Japanese students’ Central Highlands adventure!

Central Highlands Regional Council welcomed 8 students and 2 chaperones from Ichinoseki, Japan earlier this month as part of the annual Sister City Exchange Program.

Selected from various schools in Ichinoseki, these students had the unique opportunity to experience Australian life firsthand.

Families of the Central Highlands students who travelled to Japan in June as part of the program hosted the visitors for a homestay experience.

Each homestay offered the students a different slice of life in the Central Highlands. Some of the highlights included a beach visit in Yeppoon, holding baby kangaroos with a wildlife rescuer, trying out a ride-on mower, enjoying steak and chips at a local pub, watching local footy games, and participating in backyard BBQs complete with marshmallow roasting around the fire.

The students also had the opportunity to attend Capella State High School, Emerald State High School and Blackwater State High School alongside their host students, giving them a taste of the Australian school experience.

The second phase of the exchange program was equally enriching, featuring a series of engaging tours to:

Council extends its heartfelt thanks to Jellinbah Mine, 2PH Farms and Vandyke Farm for their generous support and hospitality.

The exchange ended with an emotional farewell dinner, underscoring the deep bonds formed and the program’s success in building lifelong friendships.

This year’s Sister City Exchange Program has once again proven to be a valuable experience, strengthening ties between the two communities and creating lasting memories for all involved.