Celebrating 40 years of sisterhood with Susono
Published on 12 April 2022
Council celebrated the 40th anniversary of Frankston City’s Sister City agreement with Susono, Japan recently, with an official ceremony at the Civic Centre.
The event was attended by residents, Sam Warrington, Julie D’Arcy, Simon Hast and Therese Sakamoto, who have all utilised the partnership to build strong ties with Susono.
Julie and Simon are now Chairperson and Vice Chairperson respectively of the Frankston Susono Friendship Association (FSFA) and work hard to maintain to this wonderful friendship on behalf of Frankston City, including producing a regular FSFA newsletter and maintaining the Japanese garden, located at Frankston High.
Julie and Therese have both spoken fondly of their time on exchange in Susono as high school students, both maintaining a lifelong connection with Japan.
Julie travelled on exchange to Susono as a high school student in 1983, along with student Andrew Grigor. One of her host sisters, Eiko, who also went on exchange to Frankston that same year.
“I had no idea what to expect or what adventures lay ahead. Susono and Frankston had only become Sister Cities the year before, and Andrew and I were the first of many students to be fortunate to have such a wonderful opportunity of experiencing life in another country with an entirely different culture to Australia.”
“Our host families, counsellors and the members of the Susono community were all very friendly and supportive. We soon settled into our new lifestyle and enjoyed attending the local high school where we made many friends. School in Japan was certainly a lot stricter than we were used to in Frankston. We attended school six days per week with the other students.
“Eiko is one of my closest friends. She and her husband Yoichi both visited me for a holiday prior to COVID. I have returned to Japan many times to visit them and my second home –Susono,” Julie said.
“I have a catch-up with Eiko and her husband most weekends via Zoom. They are helping me with Japanese conversation lessons.”
“My time in Susono had a major impact on my life and I thank all those involved in making it happen for me. As the Chairperson of FSFA, I will continue to do my best to ensure the relationship continues to thrive so as many more people can experience Japanese culture and form friendships with our Japanese friends,” Julie said.
Therese Sakamoto also travelled to Susono on a high school exchange in 1986, choosing to return there as an adult after studying Japanese at university in Australia.
Therese lived in Japan for many years, working and raising her children in Kumamoto, south western Japan. Therese now teaches Japanese at a local primary school.
“Sister Cities are called 'sisters' for a reason. The bond between the people of Frankston and Susono is as close as family. Susono holds a special place in the hearts of many Frankston citizens, including mine. Translations are unnecessary when the people of our two cities come together. Our friendship transcends language and cultural barriers.
“On the 40th anniversary, it is important to reflect and appreciate the depth of friendship, cultural understanding and joy that has been possible thanks to the hard work and passion of the volunteer citizens in both Frankston and Susono. It is my wish that the people of our two cities continue this connection for many years to come,” Therese said.
Councillor David Asker said, “These stories are a wonderful reminder that Sister City relationships create amazing connections and immense benefits between two very different cultures and I am proud that Council has maintained this relationship for so long.”
For more information, visit: http://www.frankston-susono.com/