Western Australia’s all-encompassing hub for Japanese language, education and culture has a fresh lease of life following the signing of a three-year funding agreement by INPEX Ichthys Pty Ltd, (INPEX) with the Australia-Japan Society of Westralia Australia (AJSWA) to support the Japan Education and Cultural Centre of Western Australia (JECCWA).
This new commitment was formally announced on 17 August at the AJSWA’s 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner.
AJSWA President Ben Wholagan said the INPEX funding was invaluable to support the ongoing
operations of JECCWA, located in Tuart Hill, which the society opened in February this year.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome INPEX as our foundation supporter,” he said.
“This agreement is significant and will support the operations of JECCWA and the services and programmes it offers across Perth and Western Australia (WA).“It is especially pleasing to be able to make this announcement as we celebrate 50 years of providing voluntary service to Perth’s Japanese and Australian communities.”
Mr Wholagan said it was a significant achievement for a not-for-profit volunteer organisation to create JECCWA and build on the legacy of the former Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre.
“Initially established as part of the WA-Hyogo Sister State relationship, the former Hyogo Cultural Centre was a real asset for Japanese education and cultural learning, so when the centre was under threat of closure, AJSWA took on the challenge to keep the treasured assets accessible to the public,” he said.
“It was a significant gear shift for the AJSWA committee as volunteers who, have played an important grass-roots role fostering cultural, social and business relationships and bringing WA’s Australian and Japanese communities together through various activities and events,” he said.
After almost a year developing a business plan to establish JECCWA and undertaking negotiations with the WA Government to access the donated assets and premises, it was a very proud moment for AJSWA to formally open the doors to members and the public in February this year.