All photos © JETAAWA

November is always the busiest month for JETAAWA and this year is no exception. We have some big events we are organising or involved in and some other news to report – read on!

1. CAREERS SEMINAR
Every year JETAAWA organises this seminar for students, ex-JETs and others who are interested in working in a Japanese company or in Japanese-related industries either in Australia or globally.

This year the seminar is from 545pm (starting 6pm sharp) on Tuesday 8 November 2011 at UWA Social Sciences Lecture Theatre 1. Details are on facebook here.

A number of speakers will be presenting at the seminar to talk about how they began employment and their experiences. Speakers will include those from resources, commercial, educational, translation and other professional fields, many of whom participated in JET themselves.There will also be a presentation on the JET Programme itself, for prospective participants.

The seminar is a great introduction to Japan-related careers and an opportunity to meet with people who are using Japanese knowledge in the workplace.

Entry is free and open to all so please RSVP to employ@jetaawa.com or on facebook ASAP!

2. RETURNEES HANAMI

On Sunday 20 November 2011 from 3pm-7pmish, we will be holding a combined hanami – returnees welcome-back party under the beautiful jacaranda in Hyde Park in North Perth.

Some food will be provided but drinks are BYO, except for the returnees: we’ve got you covered with some cho-traditional beer and tantakatan to get you in the mood to pen some haiku and reminisce under the purple.

Please RSVP to president@jetaawa.com by 18 November. This is open to the general public but we need RSVPs so don’t just show up!

3. CHARITY GYOZA
On Sunday 27 November 2011 we will be cooking gyoza in “Genki Japan”, the Japanese Association’s reformed bunkasai, which this year is a fundraiser for the nuclear/natural disasters that have affected Japan since March this year.

Entry is from 9:30 with stalls and a charity concert starting from 10am and running until 3pm. The venue is the Japanese School in Perth, 20 Kalinda Drive, City Beach.

Come along and enjoy the authentic matsuri atmosphere, JETAAWA’s ever-popular gyoza, and your contribution to charity.
If you are interested in helping cook at some stage throughout the day, then please contact president@jetaawa.com – you would be most welcome!

4. JAPANESE HISTORY CONFERENCE
Murdoch University is hosting an international conference, the 4th Japanese History Workshop Australia, inviting 24 scholars from 13 universities in 7 countries to Murdoch campus. Keynote Speakers are Professor Richard Rubinger (University of Indiana, USA), Professor Koichiro Matsuda (Rikkyo University, Japan) and Dr Barak Kushner (University of Cambridge, UK).

When: From Wednesday 30 November to Friday 2 December, 2011
Where: ECL Lecture Theatre 3, Murdoch University (Murdoch campus, South Street, Murdoch)
RSVP: by Wednesday 16 November to Tamara Dent at t.dent@murdoch.edu.au or 9360 2263
Please see the flyer attached for further details. JETAAWA members are welcome to attend.

• Japanese History Workshop Australia 2011 (PDF)

5. kaiWA
kaiWA continues every second Thursday from 530pm at 43 Below on the corner of Hay and Barrack Streets. It’s a great place to polish your Japanese, make new friends and help Japanese tourists get to know the real Perth.
Upcoming dates are 3/11 and 17/11.

Check them out at www.billabongcamping.com and speak with Cassie for more information.  They also run a range of extended tours.

(1)
First, let us remind you that this Sunday, 26 June 2011, JETAAWA is hosting the annual Winter Matsuri bus tour. There are a small number of seats still available so RSVP ASAP if you are interested, to social@jetaawa.com. Our Social Rep will give you the bank details – no pay = no ride!

The bus departs Barrack St Jetty at 10 a.m. sharp (be there by 945!) and returns by 5 p.m.
Refreshments are provided on the bus, as well as fun cross-cultural activities… and super prizes!
The Matsuri is a cultural and culinary tour of the Swan Valley and includes:

Visits to three wineries with free tastings
Nougat factory visit with free tasting
Chocolate factory with free tasting
Brewery visit
Free coffee tasting
Cultural activities on the bus

More than that, it’s a chance to impart Aussie culture to Japanese participants and brush up on your Japanese language and culture heading the other way.
This event is open to everyone, not only JETAAWA members.
Beauty!

