Quedjinup resident honoured by Japanese Government for promoting international relationships

A Quedjinup resident has been honoured by the Government of Japan for her contributions to enhancing international relationships through her promotion of a sister city exchange. The Government of Japan conferred the Order of the Rising Sun upon Quedjinup resident and local company director Pauline Vukelic in November last year. The Order of the Rising Sun — Gold and Silver Rays — is one of the highest conferred orders bestowed by the Emperor of Japan. Ms Vukelic has played a vital role in developing international relations as president of the Busselton-Sugito Sister City Association and former president of the former Bunbury-Setagaya Sister Cities Committee. Ms Vukelic’s long-standing passion for cultural exchange started in 1973 when, aged 17, she sailed to Kobe in Japan on a two-week voyage for her first exchange visit. After a four-week visit to the Japanese city, Ms Vukelic then made a two-week journey back home. “This first trip absolutely changed my life for ever,” she said. “I was home for just 10 days and then I travelled to Fukuoka in Japan for nearly 12 months on another exchange program.” Ms Vukelic was awarded a West Australian Scholarship in Japanese studies and moved to study at Keio University in Tokyo. In the following years, she has devoted herself to her volunteer role and has travelled to Japan more than 30 times in the past 50 years. “This honour is very humbling and I dedicated the award to my family and to the people I have volunteered with over the years,” she said. The Consulate-General of Japan offered its congratulations and sincere appreciation to Ms Vukelic for her efforts and achievements.