Guest Speaker Haruo (Haru) Tanaka, our inbound exchange student tonight, celebrating our Rotary Youth Exchange Program.
Haruo (Haru) Tanaka, is from Ishikawa Prefecture, Island of Honshu, Japan. Haru arrived in July and is currently with her first host family, the Dredges. (Anthony, Tomi, Josh, Oliver, Benji and Heidi).
Haru gave a delightfully enthusiastic insight into her exchange so far, immersing herself in country life and loving all opportunities offered to her to experience Australian culture.
The geographical comparison of Japan and Australia showed Australia as being 20 times bigger than Japan, though the population of Japan is 5 times greater than Australia! Kanazawa is on the west coast of Honshu, approximately on opposite coast from Tokyo. It’s autumn in the northern hemisphere and it snows in winter!
Haru lives with her father, mother and two cats, and as a family they enjoy fishing, camping and hiking. She listed her hobbies as food (particularly sweets), sports, friends, shopping, karaoke, and in particular, Yasokoi, a traditional dance which she enjoys doing together with her mother.
She lists her favourite Australian things so are as TimTams, Pavlova, Koalas, Wombats, Possums, Kangaroos and is trying Vegemite! Other highlights have been an AFL football game in at the MCG, Healesville Sanctuary, the Chocolaterie at Yarra Glen and a visit to Marysville.
Another highlight was in October the 2024 inbound students joined up to do the Tropical Trek, a 7 day visit to the Great Barrier Reef, travelling to Airlie Beach and enjoying the opportunity to snorkel, swim and explore the coral reefs.
Haru concluded her presentation by dressing in traditional dance costume and demonstrating the Yakosoi dancing. She used percussion sticks and a fan complete the performance.
Thankyou Haru, that was a enlightening presentation.
Haruo (Haru) Tanaka, is from Ishikawa Prefecture, Island of Honshu, Japan. Haru arrived in July and is currently with her first host family, the Dredges. (Anthony, Tomi, Josh, Oliver, Benji and Heidi).Haru gave a delightfully enthusiastic insight into her exchange so far, immersing herself in country life and loving all opportunities offered to her to experience Australian culture.
The geographical comparison of Japan and Australia showed Australia as being 20 times bigger than Japan, though the population of Japan is 5 times greater than Australia! Kanazawa is on the west coast of Honshu, approximately on opposite coast from Tokyo. It’s autumn in the northern hemisphere and it snows in winter!
Haru lives with her father, mother and two cats, and as a family they enjoy fishing, camping and hiking. She listed her hobbies as food (particularly sweets), sports, friends, shopping, karaoke, and in particular, Yasokoi, a traditional dance which she enjoys doing together with her mother.
She lists her favourite Australian things so are as TimTams, Pavlova, Koalas, Wombats, Possums, Kangaroos and is trying Vegemite! Other highlights have been an AFL football game in at the MCG, Healesville Sanctuary, the Chocolaterie at Yarra Glen and a visit to Marysville.
Another highlight was in October the 2024 inbound students joined up to do the Tropical Trek, a 7 day visit to the Great Barrier Reef, travelling to Airlie Beach and enjoying the opportunity to snorkel, swim and explore the coral reefs.
Haru concluded her presentation by dressing in traditional dance costume and demonstrating the Yakosoi dancing. She used percussion sticks and a fan complete the performance.
Thankyou Haru, that was a enlightening presentation.
Co-hosts the Rotary Club of Broadmeadows, who are co-hosting Haru’s exchange with Yea. Broadmeadows initially joined the exchange program but found they were unable to undertake the hosting, and a timely connection through Sue put Yea in a position to take on the hosting. Sandra, a Friend of Broadmeadows Rotary, who had the experience of doing an ex-change to Japan in 1987, spoke of the lifelong opportunities it has given her and she is an active advocate for the Exchange Program.
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| Haru in traditional dance dress | Broadmeadows Rotary Club members—Don, Joan, Darcy, Judith and Sandra with Haru. | Judith and Darcy presented Haru with their 60th Anniversary Book |
Outbound Exchange Student Andrew Foster
President Penny introduced 2025 outbound ex-change student, sponsored by Yea Rotary Club, Andrew Foster, who will depart in January for 12 months in Hanover, Germany. Andrew is a student at Yea High School, and last weekend was present-ed with his blazer, which he is very proud of. An-drew is very excited about his exchange and is looking forward to all the opportunities it offers, in particularly the chance to take part in the Euro bus tour which visits many European countries.
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| 2025 Outbound Student - Andrew Foster with mum and dad. | Andrew | Ongoing supporters and hosts of the exchange program - Amanda Hard with Nick and Milly. |
Thank you Yea Primary School — Grade 6 student leaders and parents,
led by Lyndal, for another fabulous meal.