Event Reports

2021/12/16
日本語

2021 Event Reports

Conferral Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr Murray Sayers

On Friday 3 December 2021, Consul-General Shimada presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr Murray Sayers for his significant contribution to the promotion of Japanese culture and the strengthening of friendly relations between Australia and Japan. Mr Sayers was joined by family and friends for a reception followed by a dinner at the official residence.
 
Consul-General's Speech Presenting the Certificate
Group Photo 1 Group Photo 2

JET Programme Returnees Welcome Reception

On Wednesday 1 December, Consul-General Shimada hosted a reception at his residence to welcome the JET Programme participants who came back from Japan in the last two years as well as those who are departing early next year. Mr Bruce Atkinson MP, member of the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Japan was present and Mr Josh Bull MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Youth, sent a written message. Other guests included representatives from the CLAIR Sydney, Japanese lecturers/teachers, former JET Programme participants, and business representatives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne.
 
Consul-General Shimada's speech Mr Bruce Atkinson's speech
Group Photo with the JET Programme Participants  

Ceremony to Present the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Ms Anne De Kretser

On Tuesday 30 November, Consul-General Shimada hosted a ceremony at his residence to award Ms Anne De Kretser, Director of the Monash Japanese Language Education Centre, with the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation for her significant contribution in promoting Japanese language education in Australia.
Ms De Kretser was presented with a certificate of commendation and an accompanied gift. Ms De Kretser was joined by her family members and close friends at the ceremony, and in her speech thanked to them and the Japan Foundation in Sydney for their long-term and continued support to her. Congratulations!
 

Planting Ceremonies of the Golden Wattle Seeds Returned from Space

On Thursday 18 November, golden wattle seed planting ceremonies were held at Caulfield Primary School and Frankston High School, respectively. Consul-General Shimada along with representatives from the Australian Space Agency (ASA), Victorian Department of Education and Training, and One Giant Leap Australia Foundation attended the ceremonies.
 
The wattle seeds that were originally collected in Victoria, were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Asian Herb in Space Project, run by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The seeds were in Kibō, a Japanese science module in the ISS developed by JAXA, for 6 months from December 2020 before it was recently returned to Australia. Planting these wattle seeds will provide an opportunity to explore space biology at schools, and promote STEM education around Australia. The program was made possible by a Japan-Australia collaboration between JAXA and ASA, and is operated by One Giant Leap Australia Foundation entrusted by ASA.
To celebrate the flourishing Japan-Australia relationship, the Consulate-General of Japan in Melbourne invited schools with connections with Japan to participate in the program. Having a long-term strong relationship with Japan, both Caulfield Primary School and Frankston High School applied for the program and were successfully selected to join the program.   
 
At the ceremonies, video messages from NOGUCHI Soichi, an astronaut from JAXA, were presented to both of the schools. Mr NOGUCHI was involved in the Asian Herb in Space Project at the ISS.　　　　 

The Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria

On Sunday 5 September, the Japanese Language Speech Contest in Victoria was held online. Consul-General Shimada delivered online messages for both the morning session and the afternoon session. The four divisions of the contest were High School Senior Division, Background Speaker Division, Open Beginner Division, and Open Division. Winners of each divisions can be found from here.
 
Speech Contest Title Page Consul-General Shimada's Video Message

Hiroshima Peace Day Service

On Sunday 8 August, Consul-General Shimada delivered an online Message of Peace for the annual Hiroshima Peace Day service, organised by St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne. The service was held online due to the pandemic.
In his Message, Consul-General Shimada extended his condolences and sympathy to those who have been and continue to be affected. He also expressed the importance of hope, dreams, and courage as we pass down the importance of eternal peace to the younger generations.
The livestream of Hiroshima Peace Day service can be accessed from here and the speech transcript can be found from here.
Hiroshima Peace Day video message

Boite Music Concert Celebrating 50 Years of Matsudo-Whitehorse Sister Cities

On Saturday 8 May, Consul-General Shimada attended the annual concert organised by The Boite World Music. This concert is held as part of Matsudo Week every year, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Matsudo-Whitehorse sister city relationship, the longest sister city relationship in Victoria.
The concert featured a collaboration between the koto (Japanese instrument), the sitar (Indian plucked stringed instrument) and the tabla (Indian twin hand drums). A Japanese ink art painting was also displayed at the venue.

Kodomo no Hi Japanese Festival in Adelaide

On Sunday 2 May, Consul-General Shimada attended the annual Kodomo no Hi Japanese Festival in Adelaide organised by the Japan Australia Friendship Association. The festival was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and this year, it marked the 25th festival in its history.
The festival was filled with Japan-related activities, performances, demonstrations, workshops, and Japanese food stalls.

Conferral Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, to Emeritus Professor Purnendra Jain

On Friday 26 March, Consul-General Shimada presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, to Emeritus Professor Purnendra Jain for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of Japanese Studies and his understanding of Japan in an international context. Professor Jain was joined by family and friends for a reception followed by a dinner in Adelaide.
 
