Hobsons Bay recently played host to children from Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, devastated by last year’s earthquake and tsunami. Six students were invited to Williamstown High School’s junior campus, staying with Australian families for two weeks. Some of the students’ fees for the project were paid for through the sale of charity calendars, which are available by emailing charitycalendaratmelb@hotmail.co.jp, or ring 0432 332 36. Visit organiser Midori Akimoto said: “We hope that these students will in future work as bridges between Japan and Australia.” Brenton (pictured, from left), year 8, Kazu and Kazuki, both in year 9, and Scott, year 8, spoke about the Australian and Japanese cultures and life for the Japanese people after the quake.
