~ 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
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
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
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.
