Twelve residents of the Federation Council have returned home from a successful nine-day cultural exchange to Miki City, Japan as guests of our Sister City, making "tomodachi" or friendships that will last a lifetime.
The 2024 delegation included six young people being Baxter Donovan, Lachlan McCormick, Imogen Lake, Dayna Carter, Philippa Coghill, and Josie Gooden, who were accompanied by four adults, Britt McCormick, Adrienne Harnett, Imogen Letchford, Jordyn Pierce, and two chaperones, Narelle Donovan and Georgie Brown.
The delegates stayed with local families and enjoyed an exciting itinerary, which included visiting local schools and experiencing Japanese cultural activities.
Day 1
Delegates were picked up from Kansai Airport by staff from Miki City International and chaperoned to Miki City Hall for their official welcome ceremony.
The day ended with everyone heading home to their new host families.
Day 2
Delegates enjoyed a cooking experience making sushi and a visit to Gayain Temple, before spending time at Miki City Junior school where delegates made one of many presentations in Japanese about their lives in the Federation Council area.
Day 3
The day started with Miki City International staff conducting a special tree-planting ceremony in recognition of the sister-city relationship with the Federation Council and its continual growth.
In the afternoon, delegates experienced Japanese tea customs, before listening to and trying the "Koto" Japanese harp.
Day 4
The younger delegates spent a whole day at the junior school and participated in classroom activities. Everyone else visited the "E Defence" Earthquake Engineering Research Centre in the morning and a hardware factory and Sake brewery in the afternoon.
Day 5 & 6
Delegates spent the weekend with their host families and enjoyed many fun adventures!
Day 7
Monday was a sightseeing tour of the World Heritage-listed Himeji Castle, before a farewell party with the host families and Miki City International staff.
Day 8
The delegates left their host families to stay at the Co-Op Kobe Kyodo Gakuen hotel for two nights.
The morning started with a visit to the Mikiyamu Forest Park, before going to the Glico Dairy Plant and Miki Fire Department. A visit to the Tamaoki-ke Historical Mansion and finished learning to make chopsticks.
Day 9
Delegates said goodbye to Miki City and their new friends before flying back to Melbourne to return to their homes in the bush!
This Sister City was first established in 1997 between Corowa Shire and Yokawa Town. In 2005 Yokawa City amalgamated with Miki City Council, then Corowa Shire and Urana Council in 2016, evolving into the now Sister City Exchange Program between Miki City and Federation Council.
It has seen hundreds of young people travel across the Pacific to experience another culture, share knowledge and experiences, develop connections and friendships, which is an experience that cannot be underestimated in today's global community.
"Federation Council would like to thank Miki City, Miki City International staff and the host families for providing such as an amazing experience. We are very thankful for the enduring friendship that we have with Miki City and we are delighted to have been able to participate in this year's exchange to Japan," said Mayor, Councillor Cheryl Cook. "I look forward to hearing from the delegation about their experience in the beautiful Miki City."
This year's delegates will be invited to address the Council to share their experiences and what they have gained from been part of the exchange.
