The Cowra Breakout Association selects a project to commemorate important anniversaries related to the original breakout. This year, on the 60th anniversary of the dedication of the War Cemeteries in Cowra, their project was the renewal of the information panel commemorating the contributions of the early members of the Cowra Returned and Services League sub-Branch to the care and maintenance of the Japanese War Cemetery. The Breakout Association, in cooperation with Cowra Shire Council, held an unveiling ceremony for the new panel on November 22nd.
The ceremony was attended by special guests the Japanese Consul General, Mr Osamu Yamanaka and the Vice Consul General Mr Katsumi Shimmura, the Mayor of Cowra Mr Paul Smith, the president of Cowra RSL sub-Branch Mr Nathan Flannagan and descendants of the original sub-Branch members who initiated the care of the Japanese War Cemetery.
Prior to the unveiling, Mr Tony Mooney OAM addressed the gathering to give a brief introduction, and a wreath was laid at the Australian War Cemetery by Mr Yamanaka, Mr Paul Smith, Mayor of Cowra and Mr Nathan Flanagan, President of Cowra RSL sub-Branch.
The guests then moved to the sight of the Information Panel, where Mr Graham Apthorpe introduced each of the speakers.
In his address to the assembled guests, Mr Yamanaka reflected on the close connections between Japan and Australia which have been fostered by the relationship between Cowra and Japan. This was his first visit to Cowra since his appointment to the post in October, and he expressed his wish that it was the first of many. Mr Smith talked about the ongoing relationship between Cowra and its sister city and council, relating some anecdotes about past exchanges. Mr Flanagan gave a more detailed recount of the efforts of the original sub-Branch members to care for and maintain the existing graves, and the later decision to relocate the graves of all Japanese citizens and war dead from all over Australia to the Cowra War Cemetery.
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The Information Panel was then unveiled by the descendants of those original sub-Branch members.
