Warm welcome followed ice bath challenge

Published on 02 August 2024

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By Coffs Harbour standards it was brass monkeys as frosty winds and a huge ocean swell buffeted the coast. 

But five Japanese school students – visiting as part of the Coffs Harbour-Sasebo Sister City relationship – took it all in their stride. 

“They even got in the water, I think they were too polite to say no,” said City of Coffs Harbour Cr Jonathan Cassell, who was the Mayor’s representative at an official welcome. 

The Haiki Junior High School students were happy enough to get wet at Jetty Beach where they had a surfing lesson with the City’s Lifeguards. 

“Surfing was the best although the waves were a little high,” school teacher Yui Aso said. 

Shadowed by students from St John Paul College, the Japanese children aged from 13 to 15 are enjoying a week at Coffs Harbour, before flying out on Sunday after a half-day tour of Sydney. 

“They had the courage to get in the water on a very cold day. Importantly, Sister City engagements like this open opportunities for both communities,” Cr Cassell said. 

The Japanese students itinerary included Sealy Lookout, a guided rainforest tour and a trip to the Big Banana Fun Park. 

The Japanese city of Sasebo and Coffs Harbour have enjoyed a close relationship since 1953 when student exchanges began with the Seiwa Girls College in Sasebo. The two cities signed a sister city affiliation in 1988. 

A delegation of officials from Sasebo came to Coffs last year to mark the 35th anniversary of the founding of the relationship. 

“It’s been great to welcome these students to our City because their generation is the future,” Cr Cassell said. 

 

Photo: City of Coffs Harbour Cr Jonathan Cassell with students from Haiki Junior High School and St John Paul College and other delegates at Park Beach.