CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE SHOYOEN JAPANESE GARDEN
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) invites the community to join the 20th anniversary celebration of the opening of the Shoyoen Sister City Garden.
The event will take place at Shoyoen Garden, located within the Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens in Coronation Drive on Sunday, 20 November 2022 from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.
The celebrations will feature:
- Open Tea House with Japanese tea making demonstrations;
- Musical entertainment by Tin Roof Jazz Band from Wellington and Taiko No Wa from Sydney;
- Performances by Sydney Fire Dancers;
- Food carts;
- Free floating lanterns (limited quantity) and
- Children’s activities including face painting, and a kite making workshop.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor, Mathew Dickerson said: “The Shoyoen Garden is a beautiful part of the Dubbo Regional Botanic Gardens and a relaxing space for our community to enjoy. The Shoyoen was gifted to Dubbo by our Sister City Minokamo in Japan, and is recognised as being one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens across Australia.”
“We appreciate the funding from NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program so we can celebrate the 20th anniversary since the Shoyoen Garden’s opening in November 2002 with the community,” Councillor Dickerson said.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the NSW government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program was about exactly that – reconnecting regional communities like Dubbo.
“We’re proud to support an event that will not only bring our local community together, but will bring people together across generations, across cultures, across cities and across nations,” Mr Saunders said.
DRC’s Sister City Officer, Kylie Sutherland, is looking forward to this milestone celebration: “The 20-year anniversary is a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of the Shoyoen. We are delighted that Mr Yoshiki Itazu will be in Dubbo to join in the celebrations as he oversaw the construction of the tea house by six construction workers in 2002 and was also involved in the design and construction of the ‘Sukiyamon’, the entrance gate to the garden,” she said.
“We have 23 Minokamo delegates visiting Dubbo to join us in marking the 20th anniversary milestone. While in the region, they will visit the Old Dubbo Gaol and Wellington Caves and of course attend the public celebrations at the Shoyoen on Sunday. They will enjoy a bowl of green tea in the tea house which remains open, offering free tea demonstrations,” Mrs Sutherland stated.
Community members are encouraged to bring a picnic basket, blanket or chairs to enjoy the music, food and activities during the event.
Entry to the event is free, with donations welcome via digital donation points located at entries.
The event is funded by NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program and the Friends of the Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden.
Last Edited: 14 Nov 2022