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Sister City Activities between Bankstown and Suita

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~ Article and Photos by Bankstown City Council~

Bankstown signed its first international sister city agreement with Suita, Japan in March 1989, making 2014 a silver jubilee year. Over the past 25 years, there have been numerous youth exchanges where Bankstown youth have been home-hosted in Suita and vice versa. With the assistance of local schools, visiting students are given the chance to experience all aspects of their sister city’s culture. The primary objective of this youth exchange program is to encourage Bankstown and Suita youth to learn about each other’s society and culture. It also gives students who are studying Japanese the opportunity to use their skills in an authentic environment. There were several key activities held between Suita and Bankstown in 2013 which included:

English Teaching Program

In 2013 Teresa Trin and John Pham worked with the Suita International Friendship Association (SIFA) to promote international exchanges and understanding, and provided low cost English lessons to residents in Suita. John let us know how he is getting on and said ‘It’s satisfying to see my students’ English skills improving as we progress through our lessons each week. Teaching English and Australian culture is such a rewarding experience, it feels great to know that I am doing something good, not only for myself, but as well as for my students. Even though my experience has only just begun, it would be nice to look back on what I have done, one day, knowing that I’ve made a difference.’

John Pham and Teresa Trinh teaching English in Suita, Japan

John Pham and Teresa Trinh
teaching English in Suita, Japan

Experience Japan

In June, for the first time, representatives from the Suita Community Campus, Japan, an organisation which caters for people with physical and mental disabilities, visited Bankstown for a mini expo and cultural exchange. Bankstown Council invited local disability coordinators and their clients to visit the Arts Centre for an afternoon of culture, food and fun. Representatives from AFFORD, Northcott, Woodville Community Services, Catholic Care and Caroline Chisholm Special School participated in calligraphy workshops, sampled traditional Japanese festival food, listened to live music played on the shamisen and saw some of the artworks created by the Suita Community Campus clients. There was also a musical performance for Japanese language students at Georges River Grammar held at Bankstown Central Library. After the performance, students discussed their ideas on further developing Council’s Sister City Program, some of which included a food and sporting exchange and a video link to Japanese class rooms. The busy delegation was also able to visit the Caroline Chisholm Special School in Padstow to participate in a morning concert put on by students at their morning assembly.

Trying out some calligraphy with instructor Nami Sumida

Trying out some calligraphy
with instructor Nami Sumida

Friendship Through Football

In August, the Birrong Sports Football Club hosted two junior football teams from Suita City, Japan, composed of teams of 11 to 13 year-olds and eight club officials during August. This visit is part of the Club’s friendship and ongoing cultural exchange with the Suita City Football Association (SCFA) and RESC (Roots Enjoy Sports Community). The friendship and history between the Clubs goes back over 15 years, with ties which have been strengthened with several visits; Birrong heading over to Suita City in 1999 and 2004, with visits from RESC and Suita City Football Association in 2008 and 2010. This year Birrong organised a sightseeing itinerary for their guests and several football games which included a World Cup Gala Day on Sunday 18 August. The matches involved combined teams of Japanese and Birrong players with all participants receiving a T-shirt with this year’s tour motto of Friendship Through Football. As well as the Gala day on Sunday there were football matches against Birrong Public School and two official exhibition matches at Jim Ring Reserve Birrong on Monday 19 August.

My Place Photography Competition

My Place is Council’s annual photography competition which seeks to share the beautiful spaces of Bankstown not only amongst ourselves but with our sister city partners. Residents are asked to snap a shot of somewhere that they love; a local park, the bush, the Georges River or even their own backyard. Photographs are submitted along with an artist’s statement of why that location is special to them. Suita City Hall presented Council with photographs of iconic locations in their city, and SIFA ran a photography competition amongst their students. In December and January the result of these twin competitions were displayed at the five libraries of Bankstown and will form an ongoing collection to showcase both visits.

Bankstown winners of the My Place Photography Competition with the Mayor of Bankstown Cr Khal Asfour

Bankstown winners of
the My Place Photography Competition
with the Mayor of Bankstown Cr Khal Asfour

Coming up in 2014

Bankstown is very excited that 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the sister city relationship with Suita, Japan. Japanese culture will be showcased at key events during the year including Bankstown’s annual food festival, Bankstown Bites and the 2014 Sports Expo. An additional English Language instructor will head to Suita to begin a new contract in April and the Bankstown Arts Centre will host a Miyazaki Movie Marathon and manga drawing workshop.

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  •  On 1 June, we joined Burwood Council for a study session. These sessions have been held annually since 2024, making this the third exchange between our organisations.
     
