Mayor Bolam Joins Our March Meeting

During our March FSFA Committee meeting held on Tuesday evening we welcomed a special guest - Frankston Mayor Councillor Kris Bolam JP.  Members of the committee briefed the Mayor on a range of topics related to our plans for a very busy 2025. These included the SOFA and Susono Schools delegation visits from our sister city in late July/early August; our Japanese Festival to be held on Sunday 3rd August; our Japanese Speech Contest in early September; the annual Hanami Party in the Japanese Garden at Frankston High School during late October; the short-term student exchange program and online communication and student activities between the sister cities; Derinya Primary School's participation in this year's World Expo in Osaka planned for October; and the growing popularity of our Frankston Taiko Drumming Group taking Japanese music and culture to the wider Frankston community and promoting our vibrant sister city relationship!

A young Mayor Bolam led our 2011 Frankston Delegation to Susono, narrated our group's stage performance of 'The Waterhole' at the Australian Fair and participated in Susono City's 40th Anniversary Ceremony. Since that time he has been a strong supporter and advocate for the sister city relationship. At the opening of the Susono Tribute Garden in Susono Way outside the Frankston Private Hospital the Mayor spoke fondly of his experiences during that delegation visit and referred to the sister city relationship with Susono as "the jewel in Frankston's crown".

Mayor Bolam expressed a strong desire to support and be involved in this year's delegation visit and Japanese Festival as well as thanking the (voluntary) members of the FSFA committee for their hard work in promoting Frankston's sister city relationship with Susono for over 43 years!

At the conclusion of the briefing Mayor Bolam joined committee members (including those via Teams online, with Chairperson Julie D'Arcy and Yoshio Noda in Susono) for a group photo.

Mayor Kris Bolam, FSFA Committee & Guests

Chairperson Julie D'Arcy - Report from Japan #3 (28/1/2025)

It has been almost a month since I returned to Japan after holidaying in Europe. During my travels, I was able to obtain my visa to work in Japan at the Japanese Embassy in Dublin.

Since returning to Japan, life has been very busy. Thanks to the support and assistance from the Susono Overseas Friendship Association (SOFA), I was able to move into my own apartment right after returning from Europe. My two-room apartment is small but cozy, and it's a good size for Japan. It’s located on the third floor of an apartment building, so I always double-check to ensure I have everything before heading out—there’s no elevator!

I began my role with SOFA as the English Conversation teacher in early January. Conveniently, the classroom is on the second floor of my apartment building—so I have no excuses for being late to class! I truly enjoy my role and am getting to know all my students. They are so eager and enthusiastic to learn and practice English. My youngest student is currently six years old, while the oldest is close to 80!

Julie enjoying a coffee and catch up with Yoshio Noda

As much as I enjoy helping others improve their English, I’ve realized that this limits my own opportunities to practice Japanese. To address this, I’ve joined the Japanese Conversation Classes provided by SOFA. These classes have been incredibly helpful, though I still have a long way to go before achieving fluency. My goal is to communicate effectively in everyday situations, such as opening a bank account or attending a doctor’s appointment. Fortunately, I’ve had the support of SOFA members, who helped with translating during these situations. They also accompanied me to the Civic Centre and assisted me in completing the necessary documentation to register as a citizen of Susono and apply for a health card (similar to a Medicare card). I’m happy to report that I’m once again a citizen of Susono—just like I was back in 1983 when I was an exchange student.

A lot has certainly changed in Susono since I lived here in 1983. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the beautiful view of Mount Fuji. I can see it from my apartment window, and each day I check to see if it’s visible or hiding behind the clouds. It’s so majestic, and I still can’t believe I’ve climbed to the top of it.

Early morning view of Mount Fuji

Over the past month, the winter weather in Susono has been lovely. Most days, the temperature has been around 3–10 degrees Celsius with sunny blue skies, although it can get quite windy. It’s definitely coat-and-hat weather!

Since coming to Japan, I’ve done a lot of walking, as it was my primary mode of transport until recently. I would walk to the station for trains and buses, to the supermarket, and to friends’ houses. While I do enjoy walking, I soon realized that not having a car was limiting. So, I purchased a small car, which has given me the freedom to explore! I’m looking forward to visiting places I’ve never been before and taking my visitors from Australia sightseeing. Luckily, the road rules are the same as in Australia, and the Japanese also drives on the left.

Julie and her Daihatsu car

As I spend more time with my Japanese friends and students, I am continually amazed by how hard-working they are. Unlike in Australia, Japanese people don’t typically have annual leave, so the idea of going on holiday for longer than a week is difficult for them to imagine. However, many Japanese people have the option to retire at 60, and some choose to travel or volunteer their time to give back to their communities.

Stay well everyone! Until next time…

Mata Ne!!

Julie

November 2024 - First-Time Experience in Japan from Committee Member Anne

Many of our committee members travel to Japan regularly.

 

We travelled to Japan early this year. As a new FSFA committee member, and my good friend Therese, an experienced guide to Japan and FSFA member of many years, I was in the best of hands.

 

With eyes wide open, we arrived in Japan. With every day of sightseeing, I became more settled and visually thrilled with the views of the lush, uniform landscapes, the fresh, bright, delicious foods, the efficiency, the respectful traditions, the culture, and the quiet strength and politeness of the Japanese people. The amazing history but gentle atmosphere always on show seemed to fill the air everywhere we went.

 

Our gracious hosts the Nakayama family from Susono kindly welcomed us into their home and we shared so many unique experiences. 

We travelled and saw so much and a few of these highlights included:

-              Shikoku Taiko Festival

-              Mayajima Island

-              Hiroshima

-              Karashiki

-              Kyoto

-              Takayama

-              Susono

-              Tokyo