Consul-General Hirayama attends the Port Hedland Air Raid 75th Anniversary Commemorative Event

July 2017

Consulate-General of Japan in Perth

On the 30th of July, Consul-General Hirayama participated in the events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Port Hedland. This was the first time a representative of the Japanese Government had been invited to such an event in Port Hedland.

1. Port Hedland Air Raid 75th Anniversary Commemorative Event

 From 11:30am a one hour ceremony before a memorial plaque near the Port Hedland International Airport. The event was attended by about 50 participants, including Port Hedland Mayor, Camilo Blanco, Chief Executive Officer, David Pentz, Member for Pilbara, Kevin Michel MLA, Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart Purves, Commanding Officer of The Pilbara Regiment, Chairman Port Hedland International Airport Group of Companies, the Hon. Cheryl Edwardes AM, Mr. Val Middleton President of RSL Port Hedland sub-branch and local residents. In Consul-General Hirayama’s speech, he said Japan will never forget that Japan had inflicted immeasurable damage and suffering on Port Hedland and other parts of Australia during the war and that they offer their sincerest condolences for the countless lives lost in the maelstrom of war. He also said that Japan was resolutely committed to never again repeating the tragedy of war. He noted that WA and Japan have developed a mutually beneficial relationship since the war and that that relationship should continue to grow and flourish.

2. Tour of Port Hedland

While in Port Hedland the Consul-General visited the following locations with connections to Japan:

(1) Port Hedland Pioneer Cemetery

This historic cemetery was in use between 1912 and 1968 and contains approximately 20 graves of Japanese people interred since the Meiji era.

(2) South Hedland Power Station

Completed last month and now in commercial operation, this natural gas power station, owned by TransAlta, was constructed by Japanese engineering firm IHI who installed the plant including the gas turbines and the combined cycle generation systems.

(3)BHP Iron Ore Export Facility

Port Hedland is the world’s largest iron ore exporting port, exporting over 460 million tons a year to the world including Japan. Among other things BHP can boast a huge export tonnage.

Consul-General Hirayama speaking at the commemorative event	Laying of floral wreaths	The South Hedland Power Station
Port Hedland Pioneer Cemetery	Loading iron ore in Port Hedland port