01/08/2026
Last Saturday we celebrated two of our community elders with a surprise party!
In Okinawan culture, 7️⃣3️⃣ is a big milestone birthday 🎉
Disguised as a ‘Christmas in July’ gathering, we successfully surprised Tamaki-san and Satsuki-san with a feast and lots of entertainment, as per any good Okinawan party.
Sydney Sanshin Club performed a birthday folk song they’d been practicing for months + Satsuki-san’s family performed a song together! There was also creative Eisa, Ryukyuan dance and even a couple songs on the banjo!
🎈 Tamaki-san was the first president of Sydney Okinawan Club in 1990. Without him we wouldn’t have this community today. He has lived in Sydney for over 45 years and worked as a chef!
🎈 Satsuki-san is a prominent figure in our community, having lived in Australia for over 50 years. She’s always at events and cooks everyone’s favourite Okinawan home cooking!