successful! Keep up the great work. I look forward to 2025 to see what more we can achieve together to share Japanese culture and promote our sister city relationship with Susono.

 

Julie D’Arcy

Chairperson

Frankston Susono Friendship Association Inc.