~ Photos and Article by JETAA NSW~
One of the best reasons to be a JETAA member is the chance to carry out truly creative and innovative projects. As an example of this, in 2013, JETAA NSW conceived of an uchiwa design competition which was open to the public. The winning design would then be sent to printers in Japan, to be printed on a thousand uchiwa, to be given out to the public at 2013’s Sydney Japan Festival. The intention of such a project was to engage the Australian public in the creation of a Japanese cultural object, as well as raise the profile of JETAA NSW.
The competition was won by a Queensland high school student, which was a surprise, but a good one, indicating the level of interest across all age groups. Thanks to the generous support of the Consulate of Japan, the project was made possible, showing how proactive cooperation between groups can achieve great things. The public too, were very positive in their response, ensuring that the uchiwa were all taken by the public by the afternoon (but helped no doubt by the hot weather which made the use of an uchiwa a practical, as well as a fashionable, necessity).
Another side-project that JETAA NSW was involved in at the festival also involved uchiwa, this time with the additional support of the Japan Club of Sydney. JETAA NSW ordered 300 blank uchiwa, as part of their contribution to the children’s activity area of the festival. Children (and adults) were invited to draw and colour their own uchiwa, and it proved so popular that some children came back to visit the activity tent again and again. The parents and also some Japanese language teachers expressed their delight and enjoyment of seeing children having fun at this activity.
Successful activities like this form part of JETAA NSW’s yearly calendar, which includes fundraising (the Big Bento at www.bigbentolunch.com.au), pub trivia night, Shaberanaito nights (language exchange events, coordinated with the Australia-Japan Society of NSW) and of course, helping out with the JET Programme selection process. As a volunteer organisation, JETAA NSW depends on the support and enthusiasm of its members and of Japanese cultural groups in Sydney, and looks forward to even more original and exciting projects in the new year of 2014.
To keep up to date with JETAA NSW, please visit our website at www.jetaansw.org, or join our Facebook group (JETAA NSW), our Twitter and Instagram (@jetaansw). Thank you very much to everyone for their support!
