My time at Obu City as an International Affairs Officer was very satisfying and rewarding. I enjoyed the warmth and camaraderie of my fellow Planning Division officers, including Nakamura-san, Shirahama-san, my supervisor Fukui-san and others. As the first officer of this sort, I was in a privileged position and enjoyed a warm welcome across the city, experiencing the open generosity of many people. One person in particular, Mrs Michiko Tabata, stands out as having communicated to the City my desire to stay in Japan longer, and so making this position possible in the first place at this time.

My days were filled with many interesting and varied activities. The sister-city relationship with the then City of St Kilda occupied much of my time, and I enjoyed composing and translating information materials, interpreting for exchange visits and helping organize itineraries. We also participated in the Australia Fair, a prefectural-wide promotion of the sister-state relationship with Victoria, with the help of my father, who personally selected and sent back to Obu many items of Australiana, which were snapped up within five minutes at our own fair!

I also gave many 'talks' to various community groups, which really consisted of a trip down memory lane, accompanied by slides, which most people seemed to enjoy very much as their window into another world and culture.

I felt that my small contribution was genuinely appreciated, which was very satisfying. I thank the City for giving me such an opportunity (especially the poor firemen who had to endure my English lessons!).