(2)
Secondly, the 2011 cohort of JETs are confirmed and eagerly awaiting their JETAAWA sayonara send-off from 19:00 on Saturday 2 July 2011.
As usual, it will be held at Restaurant Jun (568 Hay Street, down the alley and in the basement behind the red door) and just $15 gets you a meal and drinks. Bargain!
Please RSVP to vp@jetaawa.com and pay on the night. RSVPs are due in by Wednesday 29 June 2011.
This is always a great chance to have a great, authentic izakaya meal, catch up with friends, exchange stories and let the leavers know what they’re in for (as well as give them useful advice that we can’t always give them in formal settings). Hope to see you there! Please note, this event is only open to JETAAWA members.

(3)
JETAA Queensland continue to fight the good fight for those suffering in Japan.
The relief efforts will be ongoing for some time yet – please refer to the attached pdf for ways to help.

Cheers! Remember kaiWA is on 30/6 and every 2 weeks thereafter. Details at jetaawa.com.

Nick John
President
JETAAWA
Mobile: +61 4 0808 3131
president@jetaawa.com

Hot off the presses first is the announcement of our annual Winter Matsuri to the Swan Valley.
This is always a great event for JETAAWA members to catch up and for Japanese participants to learn about some of the great produce WA has to offer.
This year’s edition is on Sunday 26 June 2011. The bus (from a new, reliable company!) departs Barrack Street Jetty 10:00 sharp and returns by 17:00.
Tickets are $25, which includes transport, visits to 2 wineries with tastings, a nougat factory visit with free tasting, a chocolate factory visit with free tasting, a brewery visit and refreshments and cultural activities on the bus.
$25 is a pretty excellent price for this kind of event!
Lunch is BYO or buy on course.
This always sells out quickly. There are limited spots available, so please RSVP to social@jetaawa.com ASAP!
We’ll give you the EFT details for payment in advance.

Next is a Japan travel update via DFAT.

The advisory for travel to Japan has been updated and is now at a reduced level.

The overall Japan advisory level is currently ‘Be alert to own security’.

Travel advice to the affected coastal areas of Northern Honshu is to ‘reconsider’, while travel within 80km of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant is advised against.

View the travel advisory at: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Japan
We’d also like to recognise the great efforts of JETAAWA member Rachelle Kearney, who as you may recall recently organised a fundraising movie night for the relief efforts in Japan.
Rachelle managed to raise over $1000 for the cause, which is a pretty awesome effort. Great work!

Finally, there’s an interesting discussion of the recent film Departures (okuribito) at the Hyogo Cultural Centre on Tuesday, June 14th from 4pm to 6pm.
This seminar will introduce participants to the themes and characters of the academy award-winning film: (http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/12066/departures).
It’s aimed at Japanese language educators including native speakers and advanced students in senior secondary, but all are welcome. The presenters demonstrate intercultural language teaching and learning activities through the film.
The session will be presented in Japanese. Participants might like to view the film on DVD in advance. (The DVD is available at major local retailers).
If you are interested in attending, please contact Hyogo Cultural Centre at hyogoprogram@iinet.net.au or on 9385 9002. A flyer is attached:

• After school seminar – Departures Flyer

Look forward to seeing you at the Winter Matsuri!

Nick John
President
JETAAWA
Mobile: +61 4 0808 3131
president@jetaawa.com

This update is just to let you lock in 2 big dates, 25 and 30 March 2011, for our AGM and Quiz Night respectively. Details as follows…

1. AGM

The AGM will be on Friday 25 March 2011 from 1800 for an 1830 start at 43 Below, corner of Hay & Barrack Streets, where kaiWA is held.
Attendance is free and includes nibbles and refreshments.
Part of the night involves committee elections for 2011-2012, for which the following people have currently nominated.
As you can see, there are lots of openings!

President:
Vice-President:
Secretary:
Treasurer: Luke Eaton (incumbent)
Social Rep:
Media Rep: Karen Le Blanc (incumbent)
Webmaster:
Careers Rep:
Promos Rep:
General Member:
Kelly Banz, Emma Wilson, Paula Bonetti, Jacqui Lengkeek, Andrew Paterson, Cecily Arkell, Matthew Stott

If you are interested in attending and/or nominating, please RSVP ASAP: president@jetaawa.com.
This one is only open to JETAAWA members.
Thanks!

2. QUIZ NIGHT

The quiz night will be on Wednesday 30 March 2011 from 1900 for a 1915 SHARP start at UWA Tavern (18+ only).
Attendance is $5, which covers pre-quiz snacks and more substantial food later. A pdf is attached.
The quiz night is open to everyone, not only JETAAWA members!

