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Takasago bound group meets for first time

Takasago bound students and their accompanying adult leaders have met together for the first time

By Latrobe City Council - 2nd May 2001 - Back to News

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Takasago bound students and their accompanying adult leaders have met together for the first time as a group to discuss planning for the visit to Latrobe’s sister city in Japan, Takasago.

The ten Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 students from Kurnai College, CRC, Lowanna College, St Pauls Anglican Grammar, Gippsland Grammar and Mirboo North Secondary College, met with Tour Leader David Pickburn, and Protocol Officer Ms Chihiro Tabata.

The meeting followed the student’s selection in March and an introductory meeting with Council, and the appointment of the Tour Leader and Protocol Officer in early April.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said that with the selection process finalised and all appointments made, the student group could get down to the detailed planning process for the visit which takes place in the third term school holidays in September.

Top of the meeting agenda was the opportunity for the students to question past participants on their experiences in Japan, and the distribution of Japanese phrase books and guide books.

"Students who have taken part in past visits to our Sister City have a wealth of knowledge to share on the customs and culture of the Japanese people from their own experiences, and what to expect and how to prepare for a visit of this nature," Cr Jenkins explained.

"The highlight of this visit will be the host family stays, where the Latrobe students stay with a Takasago family. This experience proves most rewarding for the students and their host families, where an understanding of each other’s culture is embraced."

Families of the Latrobe students taking part in the visit will also host a student from Takasago in August.

The students were also advised that Edison Mission Energy, Australian Paper and Yallourn Energy have already agreed to sponsor the student’s visit. Additional fundraising ideas were also discussed, all funds raised being pooled for the benefit of the student group.

"We are particularly grateful for the ongoing sponsorship from Australian Paper and Edison Mission Energy who have played an integral role in sponsoring these valuable visits in the past," Cr Jenkins said.

Councillor Jenkins said the Latrobe region began its long friendship with Takasago when the BCLV project was operating in Morwell.

"Since that time we have welcomed many students from Takasago to our municipality, though this will be the first student exchange since Latrobe City and Takasago officially became Sister Cities in October," Cr Jenkins said.

"We can be very proud that this region is at the forefront of fostering and promoting Australia’s good international relationships with many countries. This program and the many other programs that are being run by schools and service clubs in Latrobe City can only benefit our citizens who learn about other cultures, and exchange ideas, while developing respect," Cr Jenkins added.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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• Cann River students welcomed to Canberra by Darren Chester when visiting Parliament House
  Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester welcomed Cann River students in Canberra, giving them a behind-the-scenes Parliament House tour and discussing his journey, national issues, and Gippsland projects.
• Kurnai College students plant and re-pot native Lomandra grasses in partnership with Gippsland Water
  Kurnai College students, in partnership with Gippsland Water, are planting and repotting Lomandra grasses on campus and at Moondarra Reservoir, learning sustainable gardening practices and supporting local ecosystems.
• East Gippsland Council approves over $100M worth of property development in first half on 2022
  The East Gippsland region is continuing to receive strong interest from the investment, commercial and residential sectors.
• Nearly 40 Year 8 students from Baw Baw Shire were inducted as mental health ambassadors for Live4Life
  Nearly 40 Year 8 students across Baw Baw Shire were inducted as mental health ambassadors through Live4Life, promoting awareness and tackling stigma, with over 3,500 participants since 2020.
• Parents of students at Bruthen Primary School requested signage upgrades to prominent speed limit signage
  Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has asked the Minister for Roads and Road Safety to review the speed limit signage adjacent to the Bruthen Primary School.
• Orbost Secondary school students visit East Gippsland Water facilities to learn about water management and treatment
  Ten Year 8 students from Orbost Secondary School visited East Gippsland Water's facilities to learn about water management and treatment, aims to educate students and encourages other schools to arrange similar tours or talks.
• Gippsland students urged to enter National Water Week poster contest by 6 September 2024
  Gippsland Water is extending a warm invitation to the vibrant young minds of local primary, kindergarten, and early learning institutions to partake in its esteemed National Water Week poster competition.
• Bass Coast Council endorses Berninneit name for new cultural centre in Cowes to emphasise connection to First Nations history
  Bass Coast Shire Council Mayor Cr Michael Whelan expressed pride in the community's enthusiastic response to naming the cultural centre, emphasising its connection to First Nations history.
• Tim Bull urges Gippsland students to join 2024 Parliament Prize by showcasing their ideas through video submissions
  Tim Bull encourages local students to participate in the 2024 Parliament Prize competition. Students from years five to twelve can submit videos presenting their ideas for Parliament. Entries close on June 14, 2024.
• Nearly 40 Baw Baw Shire students became mental health ambassadors, launching the 2025 Live4Life program
  In February, nearly 40 students across Baw Baw Shire were inducted as mental health ambassadors for Live4Life, promoting positive mental health, reducing stigma, and supporting youth through events and activities in 2025.
• Boisdale Primary students get civic education session from Darren Chester ahead of parliament return
  Federal MP Darren Chester prepared for Spring Session with civics and citizenship class at Boisdale Consolidated Primary School. Discussed politics and government with students, pictured with the school leadership team.
• Gippsland Water encourages local students to send an application for a 12-week Summer Internship program, providing paid experience and mentoring
  Gippsland Water's Summer Internship Program offers local students valuable career experience. Running for 12 weeks during the summer, it provides paid internships with mentoring on real projects. Applications are now open.
• Lindenow South Primary students help plan native plants for platypus habitat along Mitchell River
  Lindenow South Primary School students, aided by East Gippsland CMA, planted native plants for platypus habitat along Mitchell River's banks near Wuk Wuk. Funded by Victoria, the project supports local platypus populations.
• Baw Baw Shire students lead Live4Life program with mental health activities and awareness
  Baw Baw Live4Life program's Crew, consisting of young people from eight secondary schools, will raise mental health awareness and provide support to peers and community, to launch their program on May 1st.
• Free pair of glasses for 176 students across West Gippsland and Latrobe Valley from Andrews Labor Victorian government
  One thousand more Victorian students can now see more clearly and concentrate better at school, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government's free Glasses for Kids program.
• Nicholson Primary School students get chance to discuss Parliament while receiving certificates from Darren Chester
  This week, Darren Chester, Federal Member for Gippsland, visited Nicholson Primary School's Year 5/6 students to discuss the Gippsland electorate, Parliament, and his role, presenting achievement certificates afterward.
• Tim Bull encourages Gippsland students to enter 2023 Spirit of Anzac Prize by 6 September 2023 for chance to join Gallipoli tour
  Tim Bull, Nationals' MP and Shadow Minister for Veterans, urges local students to enter the Spirit of Anzac Prize, expressing their Anzac spirit creatively for a chance to explore its legacy in Turkey.
• New facilities for students at St Angela of the Cross Primary School in Warragul from $1,750,000 federal funding
  Member for Monash Russell Broadbent virtually blessed the opening of Stage 1 of St Angela of the Cross Primary School that was funded by the Coalition Government.
• Wellington Shire wellness map list of tracks and trails close to town centres to encourage you to spend time in the spring sunshine
  Wellington Shire council is encouraging you to get active close to home.
• Danny O'Brien urges Gippsland students to enter the 2025 Premier's Spirit of ANZAC Prize Competition by 28 April 2025
  Danny O'Brien is encouraging Gippsland students to enter the 2025 Spirit of ANZAC Prize for a chance to join a fully funded Gallipoli study tour. Entries close 28 April 2025.