Japanese Guides Visit Ballarat 2012

Japanese scouts sample life in Ballarat

Article in The Ballarat Courier
By SHARNI CARROLL Aug. 14, 2012, midnight

BALLARAT turned on its finest winter weather for a group of Japanese Girl Scouts visiting the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

The Girl Scouts of Japan Troop 17 of Hyogo Council were in Australia for a week to celebrate the group’s 30th birthday.

The six Girl Scouts and three leaders were billeted out with families associated with the First Sebastopol Girl Guides, which has had a strong friendship with the Japanense group for many years.

The girls, aged 12 to 15, were excited to finally see some of Australia’s native animals at the Ballarat Wildlife Park last Wednesday.

First Sebastopol Girl Guides leader Jacinta Rehfisch said the visit was enlightening, not only for the Japanese students, but for many of the Ballarat Girl Guides as well.

“None of the Japanese girls can speak English, so it’s been interesting to see the girls communicate so well through games, outdoor sports, cooking and laughing and having fun together,” Ms Rehfisch said.

“It is a great experience for all of the Girl Guides and it opens up both cultures to all of the girls.”

The Japanese Girl Scouts also visited Sovereign Hill, Warrnambool and Melbourne.