Tony Sansom & Mayor Tada
;SOAP celebrates 10 years in 2009
  


www.soapcentralcoast.com.au

  
  
  


 
EARTHQUAKE and TSUNAMI DISASTER

Members of SOAP Central Coast are devastated by the earthquake and tsunami disaster of Friday 11 March 2011. The reports and statistics are overwhelming.

It is difficult to put our thoughts and feelings into words but all SOAP members send love, best wishes and prayers to the people of Japan.

Gosford City has a strong link with Japan through its sister city of Edogawa. SOAP Central Coast also has a connection to Sendai, the hardest hit area with an exchange of tennis delegations with the Central Coast Tennis Academy and the Sendai City Tennis Association in 2008 and 2009.

If you would like to help those affected by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster, The Salvation Army is coordinating a special Japan Disaster Appeal. You can find out more and donate online at http://salvos.org.au/

THE SIGN OF CARING

A Condolence Book for Japan at the Gosford-Edogawa Commemorative Garden captured the thoughts and prayers of numerous people. Among those who have signed the book are two former Mayors of Gosford City, Malcolm Brooks OAM, Chair of the Gosford Sister City Association and Tony Sansom OAM, Chair of the Society of Asian Pacific (SOAP) Central Coast.

“It is absolutely heartbreaking,” says Mr Sansom, “and difficult to comprehend the enormity of this disaster. The statistics are devastating and we cannot imagine how it must be for the people of Japan. The effects of this event will last for years to come.”

“Gosford has strong connections with Japan, particularly through our sister city of Edogawa,” says Mr Brooks. “Local schools, sporting and cultural groups have made lifelong friends and associations over many years. It is important they know we care.” “They can take some comfort and strength knowing people around the world are sending their best wishes, support and prayers,” says Mr Sansom.

About SOAP

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.

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