Event Reports

2023/2/20

日本語

10/11/2022 JET Programme Returnees Welcome Reception

03/11/2022 Ceremony to Present the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria Committee

19/10/2022 Ceremony to Present the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Ms NAKAGAWA Yasuko

07/10/2022 Conferral Ceremony of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, to Emeritus Professor Yoshio Sugimoto

02/10/2022 Consul-General's Commendation to Melbourne Kyudo Kai

28/07/2022 2022 JET Programme Farewell Function

11/03/2022 Conferral Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr Philip John Cooper

27/02/2022 2022 Melbourne Summer Festival

17/02/2022 2022 Emperor’s Birthday Celebration Reception

2022 Event Reports

JET Programme Returnees Welcome Reception

On 10 November 2022, Consul-General Shimada hosted a reception at his residence to welcome the JET Programme participants who came back from Japan this year. Mr Murray McLean AO, a former Australian Ambassador to Japan was present and the Hon Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Education, sent a video message. Other guests included Mr Makio Yamada, Deputy Director of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations in Sydney, Japanese lecturers/teachers, former JET Programme participants, and business representatives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne.

Ceremony to Present the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria Committee

On Thursday 3 November, Consul-General Shimada held a ceremony at his residence to present the 2022 Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation to the Japanese Language Speech Contest Victoria (JLSCV) Committee for its significant contribution in promoting Japanese language education in Victoria and strengthening Australia-Japan relations. The ceremony was attended by the JLSCV Committee President, Mr Honda Hiroshi, current and past members of the committee, and other people involved in the Japanese Laguage Speech Contest in Victoria. They celebrated the award together. Established in 1990, the JLSCV Committee is made up of volunteer committee members, including Japanese language teachers from various universities, and is responsible for publicising the Japanese Language Speech Contest in Victoria, securing funds and venues for the event, and planning the event. The committee has contributed to the promotion of Japanese language education in Victoria. Many of the award winners have also contributed to the strengthening of Australia-Japan relations by working in Japan-related jobs in Australia and abroad.

Ceremony to Present the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to Ms NAKAGAWA Yasuko

On Wednesday 19 October, Consul-General SHIMADA hosted a ceremony at his residence to award Ms NAKAGAWA Yasuko, Convenor of Cherry Friends, with the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for her significant contribution in promoting Japanese culture and deepening friendship between Japan and Australia. Ms NAKAGAWA was joined by members of the Cherry Friends for the ceremony, followed by a dinner at the official residence. Founded in 2015, Cherry Friends is a group of volunteers who look after Banksia Park’s Japanese cherry grove, which was gifted by the late Japanese Prime Minister OHIRA Masayoshi in 1980 to celebrate the friendship between Japan and Victoria.

Conferral Ceremony of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, to Emeritus Professor Yoshio Sugimoto

On 7 October 2022, Consul-General Shimada held a conferral ceremony at the official residence to present the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, to Emeritus Professor Yoshio Sugimoto of La Trobe University. The conferral by His Majesty the Emperor is in recognition of his significant contribution to academic exchange between Japan and Australia. Professor Sugimoto was the first director of the Japanese Studies Centre at Monash University. He also established his own publishing company, the Trans Pacific Press, to deliver excellent research in Japanese sociology to the English-speaking world. Professor Sugimoto was joined by family and former colleagues for a reception followed by a dinner at the official residence.

Consul-General's Commendation to Melbourne Kyudo Kai

On Sunday 2nd October, Consul-General Shimada awarded Melbourne Kyudo Kai (MKK) his commendation in recognition of their distinguished contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia and promoting Kyudo. Following a congratulatory speech by Consul-General Shimada, Mr Gavin Downs, President of MKK, received the certificate from CG Shimada on behalf of MKK. MKK is the first Kyudo club established in Victoria and will be celebrating the 10th anniversary next year.

2022 JET Programme Farewell Function

On 28 July 2022, Consul-General Shimada hosted a reception to farewell 17 departing JET Programme participants from Victoria at his official residence. The reception was attended by Mr Andrew Cumpston, State Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Victoria and Mr Makio Yamada, Deputy Director of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations in Sydney. Other guests included former JET Programme participants, Japanese teachers and lecturers, and business representatives from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne.

At the reception, Ikebana International Victoria conducted a brief flower arrangement seminar and the Melbourne Kyudokai performed ceremonial shootings of Kyudo, Japanese archery.

The 2022 JET Programme participants will depart on 13 August to commence their one-year contracts as Assistant Language Teachers or Coordinators for International Relations in Japan. For information on the JET Programme, please visit the JET Programme website.

Conferral Ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr Philip John Cooper

On 11 March 2022, Consul-General Shimada presented the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, to Mr. Philip John Cooper for his significant contribution to the promotion of inter-regional exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and Australia. Mr Cooper was joined by family and friends for a reception followed by a dinner in Hobart.

2022 Melbourne Summer Festival

On Sunday 27 February, the 2022 Melbourne Japanese Summer Festival was held online due to the ongoing pandemic. Video messages were sent from the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Ros Spence MP and the Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Ms Viv Nguyen. A special message was received from the Australian Wheelchair Tennis Legend and the 2022 Australian of the Year, Mr Dylan Alcott OAM. Consul-General Shimada thanked everyone who has helped to make this online festival possible in his video message. The online festival included performances of taiko, and yosakoi eisa dance, a special clip from a sake brewery from Niigata, interviews of former JET Programme participants, and a photo contest as well as a Kyara onigiri competition.

2022 Emperor’s Birthday Celebration Reception

On 17 February 2022, the Emperor’s Birthday Celebration Reception was held at the Consul-General’s residence. Approximately 260 people attended the event including state officials and politicians, local government representatives, members of the Victorian Consular Corps, Japanese cultural and educational organisations, and business representatives from Australia and Japan. Following a speech by Consul-General Shimada, congratulatory messages were given by the guest of honour; Mr Steve Dimopoulos MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier (representing the Premier), and Mr Brad Battin MP (representing Leader of the Opposition). The venue was decorated with ikebana displays and guests had the chance to see kyudo and live koto performances, and participate in a tea ceremony. Additionally, Japanese food and drinks such as Japanese beer, matcha slushies, and Japanese probiotic milk beverages were served. Char-grilled Hida beef, strawberries, and sake were offered by Gifu prefecture, while Kyoto prefecture offered Gyokuro tea and wagashi. Japanese companies also exhibited a hydrogen fuel cell car and a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and distributed samples of healthcare products.