Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Takasago students visit Latrobe

Ten students from Latrobe’s Japanese sister city, Takasago, reported that the highlight of their recent visit to Latrobe City was the home-stay program where they boarded with local families around the area.

By Latrobe City Council - 6th September 2006 - Back to News

Latrobe City mayor, councillor Lisa Price, said that the students aged between 13 and 15 years old, spent nearly a week visiting local attractions and experiencing Australian life.

"On arrival, the students and their accompanying adults Ms Makiko Tada who works for Takasago International Association and Mr Mizuki Ohigashi, tour conductor, were welcomed at a party hosted by council. The students were introduced to their host families and they spent a free weekend with the families, enjoying a taste of Australian life," Cr Price said.

Latrobe City’s international relations officer, Yuki Poole said that the busy itinerary allowed adults and students to enjoy the best of the local attractions.

"The first port of call was the Gippsland Heritage Park where the students were thrilled to see the heritage buildings, especially the old school room. They were treated to an Aussie lunch followed by a PowerWorks tour. After a community presentation at council, the students were collected by their host families for the weekend," Ms Poole explained.

"The community presentation performed by the students was of the highest calibre. The students educated Latrobe City staff, community members and their host families on where they come from and what daily life is like as a high school student in our Japanese sister city. They entertained their audience with songs, including a number that even had Mayor Lisa Price joining the students up front singing and clapping.

"After their free weekend, the students enjoyed a visit to Monash University Gippsland, Flinders College and a trip to Morwell Ten Pin Bowling with Latrobe City’s Youth Council.

"The delegation then stayed overnight at Rawson and the following morning went on a high ropes and flying fox training course. The afternoon saw the students visiting Walhalla and experiencing the gold mine tour before attending a farewell barbecue dinner at council’s corporate headquarters," Ms Poole said.

Cr Price added that whilst the delegation visited many attractions during their stay, it was the chance to stay with an Australian family that proved to be the big winner.

"This was an important part of the tour for the students and adults, as it was a chance to really experience Australian life. To live, eat and spend time with an Australian family highlighted both the differences and the similarities between Australian and Japanese culture. This sort of opportunity is once-in-a-lifetime and we hope that the young people will be able to draw upon this cultural experience in the future," Cr Price concluded.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
  Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase.
• Latrobe City launches investment campaign showcasing strength, innovation, and opportunities across Gippsland
  Latrobe City Council launched an investment campaign showcasing business strength, innovation, and opportunities positioning itself as Gippsland's hub for growth, transformation, and future industries.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park as lease nears end
  Latrobe City Council is inviting community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park, with the current operator's lease expiring in May 2026 under Crown Land Leasing Policy requirements for open and impartial processes.
• Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience.
• Latrobe City Council endorses community engagement on draft financial, asset, and road management plans
  Council endorsed community engagement on key draft plans, including the Financial, Asset, and Road Management Plans, ensuring alignment with the Community Vision, Council Plan, and long-term strategic planning framework.
• Latrobe Valley households to cut energy bills with efficient electric heat pump hot water system upgrades
  Latrobe Valley households can cut energy bills by $330 annually with efficient heat pump hot water systems, thanks to the Allan Labor government's SEC one stop shop pilot expansion.
• Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
  A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity.
• Darren Chester welcomes $6.2M Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment with upgraded facilities for Latrobe Valley sports clubs
  Darren Chester welcomed the $6.2 million Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment, providing modern changerooms and upgraded facilities through joint funding to support Latrobe Valley sports and long-term community participation.
• Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition.
• From Job expos to farms and sports awards connecting communities across East Gippsland through events and advocacy
  From jobs expos to farm visits, sports awards, and community projects, recent weeks highlighted East Gippsland's talent, resilience, and collaboration, advocacy, and opportunities that strengthen local communities.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.
• Over 350 attended Youth Agritech Expo, experiencing hands-on innovation and future opportunities in modern farming industry
  More than 350 people joined East Gippsland's Youth Agritech Expo, where students explored hands-on agricultural innovations, from drones to driverless tractors, sparking fresh excitement about farming's high-tech, diverse, and innovative future.
• Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
  Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety.