Hi all –
Just to keep you posted with some great upcoming events and initiatives to have a good time while contributing to the ongoing relief efforts for the nuclear/quake/tsunami disaster (as well as some other interesting events).
Take a look through the following – I’m sure there will be at least one event you can get involved in!
It’s great to see how people are standing up in their own ways, both organisationally and individually, to support the country that has been such an important part of our lives.
Firstly, Support Net Niji no Kai, the local charity through which we have channeled our own fundraising to Red Cross Japan, have received a letter from the Prime Minister of Japan thanking them for their efforts. JETAAWA has played a significant role in those efforts and that thanks should be extended to everyone who has contributed, be it by volunteering, by attending the quiz night, by donating at kaiWA, or otherwise. Well done!
1. FORREST PLACE FUNDRAISER
To be specific, several JETAAWA members volunteered at the Friends of Japan fundraiser in Forrest Place on Saturday 9 April, where over $11,000 was raised. Although the motivation for the event was tragic, it was a great opportunity for the various Japan-Australia groups in WA to combine their strength. I hope that we can have similar events in the future in calmer times. (It seems that something may be in the works for next year.)
2. QUIZ NIGHT
Considering that the above amount was a joint effort involving the cooperation of the City of Perth, I am very proud that JETAAWA’s own fundraising via the Quiz Night and kaiWA was able to raise over $4,200. That was in large part thanks to the hard work of the committee and, in particular, our very generous sponsors. Thanks again to all concerned.
3. CHORAL EVENT
“SING FOR JAPAN”
For those willing to forgo (or record) the Western Derby, this Sunday 15 May there is a choral event, “Sing for Japan”, at St Stephens Uniting Church at 2 Mackenzie Rd Applecross. Admission is $10, with all proceeds going to the victims of the Japan disasters. Performing will be Choir Sakura, The Milky Way, Global Achord barbershop quartet, and youth choirs from various schools. A pdf is attached with further details:
4. MOVIE EVENT: PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN
JETAAWA member Rachelle Kearney has organised the following event, which we of course support. A flyer is also attached:
MOVIE NIGHT for JAPAN – FUNDRAISER @ Ace Cinemas Subiaco, May 31st!
Hi everyone!
The recent tragic disaster in Japan has hit very close to home for me. During my time in Japan as an ALT in ’08 and ’09 I lived in Tome, a small city in the prefecture of Miyagi, Tohoku. Luckily Tome itself is far enough away from the coast that it wasn’t affected by the tsunami, although the earthquake hit it with its full 9.0 intensity. Nearby towns like Ishinomaki, Minamisanriku and of course Sendai were not so lucky, and as the world now knows, sustained immense damage.
More than a month on, while the world has started to look at other things, my thoughts are still with the Tohoku residents who are still dealing day-to-day with the hardships of post-disaster life. Some of my ALT friends are still living and working in the affected areas, which has given me a pretty good idea of how tricky things have been on the ground. Funds are desperately needed to help people who have lost everything survive the aftermath of the disaster and begin to rebuild their lives.
For this reason I’m organising a fundraising movie night at Subiaco’s Ace Cinemas (Hay St). $10 from every standard ticket sold will go to the Red Cross’s Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal and also to SaveMiyagi.org, a charity set up by one of my American friends who was present in Miyagi at the time of the disaster, and purely by luck and circumstance is still with us today.
Event Details:
Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides
Date: 31st May 2011
Time: TBA, evening
Cost: $20 adults, $15 for seniors and school-aged kids
Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=153070884755277&ref=ts
To Purchase:
Contact me at rachelle.kearney@gmail.com or on 0438987160 and I’ll forward you the details… tickets can be purchased via Bank Deposit or Paypal.
Tickets MUST BE PURCHASED by May 24th, one week prior to the event.
JETAAWA and its friends have already helped to raise lots of valuable funds to help our dear friends in Japan find their way out of this tragedy – help me to do my part to raise a little more! Hope to hear from you soon.
Rachelle Kearney, ALT 08-09, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture.
5. PHOTOS
Simone Addison is also a JETAAWA member and was recently in Japan when the earthquake and tsunami hit the north-east coast. Since returning to Perth she has set up a Japan Disaster Relief Fund to help those in the affected areas.
Simone is a photographer and while she lived in Japan she took many beautiful photographs which are now available for purchase and profits will be donated to the Australian Red Cross (Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal 2011).
For more info visit http://www.simoneaddisonphotography.com.au/
6. JAPANITE
Our friends at Japanite are also combining entertainment with fundraising:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113032245448471
Japanite is ON Saturday 28th May @ a new venue “Bird” on 181 William street Northbridge from 8pm to 12 midnight.
@ this Japanite, we have a cute singer songwriter “Rei” from Singapore and an unique human beat box guy “Nitro (2106)” from Japan …plus popular Japanese DJs “DJ Rui & DJ Ayanni” on stage.
8pm-10pm : Chill out session (Rei performs @ 9pm)
10pm-12am: Party Time (Nitro performs @ 10pm)
DJs spin cool tunes in between.
Entry is $5 @ door and photo ID required due to 18+ event. Please be there early to avoid a queue.
As a Japan disaster relief, I’m trying to organize a donation box and fundrasing T-shirts. This is to be confirmed later.
At last, don’t forget to “Like” below Japanite fan page: http://www.facebook.com/JapaniteinPerth
Arigato and look forward to seeing all your lovely faces @ Japanite !
7. ASIA RESEARCH CENTRE: PUBLIC LECTURE
Below are details of the next Asia Research Centre Public Lecture, co-sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Professor Kenneth Chern, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Murdoch University will speak on “The Japan Nuclear Crisis: International Responses”, at 12.30pm on Wednesday 18th May.
The lecture will be held at the Level 8 Conference Room in Exchange Plaza, Sherwood Court.
Map:http://www.exchangeplaza.com.au/Core/Content/Location/Content2746.aspx?menuUT=1
More information is available in the attached flyer:
Attendance is free and open to everyone, but RSVP is required to Tamara Dent by 13th May at t.dent@murdoch.edu.au
8. DESIGN
It’s not a fundraiser, but from 17-31 May 2011, Gallery Central (the old TAFE gallery) is hosting Japanese Design Today 100 with the support of the Japan Foundation and the Consulate-General. The exhibition looks at the past and present achievements of Japanese design. Details are on the attached flyer:
9. CONFERENCE FOR RETURNING JETS
Last but certainly not least, JETAAWA member Margo Whittle was invited to Yokohama as a speaker for the 2011 Conference for Returning JETs which was held from February 21-23, 2011.
As you may recall, the Conference for Returning JETs is a conference that is held every year for participants finishing up their tenure on the programme, and aims to provide information to JETs about strategies regarding searching for employment, preparing for reverse-culture shock and dealing with the practicalities of returning home etc.
For the speakers, former JET participants who are working in various fields speak about their experiences and give advice on how JET participants might use their experience on the Programme to advance in their future careers. Margo gave a presentation about Japanese Teaching and also was on a panel for Life After JET (Australia), and gave a few one-on-one counselling sessions with JETs who are interested in teaching Japanese. It was a fabulous opportunity and she hopes that such conferences are able to be continued.
Thanks everyone – more details of JETAAWA activities to follow. Don’t forget kaiWA is on at 43 Below from 5:30pm on 19 May and 2, 16, 30 June. Come down and practise your Japanese, teach some English or just make new friends!
Nick John
President
JETAAWA
Mobile: +61 4 0808 3131
president@jetaawa.com