JETAAWA News – 19 March 2012

Hi everyone.

(1) First things first: get in FAST if you would still like to RSVP for the JETAAWA-JapSSoc charity quiz night.

It starts at 7pm sharp, running until around 930-10, this Thursday 22 March 2012 at UWA Tavern as always. A flyer is attached.

As those who have been before will know, it is great fun and there are always plenty of prizes to go round even if you don’t win the quiz itself!

Tables are of 8, but you don’t need a full table to come along. We will make sure you make new friends on the night!

Please RSVP ASAP if you are keen so we can make sure you sit with your friends or otherwise get a good team!

Entry is $10 (pay at the door). Food is included, and drinks are available from the bar. All profits go to Red Cross Japan for disaster relief in NE Japan. Last year we raised over $4000, and we’re hoping to get a good showing again in 2012!

This is an 18+ event and is open to members and non-members alike!

(Note there will be no kaiWA this week due to the quiz night.)

(2) Next up is Japanite, from 6-11pm this Saturday 24 March. !

(3) Then, next Friday 30 March 2012, it’s time for our AGM.(from 5:30 for 6:00 at 43 Below, on the corner of Hay and Barrack streets, Perth).
Refreshments will be provided.

The AGM involves a wrap of our year followed by election of the new committee. Then the good times roll!

As always, all positions are open for nomination, so please nominate yourself! The positions and descriptions are:

President: pretty self-explanatory
Vice-President: ditto
Treasurer: keeps the accounts, reimburses members
Secretary: records minutes, arranges meetings
Social Rep: organises and advertises events
Media Rep: organises newsletters
Employment Rep: organises careers events
Webmaster: maintains website
Promos Rep: organises promotional material and JET info sessions
General Member: contributes wherever possible

In reality, everyone does a little bit of everything on the JETAAWA committee. We love having lots of General Members, who aren’t necessarily tied down to any position (even though everyone just helps one another anyway) but still contribute to event organisation and other matters whenever they have the capacity.

Being on the committee in any capacity allows you to stay involved with and continue contributing to and benefiting from Japan and the WA-Japan community. Not only that: you will also get invites to swanky functions!

We welcome new members to the committee. If you would like to nominate or renominate, please reply by Monday 26 March 2012. If you would like to attend the AGM but don’t want to necessarily nominate, the same applies! We hope to see you all there. This one is for JETAAWA members only.

(4) Thanks to all those who attended and helped organise the Okonomiyaki BBQ yesterday. In a beautiful location just off Fraser Ave in Kings Park adults and kids all enjoyed freshly-cooked hot dogs and okonomiyaki, as well as cricket, suika-wari and a friendly chat! Some photos are attached.

(5) Finally, from Monday 26 – Wednesday 28 March 2012 the Consulate-General is hosting a brief Japanese Anime Film Festival over three nights, at the State Library Theatre with the films and dates below. Tickets are free of charge. Doors open at 6.30pm and films will start showing shortly after 7pm. Reservations are necessary and will be accepted from Monday, March 19 at  info@pt.mofa.go.jp Please be sure to include your name, which film you would like to see, how many tickets you would like, and a contact phone number.

Monday, March 26  Summer Wars (114 mins, 2009, Rated PG)
Kenji is good at math, bad with girls, and spends most of his time hanging out in the all-powerful, online community known as OZ. The girl of his dreams, Natsuki, hijacks him for a starring role as a fake fiancé at her family reunion. Things only get stranger from there. A late-night email containing a mathematic riddle leads to the unleashing of a rogue Artificial Intelligence intent on using OZ to destroy the real world. As Armageddon looms, Kenji and his new “family” set aside their differences and band together in this “near-perfect blend of social satire and science fiction,” which won the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year in 2010.

©2009 SUMMERWARS FILM PARTNERS

Tuesday, March 27  Pom Poko (119 mins, 1994, Rated PG)
Pom Poko is a tale of the clash between modern civilization and the natural world. The Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans. In often hilarious ways, the Raccoons use their powers to try to scare off the advancement of civilization. But will it be enough? Or will the Raccoons learn how to live in balance with the modern world?

© 1994 Hatake Jimusho – GNH
Wednesday, March 28  My Neighbor Totoro (86 mins, 1988, Rated G)
Two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, have moved with their father into a new home in the country, while their mother recovers from illness in a nearby hospital. To their surprise, they soon discover that they share this home with some rather unusual creatures and even stranger neighbours – forest guardians that the girls dub Totoro. When trouble occurs, their new friends will help them rediscover hope. Dearly loved and critically regarded worldwide, the magical My Neighbor Totoro is a heart-warming tale of innocence and the power of belief that will delight viewers of all ages.

Thanks!

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