Shire of Harvey officially receives gifts after entering friendship city agreement with Japanese city Moka

Six months after signing a friendship city agreement via a Zoom call, the Shire of Harvey has received gifts from the Japanese city of Moka. The shire received the gifts that were offered during the signing ceremony held via videolink in June last year in person at last Tuesday’s council agenda briefing session. The gifts were a hand-woven Shire of Harvey logo made from their town’s cotton and a handmade bowl created by renowned artist Daisuke Iguchi. In exchange, the shire offered a picture taken by local photographer Haydn Jones, a bowl made from locally-sourced wood and Shire of Harvey T-shirts incorporating artwork from Noongar artist Ninette Comito. Shire president Paul Gillett said the shire was “absolutely delighted with the thoughtful gifts” from the City of Moka. “It was a beautfully made clay bowl from one of their renowned artists Daisuke Iguchi, which really showcases the talent in that region,” he said. “Making international friends is such an important part of bringing new opportunities to the community and we look forward to developing stronger ties with the City of Moka throughout 2023.” The friendship city agreement between the Shire of Harvey and the City of Moka aims to promote co-operation in tourism, culture, trade and commerce, as well as education and social welfare. The signing ceremony last year was opened with a welcome to country by Noongar elder Lesely Ugle, followed by speeches from Cr Gillett and City of Moka mayor Shinichi Ishizaka. Both parties shared promotional videos of each of their areas and reflected on previous relations through their schools’ sister city program. At the time, Mr Ishizaka said it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to make the agreement and highlighted Moka’s other friendship cities in the USA and Taiwan. “Let us foster the mutual prosperity and understanding between our countries and continue to nurture the next generation as citizens of the world to come,” he said. “Through this friendship we honestly hope that both the Shire of Harvey and Moka will become better friends and expand to sister school activities and cooperate in social, cultural and economic areas.”