William Donald Kibbler AM, who passed away on Monday, April 29, 2024, devoted much of his life to strengthening the bond between Cowra and Japan.
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He is best known for his work with Cowra's Japanese Garden.
A past Cowra Shire Councillor Mr Kibbler was also a founding member of the Cowra Sportsperson of the Year committee.
In 1973 Mr Kibbler put forward the idea to build the Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre and devoted decades of his life to Cowra Japan relations.
He worked full time as project manager from 1984-1986 constructing the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre from the design by Ken Nakajima of the garden and design of the buildings by Takeo Adachi and Tatsushi Aono.
In 1988 Mr Kibbler was appointed by Consolidated Garden Research of Japan (Ken Nakajima) to represent the company on the ongoing maintenance and development of the Garden and the built form within the complex.
Over three decades he visited Japan more than 90 times and studied Japanese architecture, Japanese garden landscape design and Japanese movable cultural heritage and in particular Japanese ceramics.
In 1988 Mr Kibbler was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to Australia - Japan Relations.
In his years traveling between Australia and Japan, he raised funding for garden maintenance and improvements as well as promoting and raising funds for Saburo Nagakura Park on Binni Creek Road, and Cowra's Sakura Avenue.
It is estimated he raised more than $5 million.
The Saburo Nagakura Foundation was established by Mr Kibbler in 1989 and built the Saburo Nagakura Park, as well as contributing to other Cowra and Japan projects.
The Foundation was created during the course of Mr Kibbler raising funds for Cowra's Cherry Tree avenue planted alongside Sakura Avenue.
He said at the time it was important that the work done by those who helped create the park was also recognised, not just himself.
About $600,000 was donated by the Kyushu Power Company and the Nagakura estate after Saburo's son Seiji took over to complete the park, he said.
Mr Kibbler said he was inspired to work on relations between Cowra and Japan when he saw a Japanese woman burying a lock of hair at one of the Japanese war graves.
Mr Kibbler's wife Marie predeceased him. He was 87. His funeral will be held at St John's Anglican Church, Cowra at 11am, Wednesday, May 8.