 

Conferral Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr. Jim Stewart

On Thursday 25 March, Consul-General Shimada presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr. Jim Stewart for his significant contribution to the promotion of Japanese culture and the strengthening of friendly relations between Australia and Japan. Mr Stewart was joined by family and friends for a reception followed by a dinner in Adelaide.
 
 
   

Event to introduce Tokushima Prefecture's Food Products

On Wednesday 17 March, Consul-General Shimada attended an event to introduce Tokushima Prefecture's special food products to cookery students at the William Angliss Institute. Tokushima Prefecture is located in the western part of Japan in the island of Shikoku, and is famous for producing citrus fruits including yuzu.

At the event, in addition to connecting with farmers and brewing companies in Tokushima Prefecture online, Chef Ikuei Arakane, a newly appointed Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador, held a cooking demonstration. Students who tasted dishes using Sudachi, Yuzu, and Yukou from Tokushima Prefecture as seasonings, gave favorable comments and asked questions about cooking methods. By adding a small amount of these seasonings to beverages such as water, carbonated drinks, and alcohol, as well as dishes, you can enjoy a refreshing taste. These seasonings are available at local Japanese food stores.
 
 

Completion Ceremony of the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain Facility

On Friday 12 March, Japanese Ambassador to Australia, Mr YAMAGAMI Shingo, and Consul-General Shimada attended the completion ceremony of the Hydrogen Energy Supply Chain (HESC) facility. HESC is an initiative to demonstrate whether hydrogen can be produced and liquefied from brown coal in Victoria's Latrobe Valley and transported to Japan. Cooperation between Japan and Australia is well underway for the realisation of a new hydrogen society.
 

Dinner to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

On Thursday 11 March, Consul-General Shimada hosted a dinner to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake at his residence.

The guests included Mr Murray McLean AO, the former Ambassador to Japan and his former Australian Embassy colleagues, and former JET Programme participants, who were all living and working in Japan during the great earthquake. Former Premier of Victoria, The Hon Ted Baillieu AO, the then President of the Victorian Legislative Council, the Hon Bruce Atkinson MLC, and Ambassador Yamagami were also present.
　 　　　　　　　　　 

Appointment of Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador - Mr ARAKANE Ikuei

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) appointed Mr ARAKANE Ikuei who is a chef in Melbourne as a “Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador”. A presentation ceremony was held at the Consul-General’s residence on Wednesday 10 March.

MAFF is making efforts in further spreading Japanese food and dietary culture, by appointing "Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador" who is a professional engaged in Japanese cuisine capable of providing appropriate consultation on the dissemination of Japanese food and dietary culture.

In Australia, four goodwill ambassadors have been appointed so far, and this year, Mr Arakane has been appointed as the fifth and the first goodwill ambassador in Melbourne.
　　　　　　　　　
Mr Arakane has been making efforts to disseminate Japanese foods and Japanese agricultural products in many situations, including assisting the Consulate-General in Melbourne for promoting Japanese foods, collaborating with Japanese local governments in promoting their local products, and even appearing at sister city events. He has shown enthusiasm about continuing such activities in the future.
　 　　　　　　　　　 

Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival

On Sunday 28 February, the 2021 Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival was held to celebrate Japanese culture online for the first time due to the COVID-19. Video messages were sent from the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, The Hon Ros Spence MP, the Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Mr Neil Angus MP, and the Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Ms Viv Nguyen. Special messages were received from a Japanese professional basketball player, Mr Baba Yudai and the Japanese Wheelchair Tennis Legend, Mr KUNIEDA Shingo.

Consul-General Shimada delivered a remark including self-introduction and thanked everyone who has worked hard to make this online festival possible.

The online event included performances of taiko, yosakoi dance, and Japanese tea ceremony, as well as various workshops, including Japanese cooking, anime illustration, origami, and ikebana.
　 　　　　　　　　　 

Emperor's Birthday Celebration Event

On Tuesday 23 February, the Emperor's Birthday Celebration Event was held online this year due to the COVID-19.

After a short video titled 'A dream come true' created by the Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) and national anthems of both Japan and Australia, Consul-General Shimada made a speech to congratulate His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito's birthday. He gave a brief self-introduction as well as some images of the return of the Japanese asteroid explorer Hayabusa2 to Woomera last year in his speech, Congratulatory Messages were received from Victorian Premier The Hon Daniel Andrews MP, Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien MP, South Australian Premier The Hon Steven Marshall MP, and Tasmanian Premier The Hon Peter Gutwein MP.

Lastly, a special video message from Dr MOHRI Mamoru, a Japanese astronaut and the Executive Director of the Miraikan in Tokyo, and a preview of the Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival were shown.
　 　　　　　　　　　 

Darwin Defenders Commemoration Service

On Friday 19 February, Consul-General Shimada attended the Darwin Defenders Commemoration Service at the Shrine of Rememberance in recognition of the 79th Anniversay of the Bombing of Darwin. Mr Alan Day KJSJ FAIM and students from Puckapunyal Primary School were present at the service.
 

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