Mackay is once again rolling out the welcome mat for its Sister City, with ten students from Matsuura, Japan visiting this week as part of a long-standing cultural exchange.
Mayor Greg Williamson formally welcomed the delegation last Friday during a civic reception, highlighting the enduring strength of the 35-year relationship between the two cities.
“This is the continuation of a 35-year relationship with our sister city in Japan, Matsura,” he said.
“Every other year we send students across to Matsura on an exchange and then they send students here.”
Many of the visiting students, aged 15, are travelling outside Japan for the first time. The week-long program aims to immerse them in Australian culture, offering everything from classroom experiences at a local high school to beach visits, bush dances, and tasting iconic Aussie foods.
“Most of these students wouldn’t have been outside Japan before,” the Mayor said.
“It’s building that cultural relationship, but it’s building the people-to-people relationship, which is really important for world relationships.”
“They’ll get to see things like the platypus and the beaches… it’s just that relationship building that’s very, very important for our relationships internationally.”
Mayor Williamson also hinted at some of the more memorable culinary moments the students could expect.
“We’ve got pies on the agenda with this lunch today… but they’ll get a great range of Aussie foods: barbecues, fish and chips, and hopefully an experience of Vegemite as well.”
Among the excited students were Kaya Yamashita and Ayana Maeda, who said they were glad to be in Mackay and eager to communicate in English with new friends.
“It’s our first time in Australia,” they said.
“We want to communicate in English with our friends.”
“The people are very friendly, nice and warm.”
Another student, Soataka, shared his excitement about staying with a local host family.
“I’m staying with an Australian family for a week to learn about Australian culture and the people,” he said. Having studied English for 10 years, Soataka said he found Mackay “very interesting” and was keen to practise his language skills in real life.
During their visit, the students will also tour Matsuura Gardens and spend time with local families to deepen their understanding of life in regional Australia.
The Sister City relationship between Mackay and Matsuura continues to foster goodwill, cultural appreciation and lifelong friendships across borders.
Cultural ties shine as ten students from Matsuura, Japan, visit Mackay to experience Aussie life, marking 35 years of the Sister City relationship with a week of friendship, food, and cultural exchange. Photos supplied
Kaya Yamashita and Ayana Maeda, both 15, are among the many students visiting Australia for the first time. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
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