Travel Tales from Japan - with Video Journalist Emma Sampson
Monday November 19th, 2007
The four day World Skills competition ended on Sunday.
It was an exhausting four days for the Skillaroos who worked so hard to complete their projects on time. We now eagerly await the results that will be announced at tomorrow night's closing ceremony.
The buzz in Shizuoka surrounding the competition has been amazing. The whole town has turned on the hospitality to welcome guests from over 40 countries around the world. And most exciting of all Mt Fuji has been visible almost every single day. 
Apparently it is very rare to see Mt Fuji as it is usually covered by cloud but we have seen it every day except one. The weather has also been exceptional. Our first few days here felt like Summer. It has gotten quite a bit cooler over the last few days but the sun still shines.
Prior to the competition the Skillaroos met with the Australian Ambassador in Tokyo and got to explore a little bit in Japan's capital city. When it came to lunch the phrase "What do you think this is?" was heard quite a few times.
I am also a bit of a Barry McKenzie when it comes to cultural exchanges but fortunately I have Leilah (who can speak and read a fair bit of Japanese) at my side. One of my most exciting discoveries has been coffee in a can, it comes hot from a vending machine!
Australia is not only represented in the World Skills competition but in the Abilympics. The Abilympics sees people with disabilities compete in over 30 skill areas.
On Saturday I went to visit the Abilympics site and met with Max Magain, the competitor in photography.
The Australian competitors were going great guns and fingers crossed we'll take home some medals there too.
Find out more at the Abylimpcs Australian and international websites.
Wednesday 21st November, 2007
Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! From Japan! Big Yay! Australia has won a grand total of five medals. One Gold, three Silver and one Bronze. And almost every competitor received a medal of excellence which is a huge achievement.
We are now ranked fifth in the world which is our best result ever!
And the medal winners are:
Dale McMullen took out the gold for Automotive Technology,
Stuart Aisbett received a silver for Vehicle Painting,
John Rudge received silver for Electrical Installation
Joel Drew received silver for Jewellery and
Suwanna Rattananikom received bronze for Cookery.
All the Skillaroos have done really well. particularly as so many of the categories had less than a mark separating first position and fourth position.
Most will be leaving Japan tomorrow night and returning to Australia on Friday morning.
