JET Returnees 2015 – Having Your Ramen and Eating It
~ Article by JETAA WA ~
This January, JETAAWA welcomed seven of the ten new JET returnees to Western Australia.
This is something we do every year in some form, but this time we made a special effort to put on a good show.
In previous years, the Consulate General in Perth has hosted an event at the residence of the Consul General; this is always a grand affair, and a great chance for the returnees to speak about their experience and meet members of the Japanese and Japan-related community in Perth.
JETAAWA’s event is, in contrast, usually a more casual affair – a chance to share memories of the JET Programme and introduce the returnees to all the ways in which they can continue their JET experience, with us, back here in Australia.
This year, due to workload, the Consulate General was unable to host their event, so we instead partnered with them in the delivery of a blend of the two – fancy but friendly, formal yet casual, giving both the returnees and our invited guests from the Consulate General and local business community the chance to network in a more personal atmosphere.
Special recognition goes to JETAAWA’s Emma Nicoletti (Social rep) and Matt Stott (Treasurer), who worked hard to ensure this night was a great success for us, as well as for the Consulate General and the returnees. I’d also like to thank Zen restaurant in Subiaco for giving us their entire venue for the night and serving great food, including the ramen.
We are now planning our AGM at the end of March, and I’m hopeful that some of the returnees will join the JETAAWA committee and get more involved in our activities over the next year.
