On behalf of the Sapporo Journey Committee I would like to commend our club on a wonderful journey (alias exchange). Everyone involved made such a great effort to ensure all went well. The feedback from our Japanese Ambassadors from Sapporo has been flattering to our club.

With the Boards approval we decided to take our Ambassadors to Cowra for the weekend. There were 43 of us and we had Laurence Ryan from The Cowra Breakout Association speak to us at the War Graves site. The story of Cowra was hidden in history and our Ambassadors and club members were moved to tears by the talk Laurence gave. A Wreath was laid and then the Ambassadors sang a song to the dead soldiers. During the War the Japanese staged the biggest ever breakout in history and many deaths resulted from it. After the war ended, local returned soldiers tended the war graves and that action bought about the creation of the spiritual home of Japan in Australia. By the time Laurence finished talking we all realised we had participated in an event that embodies Friendship Force and I for one was very proud to be a part of it.

During the week our Ambassadors went to an Aboriginal Cultural centre, Jenolan Caves and enjoyed the sights of the Blue Mountains. We also had lots of fun with our warm and generous Ambassadors and can't wait to visit Sapporo in Japan.

Faye Post-Ambassador Coordinator (alias Exchange Director)