Remarks by Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima on the occasion of the Melbourne-Osaka Double Handed Yacht Race Reception on 14 March 2013
Councillor Kevin Louey of Melbourne City Council,
Members of Sandringham Yacht Club,
Members of Osaka Hokko Yacht Club,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
While I had been requested to propose a toast, as I have just been asked to “address” you, allow me a short statement.
With respect to Melbourne’s world’s most liveable status, I have repeatedly argued on various occasions that there should be contributions of the Japanese companies and the Japanese residents with the Australians here to this liveability that is the world’s best, economically and culturally, among other aspects, in this multicultural society.
Australia has 117 sister-state/sister-city/sister-port arrangements with Japan, the largest for Australia, larger than Australia’s such arrangements with any other country.
Victoria contributes 21, including the sister-city and sister-port relations between Melbourne and Osaka.
Tonight we celebrate particularly the sister-port relationship between Osaka and Melbourne, which is a basis for the yacht race to commence.
Between the sister cities of Melbourne and Osaka, I would like to draw your attention to the fact, while this is very familiar to the members of the Melbourne City Council, that the winner of the English language speech contest in Osaka comes to Melbourne and the winner of Japanese language speech context in Victoria goes to Osaka, every year.
On the occasion of the resumption of the Melbourne-Osaka Double Handed Yacht Race, I would like to congratulate both ports and cities of Osaka and Melbourne.
Having said this, as requested, I would like to propose a toast to the safe journey of the participants of the yacht race.
Safe journey!
Thank you.