Susono New Year Report - Yoshio Noda (FSFA Committee Member)

 

We are so pleased to welcome Yoshio Noda to our 2025-26 FSFA Committee as  our "man on the ground" in Susono, our sister city. Yoshio worked for Yazaki and was based in the City of Frankston for a number of years whilst working at Australian Arrow Pty Ltd - Yazaki's Oceania subsidiary. He continues to lecture and educate in his "retirement" and remains very active in the scouting movement.

Yoshio joins our monthly meetings via TEAMS and submitted the following presentation on the New Year activities in Susono at our February meeting:

The Kanji of the Year "Kuma (Bear)" is a result of the increasing encounters with bears throughout Japan during 2025. Unfortunately, there were a record breaking 235 incidents and 13 fatalities reported between April and November across Japan due to climate change and rural depopulation!

Observing and photographing the first sunrise of the year is very important to the Japanese, and what better place to do that in Susono by capturing an image of Mount Fuji. People will often travel great distances in the early morning to catch a special sighting at a mountain, shrine or temple, and even the ocean or sea!

Food is especially important during the New Year when many Japanese will travel back to their home town to reunite with family members as the generations gather to celebrate together with specially prepared foods and drink.

The Tokyo-Hakone Relay Race brings teams from all the major universities and colleges to compete along the route which passes through our sister city of Susono. Hatsumode is the first Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine visit of the New Year and usually occurs between January 1st to 3rd. Omamori are small charms and prayers sold at temples and shrines which are thought to bring good luck and protection for health, safety, romance and academic success.

Mochi is made by pounding steamed rice into a sticky and chewy dough, and sometimes filled or served with a sweet red bean paste, ice cream or grilled with soy sauce. Care must be taken with eating mochi as the very young or elderly can find the gelatinous texture may be a choking hazard!

This view of Mount Fuji shows the City of Gotemba which is located north of Susono, which is to the left in this picture.

Susono Mayor Mr. Harukaze Murata will serve another 4 years after his successful campaign which saw him riding his bicycle to all parts of the city often wearing his signature red or pink outfits. Susono's Mayor is elected by the citizens, unlike Frankston where the elected councilors choose the Mayor each year.

Setsuban is held in early February and involves praying for a healthy and happy life. Beans are thrown to ward off evil spirits or oni (which is a kind of yokai, ogre, troll or demon in Japanese Folklore).

And like many other Japanese occasions, food and drink are important elements - but I'm not so sure about the sardine heads!

We look forward to future informative and interesting presentations and updates from Susono thanks to Yoshio!

Slides presented by Yoshio with addition notes by FSFA Vice Chairperson Simon Hast.

2024-25 FSFA Chairperson's Annual Report

The Frankston Susono Friendship Association (FSFA) has had an exceptionally active and successful year, strengthening cultural, educational, and community ties between Frankston and our sister city Susono.

Cultural Activities and Community Engagement

The FSFA Taiko Group has continued to grow in both membership and skill. Over the past year, they have performed at Cruden Farm, Frankston Bunnings, Frankston High School’s Best Fest and the Japanese Festival, delighting audiences and sharing the spirit of Japanese culture throughout the community.

FSFA held two highly successful Bunnings sausage sizzles, with funds raised going toward the purchase of new Taiko drums for the group. These performances and fundraising efforts have brought people together and raised the profile of FSFA across the region.

Educational and Cultural Exchange

FSFA held a vibrant Japanese Festival at Frankston High School. Thanks to the wonderful efforts of the FSFA Committee and friends, members of delegations from Susono, and the generous support of Frankston High School, the festival was a huge success. The Japanese Consul-General, along with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Frankston and Frankston City Councillors, attended the event, highlighting the importance of our ongoing commitment to showcasing Japanese culture to the community, and our relationship with Susono.

The Annual Japanese Speech Contest once again provided a valuable opportunity for local students to showcase their Japanese language skills. More than 45 primary and secondary students took part, demonstrating impressive enthusiasm and talent.

The Hanami Party was another highlight of the year, well attended by FSFA members and the wider community. We were honoured by the attendance of the Japanese Consul-General, who enjoyed the festivities in the Japanese Garden at Frankston High School. A huge thank you to Simon Hast for overseeing the care of the Japanese garden and to everyone who assists Simon at the working bees to ensure it always looks so wonderful.

Susono Delegation Visit – August 2025

In August 2025, FSFA proudly welcomed a delegation of 18 from Susono, led by the Deputy Mayor Chisato Onishi, and including representatives from City Hall, SOFA, and the Susono community. A school delegation of 10 students and 2 teachers also visited Frankston during this period.

Many delegates enjoyed homestays in Frankston and surrounding areas, sightseeing on the Mornington Peninsula, and school visits to Derinya Primary School. They were also instrumental in showcasing their culture at the Japanese Festival which concluded with an after-party with the delegates, host families and FSFA Committee members, which provided our friends from Japan to experience an Aussie roast dinner. The evening’s highlight was seeing everyone enjoying Australian Bush Dancing together.

