Your
committee has continued in its efforts to raise the profile of the Association
and to engender community interest in the Sister City Link.
The
delegation that attended the Australian Sister Cities Association (ASCA)
Conference in Adelaide
October
2000 was our turn to host a Japanese Fair in Frankston and it was successful
beyond our expectations in number of people attending, the range of cultural
and Japanese related business activities on display and the large delegation
from Susono. In October 2001 it is our turn to send a delegation to the
Australian Fair in Susono and I am pleased to report that it will consist of
nearly 40 delegates.
It
is most gratifying that student music groups from Karingal Park
Secondary College Frankston High School
This
year we have two exchange students Yukiko Yamasaki and Maiko Masuda from Susono
and they have both settled very well into Australian life. The only
disappointing aspect is the difficulty in obtaining families to host the
students. Your assistance in this area would be much appreciated by the
students' counsellors.
The
Japanese Speech Contest was very well supported by schools and early
indications are that it will be even better supported this year on September
7th.
My thanks go to members of the committee for their active
participation and support over the year - they really are a very enthusiastic
bunch and worthy of your support.
Finally, I wish to thank Frankston Council for their continued support and in particular
Councillor Barry Priestley who is Council representative on our committee and
Council Officer Beverley Parsons who
has provided support to FSFA in the form of minutes and other administrative
tasks and increasingly in helping to run the Association.
In
the coming year I would like to see all members of the Association become more
involved in our activities.
