SOCIETY of ASIAN PACIFIC
(Central Coast – Gosford Branch)

Society of Asian Pacific (SOAP) Central Coast - Gosford Branch was established in 1999. The Central Coast branch is the only SOAP branch in Australia and it embraces all of Japan, not just Gosford’s sister city of Edogawa or Wyong’s sister city of Tanabe.

While SOAP works particularly closely with Gosford City Council and the Gosford Sister City Association to strengthen the bond with Edogawa, the committee also seeks to build relationships with other cities and regions throughout Japan such as Tama City - which also has a local branch of SOAP.

The strength of the relationship with Edogawa is the reason a Central Coast branch of SOAP was formed as the society is a relationship-building organisation between Australia and Japan.

SOAP is a non-profit organisation and the committee consists of local community representatives.

SOAP has coordinated a number of visits to Japan over the years including official visits to Gosford’s sister city of Edogawa. It has also helped coordinate visits to Japan by Central Coast Tennis Academy.

SOAP has hosted a number of visits to Gosford by members of Edogawa Homestay Club. A recent visit involved a delegation of 50 residents from Edogawa who entertained and performed at the Australian Springtime Flora Festival in September 2006. Members of the delegation presented a range of traditional and cultural activities and were a major attraction at the four-day festival.

Mina Sanders is a Foundation Member of Society of Asian Pacific – Central Coast, Gosford Branch. Mina has been instrumental in the success of the committee and has many friends in Japan and Australia. Mina was recognised for her commitment to building relations between the two countries with a special award presented by Edogawa Mayor Masami Tada. The presentation took place, appropriately, at the Australia-Japan Pavilion at the 2006 Australian Springtime Flora Festival.

To contact SOAP, write to:
The Secretary
PO Box 7021
Toowoon Bay NSW 2261
AUSTRALIA