During the delegation visit, a special Sister City Proclamation signing ceremony was held, reaffirming the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Frankston and Susono. The Japanese Consul-General, along with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Frankston, attended the Japanese Festival and the signing ceremony, underscoring the importance of our ongoing partnership.

To conclude the visit, FSFA hosted a formal farewell dinner for the adult delegates, attended by Frankston Mayor Cr Kris Bolam, Deputy Mayor Cr Steffie Conroy, Frankston City Councillors, FSFA Life Members, and current and former FSFA Committee members. It was a fitting and memorable celebration of friendship and cultural exchange.

Representation in Japan

In October 2024, I had the honour of representing FSFA at the International Fair held in Susono, where I assisted the SOFA Committee on the day.

Following the Fair, I remained in Japan for almost a year, teaching English conversation classes for SOFA to both children and adults. Living in Susono allowed me to once again, experience Japanese lifestyle and culture firsthand. Thanks to technology, I was able to continue participating in FSFA monthly meetings online.

FSFA and SOFA committees also maintained regular joint online meetings every three months, enabling both associations to discuss ongoing projects such as delegation visits and Festivals.

International Collaboration and World Expo

In October, a delegation from Derinya Primary School visited Susono and, together with students from Susono and SOFA members, attended the World Expo in Osaka. The group was invited to perform on stage at the Australian Pavilion, showcasing a joint performance by children from both Frankston and Susono. The event was a tremendous success and a shining example of international friendship in action.

On October 10th, the Mayor of Frankston also visited Susono, where he met with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Susono, City Hall representatives, and SOFA Committee members. The visit was a significant occasion, strengthening the civic and community connection between the two cities and reaffirming their mutual commitment to the sister city relationship.

Looking Ahead

The coming year promises to be another exciting period for FSFA. SOFA is already planning the Australian Fair (date to be confirmed), which will provide another wonderful opportunity for a delegation from Frankston to visit Susono and experience Japanese culture.

FSFA is also keen to promote Ground Golf within the Frankston community, with the goal of participating in Ground Golf competitions in Japan in 2026 and 2027.

In February 2026, we will proudly celebrate 44 years of sister city friendship between Frankston and Susono — a remarkable milestone in our enduring relationship.

This year also saw some important operational changes. Frankston City Council (FCC) has requested that FSFA take full responsibility for managing its own budget and funds. In addition, as FCC no longer provides secretarial support (including the taking of minutes), FSFA has moved its regular meetings from the Council offices to the Frankston South Community & Recreation Centre. These changes mark an important step in FSFA’s evolution as an independent, community-led organisation.

Acknowledgements

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to all members of the FSFA Committee for their tireless dedication and teamwork throughout the year. Your efforts ensure that our sister city relationship continues to thrive and that our community remains connected to Japanese culture and friendship.

We also pause to remember Vic Walker, FSFA Life Member, who passed away recently. Vic’s long-term contribution and passion greatly enriched the sister city relationship and our Association. Our condolences go to Vic's family and friends.

Earlier this year, we were also saddened by the passing of Dr. Shunji Ohashi, former Mayor of Susono. Frankston City Council sent a Letter Under Seal to his wife, and I was honoured to attend his funeral on behalf of FSFA. His leadership and commitment to the Sister City relationship will be fondly remembered.

Closing Remarks

It is both an honour and a privilege to serve as Chairperson and to continue the great work begun by those who came before us. I look forward to the year ahead — one filled with friendship, collaboration, and the continued celebration of Japanese culture within our Frankston community.

Julie D’Arcy

Chairperson, Frankston Susono Friendship Association

Japanese festival 2025!!

🌸 A Celebration of Culture & Friendship

What an incredible day we had on Sunday, 3 August, at the Frankston Japanese Festival! We were absolutely thrilled to host our amazing community, along with special guests from our sister city Susono, Japan, for a day filled with culture, laughter, and connection.

From taiko drumming, martial arts demonstrations, calligraphy workshops, delicious Japanese food stalls, and beautiful cultural displays, the festival was alive with energy and colour. Everywhere you looked, there were smiles, learning moments, and celebrations of Japanese traditions right here in Frankston.

🙏 A Huge Thank You!

This festival would not have been possible without the dedication and passion of so many people. To our FSFA committee members, volunteers, performers, stall holders, and of course, our wonderful community and friends from Susono, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Your support and involvement made this celebration truly unforgettable!

🌟 Festival Highlights at a Glance

• Cultural Performances: Taiko drumming, martial arts, music and dance
• Workshops & Activities: Calligraphy and hands-on cultural crafts
• Market Stalls & Food: Tasty Japanese cuisine and cultural treasures
• Moments of Connection: Friendships old and new, laughter everywhere

💖 Until Next Time

From everyone at the Frankston Susono Friendship Association, thank you for helping us keep the spirit of friendship and cultural exchange alive. We can’t wait to see you at our next event!

ありがとうございました (Arigatō gozaimashita), thank you very much!