Over the last 35 years, the bond between the Mitchell Shire and a town in Japan has developed – becoming the base of cultural celebration and international friendship.

This connection was reconfirmed last September, when the Mitchell Honbetsu Sister City Association concluded another cultural exchange, with 26 high school students and five adults making the trip from sister city Honbetsu, Japan.

The local committee was also honoured with a visit from Japanese Consul-General Tokuro Furuya at the official welcome afternoon tea.

He praised their dedication to maintaining this vibrant, long-standing relationship and highlighted how grassroots programs strengthen ties between Australia and Japan.

In its 35th year, the association, which is one of the most active groups of its kind in the state, will be celebrating the original signing between Mitchell Shire and the Japanese town.

Committee member Gayle Phillips said the program was a valuable learning experience, not only for the visiting exchange students, but also for the local hosts.

“The opportunity for students and adults that live in a rural area to meet up with students from such a distance as Japan is not to be underestimated,” Ms Phillips said.

“The students embrace the opportunity to make new friends, pen pals, and they learn about Japanese culture on a more intimate level.

“They show pride in showing the Japanese students their surroundings, scenery, farm life, school life, Aussie lifestyle in general, AFL or soccer.

“They learn that there are other ways of doing the same thing, and that both ways can be right. It teaches them empathy and understanding.”

The committee is supported by Wallan Secondary College and Seymour College, which each host visiting students, providing them with the opportunity to form connections and learn.

The committee said Mitchell Shire Council and Bendigo Bank, Wallan were also supportive in delivering last year’s visit, and local businesses and groups were involved in key events that took place over the four-day stay.

In September this year, the association is planning an outbound delegation trip to Honbetsu, involving a five-night stay with local families – meeting first in Sapporo and then travelling by train to Honbetsu.

Honbetsu Town Council will warmly welcome the group for five days of cultural immersion – experiencing Japanese lifestyle, education, cuisine, sightseeing and building lasting community friendships.

“It is always amazing to watch the bonding of the students, especially when they first meet, language is no barrier, and we call it Honbetsu magic,” Ms Phillips said.

“When we send our students over to Honbetsu, they come back from the trip more confident, with more self-esteem, and more experienced from travelling so far from home.”

In October, the committee will be welcoming another visit of about 24 students and five adults to the Mitchell Shire.

The tentative dates are planned for Friday, October 16 to Tuesday, October 20.

The committee is now seeking local families to host a student or two for the four-night stay – a rewarding experience and an ideal chance to learn about another culture.

For more information on travelling to Japan in September or hosting a student in October, register your interest by emailing mitchell.honbetsu@gmail.com

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Saturday, 20th November 2027

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