Congratulatory Remarks by Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima ...

(As delivered)
Congratulatory Remarks by Consul-General Hidenobu Sobashima
at the Conferment Ceremony for Mr Peter Shelley
Your Excellency the Hon Peter Underwood, the Governor of Tasmania and
Mrs Underwood,
Mr and Mrs Peter Shelley and Your Family,
The Hon Will Hodgman, Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania,
The Hon Paul Harris, representing the President of the Legislative Council,
The Hon Craig Farrell, Leader of Government Business in the Legislative
Council,
Lord Mayor Alderman Damon Thomas, Lord Mayor of Hobart,
Mr Alderman Doug Chipman, Mayor of Clarence,
Mr Darren Hine, Tasmania Police Commissioner,
Members of the Consular Corps,
Members of the Australia Japan Society Tasmania,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my great honour and pleasure to conduct this conferment ceremony for
Mr Peter Shelley with your presence here today.
At the outset, however, I have to make sad announcements.
His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito of Mikasa passed away on the 6 th of

June, and His Majesty the Emperor and the Imperial Families of Japan have
been mourning.
Here in Tasmania, the mother of Mr Peter Shelley passed away on the 8 th of
June.
I would like to offer my sincere condolences.
As read out a moment ago, the Emperor of Japan has conferred upon Mr
Peter C. Shelley, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon,
in recognition of his outstanding contribution and achievements in
promoting good relations between Japan and Australia.
Mr Shelley, or Peter if I may call him so, was born in October 1944 in Hobart.
He should have been a good student with many good friends, when he was
young.
In business, Peter owned and managed several fishery production companies
which exported to Japan, among other countries.
He established TASSAL’s branch in Hamamatsu City in Japan.
He was a member of the Australia Japan Business Cooperation Committee
from 1995 to 2005 and particularly its board from 1996 to 2004.
In 1997, Peter became the Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Tasmania.
He also became the Vice-Patron of the Australia-Japan Society Tasmania.
Ever since for the past 15 years, he has officially assumed and fulfilled his
responsibility for Japan and the Japan- Australia relationship.
He protected Japanese nationals in Tasmania.
He answered many questions asked by the local residents about matters
such as travels to Japan and Japanese education and culture.
He contributed to the promotion of the economic and cultural relationship
between Tasmania and Japan, including the sister-city relations between
Hobart and Yaizu and between Clarence and Akkeshi.
In 2003, Peter made a substantive contribution to the seminar on business
with Japan, organised by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and

Industry and supported by us, the Consulate-General of Japan.
In 2005, he served as a member of the organising committee for the Year of
Australia -Japan Exchange, when various events were held to commemorate
the 30 th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty on Australia Japan
Friendship and Cooperation.
He has been a member of the committee of the Fujii Scholarship Fund, which
gives students an opportunity to participate in the exchange programs of the
universities of Japan and Tasmania.
He also supports participants in the JET Programme, that is, the Japan
Exchange and Teaching Programme.
From April 2009 to March 2011 Peter was the Dean of the Consular Corps in
Tasmania.
He visited Japan more than 60 times.
The awards which Peter received include the following:
1982 - ‘Tasmanian Business Executive of the Year’ from the Hobart Chamber
of Commerce (Inc).
1990- ‘Advance Australia Ambassador’ from the Advance Australia Award.
1993- ‘Business Executive of the Year’ from the Tasmanian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, and also the Australia Primary Industry Export
Award.
1994- ‘Tasmanian Marketer of the Year’ Award from the Australian
Marketing Institute Awards for Excellence.
And now ‘The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon’ from the
Emperor of Japan.
Last March when I paid an official visit to Tasmania, Peter was so helpful
and instrumental in making my visit a very fruitful one.
In cooperation with the Protocol Office of the Department of Premier and
Cabinet, he prepared a very good and busy 5 day program for me.

In some events he even assumed the role of my driver.
I personally owe much to him.
At the background of his outstanding achievements, I understand there was
precious support by Mrs Shelley and his family.
Thus I would like to thank them also.
I hear that Peter is now interested in Men’s Shed programs.
If there is the understanding and support of his family, I am confident that
he will make additional successes.
Having said these, I would like to invite Mr Peter Shelley to respond. Peter