We had over 100 participants last year and hope to hit that mark again in 2011. The quiz night is always fun and a great chance to catch up or make new friends.
Questions are generally themed, although there are some JP/AU posers too.

Tables are of 8, but you can RSVP in whatever numbers you like and leave it to us to assemble fair and fun teams.
Please RSVP to president@jetaawa.com ASAP and by Saturday 19 March at the latest.

Thanks!

Nick John
President
JETAAWA
Mobile: +61 4 0808 3131
president@jetaawa.com

Welcome to the year of the rabbit!
Our first news update will be short but sweet. Your no. 1 priority is RSVPing to the picnic and nominating for the 2011-12 committee!

1. FAMILY PICNIC
We are holding our annual picnic again at Kings Park’s Synergy Parkland, which is closest to the Saw Avenue entrance to the park.
The picnic will be from around 11:00 on Sunday 27 February 2011.
We aim to have an Aussie BBQ; a Japanese okonomiyaki fry-up; an Aussie footy/cricket clinic; a Japanese melon-bashing; etc. etc. (including music and stilts!)
It will be a celebration of both cultures and a family-friendly event. Food and drink are provided but we need to know RSVPs soon: president@jetaawa.com.
Those who have been before will know it is lots of fun, so come and down and feel free to bring along friends interested in Japanese or Australian culture. No wasters though!

2. QUIZ NIGHT
We are trying to set a date in March to hold the gala Quiz Night and will update you ASAP.

3. AGM
The date of the AGM will depend on the date for the Quiz Night, so stay tuned – it will likely be a Friday night in March.
As always, we will hold elections for all positions on the committee, and for General Member positions.
Being a General Member of the committee is a great way to stay involved in JETAAWA while not having the responsibility (or enjoyment!) of an official role.
This year, Richard Southern, Karen Carter, Paula Bonetti, Tim Hoff, Natalie Garmony and Andrew Paterson have gone over and above what is expected of General Members, which has made things much easier for the entire committee, especially with the Regional Conference.

To all JETAAWA members, please let us know ASAP at president@jetaawa.com if you are interested in any of the following positions, which are all open, as always.
We would love to have a good mix of recent returnees and grizzled veterans!

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Social Rep
Promos Rep
Media Rep
Webmaster
Employment Rep
General Member

4. JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Some little birds have told us about the following employment opportunities.
We’ve missed the deadline for the first one but you could always give it a try anyway!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT * * *

Employment: Position Available

Australian Embassy: Events Manager

The Australian Embassy is seeking a motivated and outgoing bilingual person to manage all aspects of events and functions held in the Embassy. The person will coordinate and plan events, and liaise with organisations using the Embassy as a venue for events. Duties will include: logistics (including catering and venue set-up), budget management, sponsorship planning and contingency planning. The position is available in March 2011.

For more information, view the job description and the selection criteria.

Applications addressing the selection criteria and a current CV should be submitted to jobstokyo@dfat.gov.au by 9am on Monday, 17 JAN 2011.

Download Application Cover Sheet
A Japanese mother is also looking for an English tutor for her and her pre-primary son. They live in South Perth and Monday or Wednesday mornings for 60-90 minutes are best. Please let us know if you are interested with your rates: president@jetaawa.com.

5. JAPANITE

Japanite is on again this Saturday 22 January. The promo runs like so and the flyer is attached:

Japanite is ON again in 2011 @ new venue which is Bar 138 on Barrack street
on Saturday 22nd January from 8pm.
This time Japanite features Japanese Oishi- (Yammy) Taste which is
Edamame (boiled soy beans), Japanese Sake & Shochu.
Japanese DJs, performance, Cute yukata girls are of course on the list.

To all friends, I would like to offer a discounted entry($7p/p) including a welcome drink.
Please just say the password “Akeome” which is a short form of Happy new year in Japanese.

We’re always looking for performers such as singer,dancers etc.
So if you know anyone who’s got a talent, please contact me.

At last, I would like to thank you all for your warm support to Japanite
and hope we can have more FUN this year !

Please don’t forget to bring a photo ID such as a passport or Australian
drivers license and pass this invite to all your friends. Arigato !!!

6. kaiWA

kaiWA for Jan-Feb is 27 January, 10 February, 27 February.
It’s the perfect way to keep in touch with Japanese and Japan in a casual atmosphere, so come down to 43 Below from 5:30-late and have a chat!

All photos © JETAAWA

All photos © JETAAWA