[Jarred Santos]

When in Australia…​

Image Credit: Facebook/National Archives of Australia

This blast from the past was taken in 1972, and it shows an Aussie bloke teaching a Japanese man — wearing their traditional garb and all — how to throw a boomerang!

Now I don’t know about you, but something about this slice of time forever frozen through a photograph depicts the world-renowned trait of Australians’ friendliness and openness in all its glory. Do you reckon they went out for a beer at the local pub after? Haha!

Have you ever had a chance to introduce how life Down Under is to tourists or foreigners in our neck of the woods? Tell us here! We’d love to hear your stories.

EDIT: I'm so sorry, I must clarify that if ever you do want to share, it doesn't have to be with Japanese people specifically, members!

 

[AnnetteHawkes]

When our disabled daughter was in high school she was learning Japanese so wanted to host a student. We did and this started a long association with Japan. The following year the manager from the company we hosted for rang me and asked if we could host a girl in a wheelchair, we did and I was then asked to work for the company, I eventually became Regional Manager for WA.
Our daughter went on to study Japanese at university which meant spending 10 months in Himeji, Japan. Not easy for someone who is in a wheelchair but we made it happen with the help of her university, she was treated like a celebrity being the first significantly disabled person to study there.
We have welcomed 34 Japanese people into our home ranging in age from 11 to 50. It was nice to see their reactions to our different lifestyle. It was such a pleasure to host them and it was also fun for our other children.

 

[Gsr]

When our children were in high school we hosted a Japanese student and two American students. We took them all to our local zoo to meet some Aussie animals, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, to name a few, as well as some Australian birds. We also took them into the bush where they got to see kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, a koala up a tree, a platypus in a creek. When we were with the Japanese student we also came across an echidna which she got to watch burying itself into the ground until it wasn’t visible at all. It was interesting to watch the amazement on these girls faces to seeing some of our Aussie animals and birds. We also took them to visit burning mountain, which is a burning coal seam under the ground with fumes coming out of the cracks in the ground. They were fascinated seeing this. Our son tried to teach them how to throw a boomerang which was hilarious to watch especially since he isn’t very good at it. They also got to try playing a didgeridoo, that was interesting and funny to watch. Our daughter still keeps in touch with the three young ladies, and has visited with the American ladies in America. She is going to Japan in 2025 and will catch up with her Japanese friend then.

 

[Jarred Santos]

When our disabled daughter was in high school she was learning Japanese so wanted to host a student. We did and this started a long association with Japan. The following year the manager from the company we hosted for rang me and asked if we could host a girl in a wheelchair, we did and I was then asked to work for the company, I eventually became Regional Manager for WA.
Our daughter went on to study Japanese at university which meant spending 10 months in Himeji, Japan. Not easy for someone who is in a wheelchair but we made it happen with the help of her university, she was treated like a celebrity being the first significantly disabled person to study there.
We have welcomed 34 Japanese people into our home ranging in age from 11 to 50. It was nice to see their reactions to our different lifestyle. It was such a pleasure to host them and it was also fun for our other children.

Wow, this is amazing @Akldhawkes! They're well-known for their politeness and neatness. I was wondering if you experienced these as well?

When our children were in high school we hosted a Japanese student and two American students. We took them all to our local zoo to meet some Aussie animals, koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, to name a few, as well as some Australian birds. We also took them into the bush where they got to see kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, a koala up a tree, a platypus in a creek. When we were with the Japanese student we also came across an echidna which she got to watch burying itself into the ground until it wasn’t visible at all. It was interesting to watch the amazement on these girls faces to seeing some of our Aussie animals and birds. We also took them to visit burning mountain, which is a burning coal seam under the ground with fumes coming out of the cracks in the ground. They were fascinated seeing this. Our son tried to teach them how to throw a boomerang which was hilarious to watch especially since he isn’t very good at it. They also got to try playing a didgeridoo, that was interesting and funny to watch. Our daughter still keeps in touch with the three young ladies, and has visited with the American ladies in America. She is going to Japan in 2025 and will catch up with her Japanese friend then.

How nice, @Gsr! That's how you know they got the full Aussie experience --- when they're putting in the work to have a relationship despite the time and distance

 

[AnnetteHawkes]

Wow, this is amazing @Akldhawkes! They're well-known for their politeness and neatness. I was wondering if you experienced these as well?

How nice, @Gsr! That's how you know they got the full Aussie experience --- when they're putting in the work to have a relationship despite the time and distance

Yes most are very polite and neat.
When we hosted the girl in a wheelchair the rest of the group and the teacher didn't treat her very well, so I was worried if our daughter would be ok over there. She was treated with respect.

 

[Jarred Santos]

Yes most are very polite and neat.
When we hosted the girl in a wheelchair the rest of the group and the teacher didn't treat her very well, so I was worried if our daughter would be ok over there. She was treated with respect.

That's great to know, @Akldhawkes! A bit curious too about the 50-year-old you hosted. What were they doing in Australia? And was interacting with them easier or harder than, say, the 11-year-old?

 

[AnnetteHawkes]

The 50 year old was a teacher of the group of school students and they were easier to host as their English was a lot better. The younger ones were usually kept busy with our younger sons who played AFL. It was funny watching them try to kick a footy.