Pass the Baton: Commemorating 80 Years Since the End of WWII

Presented by The Japan Club of Sydney (JCS)
🗓️ Date & time – Saturday 16 August 
⏰ 1:00pm–3:00pm – Main Program
🔸 Optional activities from 3:00pm to 4:00pm (Film screening, Origami booth, Panel exhibition)
📍 The Auditorium at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre, Surry Hills
🎟️ Free event – RSVP essential

🕊️ 80 years on: A living witness to history

This year marks 80 years since the end of WWII. To honour this milestone, we are deeply privileged to welcome Keiko Ogura, a Hiroshima survivor (hibakusha), to Sydney. At just 8 years old, Keiko lived through the atomic bombing—today, she carries forward the memory, not as history, but as a call for peace.

This is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from someone who endured the unimaginable. Her powerful testimony reminds us of the human cost of war and the hope that still survives. A live Q&A will follow her speech.

💬 Event Highlights

• Testimony by Keiko Ogura
  One of the few survivors who shares her story in English, Keiko will recount the moment the bomb hit Hiroshima, its aftermath, and the enduring consequences.A Q&A session will follow.

• Reading Performance: The Face of Jizo『父と暮せば』
  An excerpt from the iconic Japanese play exploring grief and survivor’s guilt in post-war Hiroshima.While portraying the devastation of the atomic bomb and the survivors' emotional burden, the piece also honours the wishes and voices of those who were lost
  

• Learn about Hiroshima and Nagasaki  (optional)
  A panel exhibition exploring the reality of the atomic bombings, including their effects on health, society, and the lives of survivors.

• Screening ofHiroshima Mother’s Prayer (optional)
  A 30-minute documentary, featuring footage captured immediately after the atomic blast. The film presents a mother's perspective on the horrors of war and advocates for the abolition of nuclear weapons and the pursuit of world peace.

• Origami Activity: Folding Paper Cranes (optional)
  Join us in folding paper cranes, a traditional symbol of peace and hope. The cranes will be offered to the “Children’s Peace Monument” at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, expressing the wishes of people worldwide for a peaceful future.
  
  

Why this event matters

In an era of rising conflict, this event serves as both history and healing. In Australia, where few have access to this perspective, this is a moment for collective remembrance—and a gift to future generations.

It’s also a bridge. Between Japanese and Australian communities. Between past and present. Between knowledge and empathy.

We’re honoured to host this gathering in The Auditorium of the NSW Teachers Federation, whose generous support as our venue sponsor helps make this event possible.

🤝 About the Organiser

The Japan Club of Sydney (JCS) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led organisation founded in 1983. With over 350 member households, JCS is dedicated to preserving Japanese culture, promoting peace, and contributing to a more connected multicultural society in Australia.

🎟 Free Entry – RSVP Required

This event is free, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and partners. If you feel moved to contribute, you can:

• Make a donation to support the event here

• Share this invitation with your community

Together, we keep these stories alive.

For more event details and updates, please visit our website: https://www.passthebaton.au/

🙏 Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners

Premium Sponsor: Japan Airlines
Venue Sponsor: NSW Teachers Federation
Core Sponsor: Australian National Maritime Museum
Contributing Sponsors:NNA Australia, Sazae Pty Ltd
Event Partner: Omusubi Productions

With thanks to our supporters:
Consulate-General of Japan in Sydney, JAMS.TV, NET-GTAS, Japan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sydney, Japanese Society of Sydney, Katawara 

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Please note:
This event includes visual content and historical images related to the atomic bombings, which may be distressing for some viewers. Parental discretion is advised. We recommend that children under 15 be accompanied by an adult.

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Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this event takes place. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.