The Rotary Clubs of Melbourne, Australia and Osaka, Japan have been sister clubs since 1978.
This speech was delivered in Osaka, Japan on the occasion of the Rotary Club of Osaka's Centenary by 2022-23 Rotary Melbourne President, Adrian Nelson.
Greetings from President of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Adrian Nelson on the occasion of the Centenary of the Rotary Club of Osaka
Friday 18th November 2023
Over 40 years ago in 1978, the City of Melbourne and City of Osaka become sister cities. Our Rotary Clubs later became sister clubs. In this time, together we have had many opportunities for friendship and to benefit disadvantaged people in the world.
Internationally, as early as 2004, Osaka joined with us and the Rotary Foundation on a Cambodian Leprosy project for the early detection and diagnosis of leprosy with a view to treatment and cure.
We partnered again in 2008 to facilitate the Future Leaders Exchange Program with the City of Melbourne and Osaka.
In Australia, our sister club joined us on the Donydji Project in remote Australia providing solar power facilities elevating funds to 20million yen.
In 2014 we started the Looc water Project in the Philippines with Osaka as an International Partner to supply 3,000 residents with clean filtered drinking water.
The Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne is a member of our club.
The Rotary Club of Melbourne has travelled as a group to Osaka on three occasions, future leaders, 90th anniversary and now the 100th celebration. We are delighted to be here today.
We regret that you were not able to join us for our centenary in 2021 due to the global pandemic and your kind words of congratulations and gift were gratefully accepted.
With our activities together we have enhanced the friendship and goodwill between our two great Clubs and cities for the benefit of future joint projects. On Wednesday we met with the Mayor of Osaka and discussed the possibility to facilitate a new Future Leaders Exchange Program at the Osaka Expo.
On behalf of the Members of the Rotary Club of Melbourne we congratulate the Rotary Club of Osaka on your centenary and present you with this special gift of an Emu Egg that was hand carved by an indigenous Melbourne Artist. We hope you will proudly display our gift.
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Osaka!
