WA to contribute to a memorial to be erected in a Kobe park

17/1/97

Western Australia is to contribute to a memorial to be erected in a Kobe park in memory of the lives lost in the great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake two years ago.

The State Government's contribution was announced tonight by Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan at a reception for a photographic exhibition called 'Hyogo Reborn'.

The exhibition is a display of 50 amateur photos which won prizes in the Kobe Shimbun's annual photographic awards.

WA has shared a sister-state relationship with Hyogo Prefecture since 1981. The 1995 earthquake, which claimed more than 5,000 lives, was centred directly below the capital city of Kobe.

"The determination of the people of Kobe, with support from around Japan and the world, has seen Kobe survive and regrow," Mr Cowan said.

"The city is returning to its former state of being a vibrant international city, as evidenced by the photos here tonight."

The Hyogo Prefectural Government Cultural Centre in Perth organised a week of activities for children during the summer holidays, from January 13 to January 18. The activities have been taking place at the Colonnade Shopping Centre in Subiaco.

The Memorial Park project has been organised as a gift to the people of Hyogo by the Australia Japan Society (AJS).

It will cover approximately 100 sq m in a tourist park area being developed on Awaji Island. The materials are being supplied by WA companies with support from Mitsui & Co (Australia) Ltd.

The Hyogo Prefectural Government is providing the land, labour to construct the park and storage for all materials.

The WA Government is contributing $15,000 to the project.

The Department of Commerce and Trade has assisted with the project planning for the Memorial Park Project.

Mr Cowan, who visited Kobe 10 months after the earthquake, said it was a tribute to Japanese construction that while there was extensive damage to infrastructure, ports, roads and paths, a large majority of buildings remained in good condition.

"The Australia Japan Society has worked hard over the last 12 months to bring together sponsors, materials and other support to develop a project to build a memorial remembering those who lost their lives in the earthquake and hardship that followed," he said.

"The Government of WA will be providing the centrepiece for the memorial plus additional financial support as requested by the Australia Japan Society to allow the completion of the memorial park project."

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 8788