    Representatives from the JLGC Sydney Office first introduced a project being implemented in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, which is the home municipality of one of our Assistant Executive Directors. Under this project, high school students collaborate with local businesses to develop specialty products. Burwood Council participants showed particular interest in how participating businesses are selected and were eager to learn more about this aspect of the project. We then introduced Japan’s local government mascots, commonly known as yuru-chara, which play an important role in enhancing regional recognition and brand value, as well as communicating government initiatives in an accessible and engaging way. The participating Assistant Executive Directors introduced mascots from their respective local governments and organisations and explained the characters’ backgrounds, roles and activities. In response, Burwood Council participants asked a range of questions, including how mascot designs are submitted and how the final designs are selected.
     
     
     
    Burwood Council then provided an overview of its future-oriented urban development initiatives. Located approximately 15 minutes by train from central Sydney, Burwood currently has a population of around 45,000, which is expected to double over the next decade. In anticipation of this growth, as well as the planned opening of a new metro station in 2032, the Council outlined its approach to promoting high-density urban development alongside the enhancement of high-quality public spaces. Specific initiatives include the development of a new cultural facility that will serve as a hub for arts and culture, the installation of public art, and measures to stimulate the night-time economy and create a vibrant urban environment. The Council also explained its efforts to incorporate community input into urban planning through advisory committees made up of local residents and online consultation platforms that enable broad public participation.
     
     
     
    Following the discussion, we joined Burwood Council staff on a site visit to observe projects aimed at enhancing public spaces through public art and promoting the night-time economy. With development and revitalisation projects underway across many parts of the city, we were able to gain valuable insights into Burwood’s ongoing urban transformation.
    We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at Burwood Council for providing us with this valuable learning opportunity.
     
         
  •  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    ～Grand Prize – ¥500,000～
    SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN for the 15th Annual Manga Kingdom Tottori International Comic Art Contest!
    （Deadline: August 31st）
    ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
    The 15th edition of the Manga Kingdom Tottori International Comic Art Contest is now officially accepting entries – including the special ‘U-15 Youth Manga Artist Prize’ for entrants aged 15 and under. The contest is open to artists worldwide and submissions are accepted in any language!
    This year’s theme is ‘Clothing’.
    Entries will be accepted until Monday August 31st (JST).
    The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of ¥500,000, and selected artists will be invited to Tottori Prefecture for the award ceremony. Winning works will be compiled into a professionally published collection. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this prestigious international celebration of comic art – get your entries in before the deadline!
    Website:

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this correspondence in PDF.

  • Newsletter No.201

  • Ehime Prefecture is located along Japan’s Seto Inland Sea and is home to approximately 1.27 million people. It is known for its warm climate and outstanding scenic beauty, along with its long history of citrus cultivation. The prefecture is made up of many islands, with the unique landscape of the Seto Inland Sea spreading throughout. In recent years, Ehime has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination, welcoming many domestic and international visitors all year round.

       

    In 2027, Ehime Prefecture will host “Velo-city,” an international bicycle conference, for the first time in Japan. Velo-city is one of the largest academic conferences, bringing bicycle companies, researchers, and experts together from around the world. While discussing various topics including tourism, safety, and urban planning, participants can enjoy the cityscape of Matsuyama through a bicycle parade and will also be able to visit other parts of the prefecture via ‘technical visits’ (explained below).

     

    In recent years, Ehime Prefecture has become one of the leading centers of bicycle culture in Japan. Many local residents begin riding bicycles at a very young age, and the majority of high school students commute to school by bike. Furthermore, the prefecture boasts Japan’s highest helmet-wearing rate, demonstrating strong safety awareness throughout the community. This well-established environment, which allows people of all ages to use bicycles safely on a daily basis, positions Ehime Prefecture as a  center of Japan’s bicycle culture.

    Technical visits are guided tours that allow participants to explore various locations throughout the prefecture during Velo-city, featuring multiple courses with different themes. There is a course to learn about the infrastructure and scenery of the “Shimanami Kaido,” Japan’s representative maritime cycling route; a course to study safety education initiatives in schools by observing Japan’s typical morning school commute; and a course to experience the “Henro,” a pilgrimage to Buddhist temples, by bicycle. By participating in these technical visits and experiencing the local atmosphere, participants can gain valuable insights into the prefecture’s bicycle policies firsthand.

     

    On the second day (Wednesday, 26 May 2027), a spectacular bicycle parade will fill the city center. While showcasing the prefecture’s appeal as an international model bicycle city, the event will provide a chance for all participants to experience and share how bicycles act as a catalyst for regional revitalisation, bringing new possibilities for future urban space allocation, health, a sense of purpose in life, and friendship.

