On 20 Aug, CLAIR Sydney staff participated in the official Welcome Reception of the 2019 Kawasaki Junior Cultural Prize in Wollongong. The staff attended the event after receiving a request of assistance from the City of Kawasaki, Wollongong’s sister city in Japan, as well as receiving an invitation from Wollongong City Council directly.
Four Year 6 students from Kawasaki were chosen as recipients of the Kawasaki Junior Cultural Prize this year based on their outstanding essay and art submissions. The prize, sponsored by Kawasaki Shinkin Bank, is an opportunity for the selected students in Japan to visit Wollongong, and the recipients were inducted as Kawasaki International Friendship Ambassadors prior to visiting Wollongong. During the reception, the ambassadors introduced their prized essays and artworks to the Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Cr Gordon Bradbery. Students from Wollongong who are studying Japanese made presentations to welcome the ambassadors. CLAIR Sydney staff were able to see the deep ties between Wollongong and Kawasaki through the students’ interactions.