General News
28 March, 2025
From tourist to teacher in sister city
AN impromptu visit to Miura in 2017 planted the seed that will now see Brooke Altmann live and work in Warrnambool’s Japanese sister city for the next year.
Brooke successfully applied for the Warrnambool-Miura Cultural Exchange position – a long-running program that sees someone from Warrnambool live in Miura while working as an assistant language teacher in local schools.
Brooke’s friend was in the Cultural Exchange position at the time of her holiday to Japan eight years ago, and urged her to visit as part of her trip.
“I knew that Miura was Warrnambool’s sister city, but I hadn’t planned to go; my friend Courtney Mathew was there and she told me I had to see it; I ended up having the best time,” Brooke said.
“We drove around and saw all the sites and I immediately fell in love with the place.
“The vibes are very Warrnambool.
“It’s a coastal city atmosphere and I really saw the parallels and fell in love with it.”
Eight years on, and with teaching experience as a tutor at Melbourne University, Brooke can’t wait to make the transition from visitor to resident.
“You’re in a really special position because you’re not a tourist, you’re there as a member of the community and you’re integrated into this world that you wouldn’t see if you were just a visitor in Japan,” she said.
“I’ll be participating in festivals and doing things that the ordinary tourist wouldn’t get to see.”
Brooke will begin her role in April, with the position running for one year with the option of additional years.
“I’ll be teaching in a primary school, so I’m really excited to be able to share the culture of Warrnambool with the kids,” she said.
“I’ve heard that they all know about Warrnambool, so I’m excited to share my perspective of Warrnambool too, which includes the breakwater, Thunder Point and the coastal reserve.”
And with Japan in the midst of a tourism boom and many famous sites extremely busy, Brooke said that Miura was a hidden gem, and that anyone from Warrnambool would receive a warm welcome.
“I really want people who might be aware of the sister city partnership but haven’t thought about visiting before, to consider it because it’s actually a really beautiful place,” she said.
“If you’re wanting an interesting and unique day-trip or multi-day trip in Japan, definitely check out Miura.
“It’s only an hour away from Tokyo on the train, it’s situated in the most beautiful area, it’s coastal, you can go swimming… go check out Miura!”
Warrnambool began its sister city ties with Miura in 1992, with strong bonds of cultural exchange formed between members of both communities in the many years since.
Warrnambool houses the Miura Friendship Garden, and representatives from both cities have experienced each other’s hospitality, most recently with Miura Mayor Hideo Yoshida and a Japanese delegation visiting Warrnambool in August 2024.
