Ambassador Kusaka Attends the Opening and Dedication of the New Entrance and Gates at Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre
2016/9/16
On 7th September, Ambassador Kusaka and Mrs Kusaka attended the opening and dedication of the new entrance and gates at the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre in Cowra, NSW. The Ambassador and Mrs Kusaka cerebrated the completion of the new gates together with many people involved in this project, including Mayor of Cowra Mr Bill West, Chairman of the Cowra Japanese garden and Cultural Centre Mr Bob Griffiths, Retiring Chairman of the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre Mr Don Kibbler, as well as Mr John Gandel and Deputy Managing Director of Mitsubishi Australia Mr Nobuharu Hirota who generously donated to this project.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Kusaka said this Japanese garden has been visited by many Japanese and Australian citizens, and fosters the continuously enhancing relationship of our two countries after the great tragedy that took place in Cowra in 1944 during World War II where many Japanese soldiers died during their prison escape. Ambassador Kusaka also expressed his appreciation to Mr Gandel and Mitsubishi Australia for their support in this project and stated that the completion of this new entrance to the Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre fulfils a long held plan to provide visitors with a truly Japanese experience and demonstrates the ongoing cooperation between our two countries. (Ambassador’s speech text)
During the ceremony, Ambassador Kusaka said this Japanese garden has been visited by many Japanese and Australian citizens, and fosters the continuously enhancing relationship of our two countries after the great tragedy that took place in Cowra in 1944 during World War II where many Japanese soldiers died during their prison escape. Ambassador Kusaka also expressed his appreciation to Mr Gandel and Mitsubishi Australia for their support in this project and stated that the completion of this new entrance to the Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre fulfils a long held plan to provide visitors with a truly Japanese experience and demonstrates the ongoing cooperation between our two countries. (Ambassador’s speech text)
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| Ambassador Kusaka giving a speech |
 Kagami biraki (Mr Kibbler, Mr Gandel, Ambassador Kusaka and Mr Hirota) |
 Ambassador Kusaka, Mr Kibbler, Mr Gandel and Mr Hirota
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 Students from Keisei High School studying in Cowra |
 A copper plate on the gates |