    During the four-day event, approximately 80 plenary breakout sessions will be held at the venue, with discussions centered around key themes and priorities. The conference program content will be determined by selecting proposals submitted during the abstract submission period, which begins in September. To encourage active exchange of diverse perspectives, Ehime welcomes a large number of submissions. Participants are invited to apply and help make this event a success.

  • Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an awards ceremony recognising outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies, hosted by the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW).

    On the day, certificates were presented to seven outstanding students nominated by seven universities[1] in the Greater Sydney region, and each recipient delivered a speech.

    All of the award recipients shared reflections along similar lines, such as: “Thanks to studying Japanese, I’ve had incredible experiences, like studying at a Japanese university through an exchange program and making friends from diverse backgrounds, that have truly changed my life.” Another common sentiment was: “Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a career related to Japan or possibly live there in the future, so I will continue to work hard to achieve these goals.”

    Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is by no means an easy task. First and foremost, I would like to express my deep respect to the award recipients for their dedicated commitment to studying Japanese.

    I am also delighted that their language studies have sparked such a strong interest in Japan and a genuine desire to deepen their understanding. I was deeply impressed by their determination to maintain a connection with Japan long after graduation.

    On a personal note, I moved to Sydney last July, my first time living abroad, and I must admit that I still find speaking English challenging at times. However, seeing the dedication of the award recipients has inspired me to renew my own efforts. By conversing and connecting with others in English, I hope to further deepen my understanding of the local people, culture, and values in this region.

    [1] The seven universities were Macquarie University, The University of Newcastle, University of New England, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), The University of New South Wales (UNSW), The University of Sydney, and Western Sydney University.

  •  On Thursday, 21 May, representatives from Yamagata City, who came to Australia to exhibit at the Snow Travel Expo held in Melbourne and Sydney, paid a visit to CLAIR Sydney Office.
    During their visit, we outlined the role of our office and provided an overview of Australia’s society and economy, as well as the current state of inbound tourism to Japan.
     
    This led to an engaging discussion on the differences in industry structure between Japan and Australia and recent trends in inbound tourism.
     
     
     
    CLAIR Sydney also supports a wide range of initiatives undertaken by Japanese local governments in Australia and New Zealand. If you require assistance with your activities, please feel free to contact us.
     
     
  •  On 24 May, the Japan Festival 2026 was held in the City of Whitehorse, located approximately 15 km east of Melbourne.
    Around 100 booths and stalls lined the venue, offering Japanese goods and crafts as well as Japanese cuisine such as sushi and okonomiyaki. Visitors could also enjoy cultural activities including origami and shogi (Japanese chess). There were also a variety of stage performances, including taiko drumming, the Soran Bushi folk dance, and Tsugaru shamisen music, as well as kimono and cosplay contests. According to the organisers, the festival attracted approximately 5,500 visitors.
     
     
     
    CLAIR Sydney also hosted a booth, promoting the attractions of regions across Japan through tourism brochures and other materials. Among the visitors to our booth were people planning cruise trips to Japan, as well as others who said they had visited the country more than ten times, reflecting the enduring appeal of Japan as a travel destination. We also spoke to visitors who had started learning Japanese after their travels and were hoping to move there in the future, highlighting a strong interest in Japanese culture and way of life.
     
     
     
    This year marks the 55th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between the City of Whitehorse and Matsudo City in Chiba Prefecture. It is the longest-running Japan–Australia sister-city relationship in the state of Victoria. As part of the exchange program, the venue also displayed letters with hand-drawn illustrations created by residents of Matsudo , offering visitors a glimpse into the strong bond between the two cities.
     
  • On Tuesday, 12 May, the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW) held an awards ceremony to recognise outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies. Certificates were presented to seven students, each nominated by a university across the Sydney metropolitan area.
     
     
    Following the presentation ceremony, each award recipient delivered a speech, some in Japanese, reflecting on what inspired them to begin studying the language, its appeal, , the challenges they encountered during their studies, and their future aspirations. Their stories varied widely, ranging from students who began learning the language with the dream of working for a Japanese game company to those whose exchange experiences at Japanese universities enabled them to build friendships with people from around the world.
     
    Many of the students reflected on how learning Japanese had expanded their horizons and future possibilities and expressed their hope to continue taking on new challenges connected to Japan, including working or living there in the future.
    Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is never easy. We were deeply moved by the speeches of these students, who spoke passionately about maintaining their connection with Japan even after graduation.
     
    CLAIR Sydney will continue to work closely with Japanese language education institutions and related organisations, further strengthening people-to-people exchanges through Japanese language and culture, and contributing to the ongoing development of Japan-Australia relations.

  • The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

    View this correspondence in PDF.