When a 15-metre-high snow sculpture took centre stage at a snow festival in Japan, it helped form a surprisingly powerful relationship between two islands — Hokkaido and Tasmania.
In 1989, a 15-metre high and 30-metre long snow and ice sculpture of Tasmania's Government House took centre stage at Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan.
It was one of many ambitious projects, led by Japan relationship manager for Tourism Tasmania Ken Takenaga, which pushed tourism beyond mainland Australia."It was the centrepiece of that year's presentation." Upon signing, Mr Fader followed the cue of his Japanese counterpart Kazuo Satsu, lifting his copy of the agreement skyward to an audience of 20 or 30 cameras.
The representatives were welcomed to the island with a dinner at Government House, hosted by then governor of Tasmania, Sir Phillip Bennett.The official residence of Tasmania's governor, one of the largest of its type in Australia, would feature at the snow festival.Tasmanian Peter Lutz holds a memento from his time as a competitor at Sapporo Snow Festival, representing his state in the event.
In subsequent decades, all kinds of dedications to Australia have appeared, and other Australian carving teams have participated.Emerald King, a humanities lecturer at the University of Tasmania, with a research focus on Japanese literature and popular culture, believes the relationship between the island nation and state has helped reframe how Australia is viewed in Japan.
For Mr Fader, the legacy of that chilly morning 35 years ago on the steps of Tasmania's replica government house is one of of "warmth and friendship".Get local news, stories, community events, recipes and more each fortnight.
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