MITCHELL Shire recently played host to a delegation of 31 students and five adult leaders from Honbetsu, Japan, further strengthening the sister bond that has connected the two communities for decades.
Arriving on February 7, the delegation was warmly welcomed by their homestay families, who generously opened their homes and shared the culture and beauty of Mitchell Shire and its surrounds. Over the weekend, the students experienced Australian life firsthand, enjoying time with their host families while forming new friendships.
Throughout their stay, the delegation participated in a variety of cultural and educational activities, including school visits, a karate class with GKR Karate, and a tour of Melbourne’s CBD. These activities offered the Honbetsu students valuable insights into local history and Australian traditions while allowing them to share their own culture with the Mitchell Shire community.
A special welcome event was held to celebrate the delegation’s visit, attended by local officials, community groups, and Consul General of Japan Furuya Tokuro. The event highlighted the importance of international friendships and recognised the dedication of those involved in the sister city program.
The Mitchell Honbetsu Sister City Association expressed its gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of the visit, including homestay families, community groups such as the Wandong and Heathcote Junction Community Group, Bendigo Bank, Wallan Secondary College, Sutherland Street Kindergarten, and Crumbs & Co Wandong, Wallan Ice Cream Van, and Kilmore Bowls Club. Their support helped create an unforgettable experience for both the visiting students and the local community.
With the growing success of the exchange program, the association has confirmed that another large delegation from Honbetsu is expected to visit in September 2025. The committee is now calling for host families to assist and ensure that this meaningful cultural connection continues to thrive.
For those interested in being involved, an expression of interest can be requested from mitchell.honbetsu@gmail.com.